The City of St. Joseph has established a centralized COVID-19 phone number for residents to call, 271-4613. The COVID-19 information line will be answered Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) is operating a COVID-19 hotline, 877-435-8411. Find COVID-19 Community Testing Events or call the hotline for test locations. Citizens can also find current COVID-19 information on the DHSS website. The hotline is operated by medical professionals and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and the website is updated regularly.
The city of St. Joseph Health Department has limited public access to ensure proper physical distancing and help reduce the spread of virus. Masks are required at Patee Market. Please contact the health department for information about our services at 271-4636. The Social Welfare Board is providing essential medical, dental and women's health services. Please call their clinic 233-5188 to schedule an in person or telehealth appointment.
The City of St. Joseph continues to closely monitor updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) regarding the outbreak of Coronavirus or COVID-19.
TIER 1A VACCINE DISTRIBUTION
The City of St. Joseph Health Department must receive a declaration of interest from Tier 1A health-care providers in order to be included in the count the health department submits to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services for COVID-19 vaccine.
Tier 1A includes dental providers, optometrists and ophthalmologists, home health and hospice agencies, mental health providers, physical therapy providers, chiropractors, and others that require "patient facing" medical services. Respond to the survey no later than Thursday, December 31, 2020. The survey link is https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/COVIDVacClinic
Tier 1A Long Term Care Facilities in Buchanan County receive vaccine via pharmacies.
QUARANTINE GUIDANCE
The City of St. Joseph Health Department contact tracers work seven days a week (minus holidays) reaching out to positive COVID-19 cases in Buchanan County. The calls consist of questions related to the case's health, people they were around during the time they are assumed to be contagious, and to give guidance on steps to take during isolation and the time-frame for ending their isolation period. There have been changes to the quarantine guidelines and protocol, outlined in press releases found below.
One significant change is how "Contacts" are notified that they have been exposed to coronavirus. The positive case is now responsible for calling people they may have exposed during the time they are considered to be contagious. The number of new cases the health department receives daily has increased to a level that contact tracers must prioritize case investigation over reaching those the case may have exposed. During the case investigation, contact tracers coach the positive case on speaking to their contacts and further guidance is found by clicking the button QUARANTINE GUIDELINES. The QUARANTINE LETTER button may be used by those who need documentation of their quarantine.
Symptoms of COVID-19 may appear 2-14 days after exposure and include:
Fever and/or chills
New loss of taste and/or smell
Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea
Children have similar symptoms though generally milder illness
This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.
Stay home - physical distancing and sheltering in place will stop the spread if universally enacted.
Wash hands - use soap and water, scrub thoroughly and use separate towels. If soap and water are unavailable, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol or containing a sanitizing agent.
Wear a cloth face covering when in public.
Keep your distance from others when in public - six feet of space is recommended.
Cover coughs and sneezes to protect those around you.
Do not touch your face.
Disinfect surfaces. This is a new virus, and as such, not everything is known about how it spreads or how long it can live outside a host body. Preliminary findings suggest that in some circumstances, the virus can live for several days on some surfaces (https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/new-coronavirus-stable-hours-surfaces).
CALL your physician's office if you feel ill and think you have contracted COVID-19. If you experience severe respiratory distress, call for an ambulance and describe your symptoms and that you suspect COVID-19.
Additional guidance can be found here
Prevent the Spread if You Are Sick (link)
Stop the Spread of Germs (PDF)
COVID-19 Fact Sheets:
I'm feeling sick, but have NO known exposure to COVID-19 (PDF)
I have been around someone with CONFIRMED COVID-19 (PDF)
I have confirmed or suspected COVID-19 (PDF)
I am caring for someone with COVID-19 (link)
CDC: Symptoms, Home Care, Disinfecting, More (link)
Additional Sites for trusted information include:
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS)
The National Institutes of Health (NIH)
In-depth COVID-19 information in other languages:
CDC Spanish
CDC Others
Office of Refugee & Immigrant Assistance
City of St. Joseph Health Department Emergency Preparedness
The City of St. Joseph Health Department is in regular contact with regional healthcare providers, communicable disease and infection control specialists, and emergency preparedness and response personnel. Should concerns develop with regional impact, these partnerships will prove to be an invaluable asset in information sharing and response to protect the public. The City Council and Mayor are making decisions to protect our community. Additional updates to these actions can be found on the city's website.
The Senate passed a multibillion-dollar emergency aid package to confront the economic impacts of the coronavirus. Businesses and individuals wishing to learn more about assistance should visit benefits.gov.
Press Release 2020-12-23 Health Department COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Planning
Press Release 2020-12-04 Quarantine Guidelines Adapted
Press Release 2020-11-30 Community Testing Event Dec 5
Press Release 2020-11-24 Health Department Compelled to Adjust Contract Tracing Process
Press Release 2020-11-05 Community Testing Event
Press Release 2020-07-07 Today Health Department Clinic Re-Opening for Immunizations
Press Release 2020-06-29 Health Department Clinic Re-Opening for Immunizations
Press Release 2020-06-26 Continue Safe Distancing and Face Mask Use
Press Release 2020-06-08 Community Testing Important
Press Release 2020-06-03 Community Testing Site
Press Release 2020-05-12 Public Health and Contact Tracing
Press Release 2020-03-23 Health Dept Takes Measures to Reduce Exposure
Press Release 2020-03-18 Amended Declaration of State of Emergency (PDF)
Press Release 2020-03-13: COVID-10 Panel Discussion on Mon, Mar 16 (PDF)
Press Release 2020-03-12: DHSS COVID-10 Hotline Opens (PDF)
Press Release 2020-03-02: Health Department Helps Community Prepare (PDF)
Press Release 2020-02-02: Coronavirus Update (PDF)