Jackson County Health Department will offer the following COVID-19 testing locations March 1—5:
 
Monday:  Lee’s Summit
This is a Drive-Thru
505 NW Blue Parkway, Lee’s Summit 64063
Registration link: https://jacohd.jotform.com/210316143014841
 
Tuesday: Grandview
This is not a drive-thru clinic
The View: Grandview- The View Community Center  13500 Byars Rd., Grandview MO 64030.
Registration link: https://jacohd.jotform.com/210316415814851
 
Wednesday: Blue Springs
 This is not a drive thru clinic
Vesper Hall 400 NW Vesper St. Blue Springs
Registration link: https://jacohd.jotform.com/210325278214852
 
Thursday: Lee’s Summit
 This is a drive-thru
505 NW Blue Parkway, Lee’s Summit 64063
Registration link: https://jacohd.jotform.com/210316279314854
 
Friday: Independence
Not a drive-thru
Independence Uptown Farmers Market- 211 W Truman Rd., Independence MO 64050
Registration Link: https://jacohd.jotform.com/210325192714852

​     After brutal cold weather caused schools and businesses to close, headaches with frozen pipes, water main breaks, and dangerous travel conditions the week of February 15th, the National Weather Service Kansas City projects high temperatures in the upper 40s to 50s by early next week.
     While the area welcomes the rise in temps, a downward trend in COVID-19 cases is welcome news as well.
     According to data from Missouri’s Show Me Strong Recovery plan website, as of February 16th, cases are down 50.1% and deaths down 28.6% compared to the prior seven days in Jackson County. The past seven days, the County has reported 241 positive cases and 5 deaths.
     Officials stress mask wearing, social distancing, regular hand washing, and monitoring of symptoms are still critical steps to continuing the downward trend.
 

Jackson County Health Department will offer the following COVID-19 testing locations February 22—26:
 
Monday:  Lee’s Summit
This is a Drive-Thru
505 NW Blue parkway, Lee’s Summit 64063
Registration link: https://jacohd.jotform.com/210315584614855
  
Tuesday: Grandview
This is not a drive-thru clinic
The View: Grandview- The View Community Center  13500 Byars Rd., Grandview MO 64030.
Registration link: https://jacohd.jotform.com/210316527514852      
 
Wednesday: Blue Springs
This is not a drive thru clinic
Vesper Hall 400 NW Vesper St. Blue Springs
Registration link: https://jacohd.jotform.com/210324896314858
 
Thursday: Lee’s Summit
This is a drive-thru
505 NW Blue Parkway, Lee’s Summit 64063
Registration link: https://jacohd.jotform.com/210316333014842
      
Friday: Independence
Not a drive-thru
Independence Uptown Farmers Market- 211 W Truman Rd., Independence MO 64050
Registration Link: https://jacohd.jotform.com/210324687414857

Jackson County Health Department will offer the following COVID-19 testing locations next week (February 15-19):
 
Monday:  Lee’s Summit
This is a Drive-Thru
Lee’s Summit- 505 NW Blue parkway, Lee’s Summit 64063
Registration link: https://jacohd.jotform.com/210315823614851

Tuesday: Grandview
This is not a drive-thru clinic
Metro Christian Fellowship- 2217 High Grove Rd. Grandview, Mo. 64030
Registration link: https://jacohd.jotform.com/210345487427862

Wednesday: Blue Springs
This is not a drive thru clinic
Blue Springs- Vesper Hall 400 NW Vesper St. Blue Springs
Registration link: https://jacohd.jotform.com/210325495614857

Thursday: Lee’s Summit
This is a drive-thru
Lee’s Summit- 505 NW Blue Parkway, Lee’s Summit 64063
Registration link: https://jacohd.jotform.com/210316381814853

​Friday: Independence
Not a drive-thru
Independence- Independence Uptown Farmers Market- 211 W Truman Rd., Independence MO 64050
Registration Link: https://jacohd.jotform.com/210324505414846

Jackson County Health Department will offer the following COVID-19 testing locations next week (February 8- January 12):
 
Monday:  Lee’s Summit
This is a Drive-Thru
Lee’s Summit- 505 NW Blue parkway, Lee’s Summit 64063
Registration link: https://jacohd.jotform.com/210106123350132
 
Tuesday: Grandview
This is not a drive-thru clinic
Grandview- The View: Grandview- The View Community Center  13500 Byars Rd., Grandview MO 64030.
Registration link: https://jacohd.jotform.com/210105416754144
 
 
Wednesday: Blue Springs
This is not a drive thru clinic
Blue Springs- Vesper Hall 400 NW Vesper St. Blue Springs
Registration link: https://jacohd.jotform.com/210105362039140
 
Thursday: Lee’s Summit
This is a drive-thru
Lee’s Summit- 505 NW Blue Parkway, Lee’s Summit 64063
Registration link: https://jacohd.jotform.com/210105591012135
 
Friday: Independence
Not a drive-thru
Independence- Independence Uptown Farmers Market- 211 W Truman Rd., Independence MO 64050
Registration Link: https://jacohd.jotform.com/210105705139142
 

     Amid signs that COVID-19 is loosening its grip on Missouri, the state Senate this week will hold hearings on coronavirus liability protections while the state House is home as leaders attempt to control a Capitol Building outbreak.
     The Department of Health and Senior Services on Tuesday reported 1,357 new COVID-19 infections and it marked the third consecutive day of reporting fewer than 1,500 cases since the first week of October. And the 7-day positive rate on tests, 12.7 percent, is down 4.7 percentage points over the past week.
     Republican leadership in the House didn’t detail how many lawmakers are sick or in quarantine from exposure when they canceled this week’s session. There were 11 members absent last week during a roll call vote that defeated a proposed rule change to require masks in the House chamber.
     The leadership has not stated whether regular sessions will resume next week.
     On the Senate side of the building, the Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence Committee will hold hearings Tuesday on two bills shielding employers and business owners from lawsuits alleging they allowed exposure to COVID-19. That will be followed Wednesday with hearings in the Senate Health and Pensions Committee on bills limiting the scope and duration of local health orders.
     One bill, sponsored by Sen. Rick Brattin, R-Harrisonville, scheduled for a hearing Wednesday would exempt religious worship services from health restrictions and barring lawsuits from people who contract COVID-19 during services.
     Senate hearings will have audio streaming but no online video.
     The indicators that the pandemic is easing in Missouri as it rages elsewhere have been visible in several indicators in recent weeks. The lower daily counts are driving down the 7-day average of reported cases, which fell below 2,000 per day for the first time since late October.
     There are also fewer local health jurisdictions reporting new cases. Of 117 local jurisdictions listed on state reports, there were new cases in 89 on Tuesday, the second day with new cases in fewer than 100 health departments since early October.
     Missouri’s rate of new cases has been below the national average for eight consecutive weeks. The result is that the overall per capita infection rate in the state, which rose above the national average on Oct. 10, fell below the national average on Saturday.
     As of Monday, Missouri had an overall infection rate of 7,150 cases per 100,000 residents. The national infection rate was 7,244 per 100,000 people.
     The vaccines being administered are already having a positive effect for the health care workers who were first in line, Springfield’s CoxHealth CEO Steve Edwards wrote in a Monday tweet.
     He reported that 6,658 of the company’s 12,500 health care workers had received a first dose and those employees would start receiving their booster shots on Tuesday. 
     “Total daily employee infections are already down 50%!” Cox wrote.
     According to data from the CDC, Missouri has administered about one-third of the 528,000 doses received so far, with about 153,000 people receiving a first dose.
     Hospitalizations, which health experts consider a lagging indicator, are also showing some improvement. The total number of inpatients stood at 2,392 on Saturday, the first time the tally has been below 2,400 since Nov. 10.
 
     Rudi Keller covers the state budget, energy and the legislature. He’s spent 22 of his 30 years in journalism covering Missouri government and politics, most recently as the news editor of the Columbia Daily Tribune. Keller has won awards for spot news and investigative reporting.
www.missouriindependent.com

​     Jackson County issued a new health order on January 13th, amending dining restrictions for bars and restaurants.
     Under the new health order, Jackson County bars and restaurants will be allowed to serve food and alcohol until midnight with a hard exit for all patrons at 12:30am. All other provisions related to indoor dining remain in effect. 
     The new order takes effect at 12:01 am Thursday, January 14, 2021 and does not apply to businesses in the cities of Kansas City, Missouri or Independence.
     The new health order relaxes guidance from a previous order issued in November 2020 that required bars and restaurants to close at 10:00 p.m. due to a resurgence of COVID-19 cases in Jackson County.
“Let me be clear – our situation has not improved over the past two months. COVID-19 cases are up, our 14-day percent positive remains high as well as hospital capacity,” Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. said.
     “However, to remain consistent with neighboring jurisdictions, lessen confusion among residents and create fairness for Eastern Jackson County businesses, we have decided to move forward in this manner. It is still dangerous to gather in large groups, so I urge residents to remain vigilant in their efforts to prevent the spread of the virus.”
Residents and businesses with questions about the new health order should contact the Jackson County Health Department by phone at (816) 404-9883 or via email at  COVID19@tmcmed.org.
 

     The Jackson County Health Department (JACOHD) has received its first shipment of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccination clinics began January 6th.    
     JACOHD is following the state of Missouri’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan. The state is currently in Phase 1A of distribution, which focuses on long-term care facility residents and staff as well as patient-facing healthcare workers.
     This week’s appointments were made available to those who are in Phase 1A who filled out the department’s COVID-19 vaccine survey tool. These appointment slots have filled up, but more appointments for Phase 1A individuals will be available in the coming weeks.
     JACOHD encourages all individuals who live or work in Jackson County and are interested in receiving the vaccine to fill out the survey. As the vaccine becomes available to future phases, JACOHD will contact individuals who completed the survey with further instructions on scheduling an appointment. The survey may be accessed at buff.ly/34QRYBR .
     The survey asks for contact information, occupation, and pre-existing medical conditions. Responses from the survey will help JACOHD determine which phase of the state’s vaccination plan residents fall under. 
     “This is one way that we can get information out to individuals as quickly as possible,” Jackson County Health Department Director Bridgette Shaffer said. “We know people are looking for information, and we want to provide access to it whenever it becomes available.” 
     When weekly slots open up, appointments are first-come, first-served to each group. Appointments are filling up quickly, and it is recommended that people sign up as quickly as possible to secure their desired time.
     Per the guidance provided by the CDC, Pfizer COVID-19 vaccinations will not be provided to those under the age of 16.
For more information on the vaccine distribution plan, visit https://covidvaccine.mo.gov/.
 

     Residents in the nine-county Kansas City metropolitan area in need of a COVID-19 test can now find comprehensive testing location information on PrepareMetroKC.org, the region’s resource for emergency planning.
     The Greater Kansas City COVID-19 Testing Calendar is available at PrepareMetroKC.org/Testing. It compiles information from multiple agencies and organizations in the region, including health clinics, public health departments, hospitals and free community events.
     Guidance about minimum age, cost and pre-registration for each testing location are included on the calendar, when possible. Information about commercial testing locations is also available.
     “There are many opportunities for COVID-19 testing in the region. This calendar aims to help Kansas City residents easily find information on where to go,” Marlene Nagel, director of community development at the Mid-America Regional Council, which supports PrepareMetroKC.org, said. 
     “Getting tested for COVID-19 is critical because it’s the only way to know for sure who has the virus and who doesn’t. If you have the virus but don’t know it, you could unintentionally spread it to loved ones and across your community.”
     COVID-19 testing is safe and secure. Here are frequently asked questions about testing:
     Is it safe to get tested? Testing locations follow Centers for Disease Control guidelines to reduce the spread of COVID-19, including implementing social distancing, mask-wearing and cleanliness.
     When should someone get tested? If you have coronavirus symptoms, such as a fever, cough or shortness of breath, you need to get tested. If you’ve been in close contact with someone who has the virus, you need to get tested — even if you don’t have symptoms.
     Should I get tested before the holidays? Local public health officials emphasize that no gathering is safe. If you plan to see family and friends, get a COVID-19 test so you don’t unintentionally spread the virus. If you test positive or have symptoms, stay home.
     Are test results private? Yes. Only health care providers and local or state public health departments will have information about test results. They will not share names or contact information with any other agencies.
 

     In a recorded phone message and subsequent email on November 16th, Grain Valley Schools Superintendent Marc Snow informed district parents that effective Wednesday, November 18th, all schools will temporarily transition to 100% virtual instruction. Below is the transcript of Snow's message and additional details provided in the district email:

“Good evening,
This is Marc Snow, Superintendent for Grain Valley Schools. I call you tonight with an important update that affects families at all of our schools.

Our ability to staff our schools and programs has only gotten worse since my letter to you last Thursday. Today, only 58% of our absences were filled by substitutes, down from 73% last week. The projected sub fill rates for the rest of this week does not show improvement. Therefore, we have made the difficult decision to temporarily shift to 100% virtual for all schools beginning this Wednesday, November 18.

Elementary and early childhood students will return to in-person learning after Thanksgiving, but our middle schools and high school will remain 100% virtual through the Christmas Holiday. Middle school and high school students will return to the hybrid model beginning January 4.

Our Valley Kids program is available at Prairie Branch (for Prairie Branch and Matthews students) and at Sni-A-Bar Elementary (for Sni and Stony Point students) through Tuesday, November 24. This program is available for current Valley Kids families who absolutely rely on it, but we encourage families to utilize other daycare options if available.
The virtual instruction our students receive in the days and weeks ahead will look very different from what everyone experienced last spring. Our teachers have scheduled class times that students are expected to call into and the work students are engaged in will reflect the new content they would have been learning had they been in person.
This is not where we wanted to be and we did not want to go full virtual, but having so many staff out and with not enough subs, gives us little choice. We have held on as long as we could.

More details are being sent to families and staff in an email yet tonight and each family will receive their child’s virtual schedule from the school tomorrow.

Thank you for your patience with us during this time. We know our families are facing difficult challenges and I wish to assure you that our teachers and staff remain committed to working with you to continue to make the most of a tough situation.
​
Thank you and good night.”


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

1. Each school will share additional information with families tomorrow (Tuesday) morning regarding what to expect during virtual instruction for Wednesday through Tuesday.
2. Tomorrow, elementary students will each be issued a Chromebook device for distance learning for November 18-24. 
3. In-person tutoring at our middle schools and high school is canceled this week but will start again after Thanksgiving.
4. Middle school and high school students who participate in the Life Skills programs will continue with full in-person learning after Thanksgiving break.
5. Meals are available for any interested family, for pick up only from North Middle School on Pink Hill Road, Monday through Friday between 11:00-11:30. No delivery is available but families may designate someone else to pick up their child’s meals. You can sign up for meals using this form. 
6. Extra-curricular activities continue.