The countywide mask order has ended.
The Jefferson County Health Department Board of Trustees did not extend the order at its meeting today, so it expired at 5 p.m.
While the agenda for today’s board meeting included a vote on the mask order, all five board members agreed at the start of the meeting to remove the item from the agenda.
The order, which originally went into effect Nov. 27 and was extended three times after that, required people in the county to wear face masks in public spaces when social distancing could not be maintained, but it did not call for any type of fine or penalty for people who violate it.
It was a joint order with the county government and was intended to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Even though the order was not extended, Health Department officials say it’s important to continue taking step to curb the spread of the virus.
“While there are many opinions on both sides of this issue, the Health Department and the county agree that this is not the time to let our collective guard down,” according to a written statement from the Health Department. “We, as a county, need to continue to practice social distancing, good hygiene, obtain a vaccine if desired, stay home when sick and wear masks as a personal choice even though not ordered by public agencies.”
Other meeting news
Also at the start of today’s board meeting, board member Suzy Davis made a motion to remove the word “unverified” that was used in the minutes from the Feb. 25 meeting to describe data she presented during the meeting.
“I believe that the secretary that takes the minutes should not make conclusions,” Davis said.
The board voted 4-1 to approve the minutes without removing the word. Davis cast the only no vote.
Also during today’s meeting Health Department Director Kelley Vollmar released an updated operational policy for school age children. She said the policy follows Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and now requires students to maintain 3 feet of social distance rather than 6 feet.
Vollmar said the 12-page document may be viewed on the department’s website at jeffcohealth.org/unite-jeffcomo.
COVID-19 stats
The Health Department reported 48 new COVID-19 cases today, bringing the total number of cases in the county to 21,856 since the first ones were reported in March 2020.
Of those cases, 1,337 have been connected to long-term care facilities.
A total of 231 COVID-19-related deaths have been reported since the pandemic began.
Vaccines
The Health Department expects on April 1 to hold the first COVID-19 vaccination clinic in the building it recently leased at 1275 N. Truman Blvd. in Festus, which previously housed a Schnucks store and before that a Shop ‘n Save store.
Vollmar said the goal is to vaccinate 1,400 people at the April 1 clinic.
She said the Health Department plans to hold clinics in the 60,000-square-foot building four days a week.
Vollmar said the National Guard will be on hand to help run the clinics every Tuesday and Wednesday in April.
The Health Department already has provided 7,347 COVID-19 vaccine doses at clinics around the county, the agency reported in a written statement on Wednesday (March 24).
Anyone who wants to get the vaccine through the Health Department must first sign up for it by completing an interest survey at jeffcohealth.org. Then, the Health Department will contact those people to make appointments when they’re eligible and vaccines are available for them. People without internet access may call the Health Department registration line at 636-789-8941.
Comtrea, which also offers health care services around the county, has upcoming vaccine clinics, too, including one on March 30. Nathanael Herbert, Comtrea’s marketing communications manager, said 400 vaccines will be provided at that clinic.
He said starting in April, Comtrea will offer 400 second doses every Wednesday in Festus and Arnold, with 200 second doses given at each location.
Comtrea also gives all vaccines by appointment only and will contact people who have registered for the vaccine and who are eligible to receive it under the state’s distribution plan to set up the appointments. To register with Comtrea, visit comtrea.org/vaccine-inquiry.
Only those who are included in Phase 1A, Phase 1B Tier 1, Phase 1B Tier 2 and IB Tier 3 of the state’s vaccine distribution plan may receive the vaccines. However, the Health Department said it is still focusing on vaccinating those from the earliest three phases.
For more information about the state’s vaccine plan, go to covidvaccine.mo.gov.
Mercy also has created an online sign-up method to help distribute vaccines to those eligible under the state’s vaccination plan. To sign up with Mercy, go to mercy.net/MOVaccine.
Other hospital systems and pharmacies also are registering people for the vaccines.
To find a local vaccine site, visit vaccinefinder.org.
