Chris Gilliam, Director of the Howell County Health Department announced today that Missouri health officials have released notification of the first COVID-19 death in Missouri, adding that the death had occurred in Boone County Missouri. He reported that the Health Department is working with OMC and local providers in an effort of getting symptomatic/sick individuals tested. Gilliam stressed that the testing being conducted locally has been limited as the result of Center for Disease control and Infection’s (CDC) current criteria for testing. The limitation on testing has been implemented due to a lack of test kits available as well as the limited number of testing laboratories capable to conduct the testing. Each of these issues are currently being addressed by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services at this time.
Testing criteria under the current Interim Missouri COVID-19 Person Under Investigation (PUI) definition include:
Fever or signs/symptoms of lower respiratory illness (e.g. cough or shortness of breath) AND Any person, including healthcare workers , who has had close contact with a laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patient within 14 days of symptom onset.
Fever and signs/symptoms of a lower respiratory illness (e.g., cough or shortness of breath) requiring hospitalization AND A history of travel from affected geographic areas within 14 days of symptom onset.
Fever with severe acute lower respiratory illness (e.g., pneumonia, ARDS) requiring hospitalization and without alternative explanatory diagnosis (e.g., influenza) AND No source of exposure has been identified.
Fever and signs/symptoms of a lower respiratory illness (e.g., cough or shortness of breath) without alternative explanatory diagnosis (e.g., influenza), not hospitalized or considered severe AND A history of travel from affected geographic areas within 14 days of symptom onset.
Areas with Sustained (Ongoing) Transmission include:
Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City Western Pacific Japan South Korea China Eastern Mediterranean Iran King County/Seattle, Washington, USA Westchester County, New York, USA Santa Clara County, California, USA
Gilliam stated that currently, Burton Creek Medical Clinic is offering testing for their patient population meeting the criteria listed above. Their testing is also being extended to patients whose primary care provider is not currently testing, if upon a medical evaluation, testing is deemed warranted by their physician. People who fall into one of these categories need to phone the clinic in advance of their arrival. The clinic has established a process in which they can test people from their vehicle.
In addition, Southern Missouri Community Health has modified their operations in response to the pandemic and are also providing testing for their patients as well. As with the other clinic, symptomatic people are encouraged to call in advance to showing up at the clinic.
Older adults and people who have underlying chronic medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be higher at risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness. People at higher risk for serious illness should contact their healthcare provider, even if their illness is mild.
If you are very sick get medical attention immediately. If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. Emergency warning signs include:
Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
New confusion or inability to arouse
Bluish lips or face
Total number of patients tested at Missouri State Public Health Laboratory and CDC as of March 19th, 2020:
Patients tested 397
Negative (not infected) 369
Deaths 1
Positive (infected) 28
To date there have been a total of 17 tests submitted to lab for testing in Howell County. All of which have tested negative for the COVID-19 virus.
Gilliam stated, “There are community task force meetings underway to determine how to best contain further spread through mitigation efforts and praised all those involved for their commitment to the health and safety of the community.”
