Archive for 2021

The Dent County Health Center Board of Trustees met for their regular monthly meeting on Thursday, August 19th. Health Center Administrator Zach Moser updated the Board on the current COVID status in Dent County. As of the meeting date, there were 1,382 confirmed cases and 342 probable cases that had been investigated with 41 COVID related deaths have been confirmed. As of August 19th, there were 79 confirmed active cases and 35 probables with nine people being hospitalized. According to MoDHSS, as of July 22nd, 26.8% of Dent County residents have received their first dose of vaccine and 22.4% have completed the series. Dent County’s Positivity Rate was 17.3%. Moser noted that the vaccine is available at the Dent County Health Center, Moser Pharmacy, Vandivort Pharmacy, Sinks Pharmacy and Wal-Mart Pharmacy. He reported that since the Health Center started COVID testing two hours per day that the schedule has been booked solid with 12 tests per day. Moser’s office was moved into the conference room and his previous office space is being utilized to provide an isolated area for COVID testing. He also reported that a portable HEPA air purifier was purchased for $899 and an ultracold freezer for storing Pfizer vaccine was also purchased for $5,700. Both purchases were previously authorized by the Board and were paid for using COVID relief funds. Zach reported that bid notices for a full HEPA-filtration system and separate HVAC system for the new isolation/testing room, and new roofing for the building have been posted in the Salem News. In contract updates, he said that the Increasing Adult Covid-19 Immunization Contract had many requirements, but would help pay for offsite immunization clinics, help increase the hours the health center offers the COVID vaccine, and supports the implementation of an electronic health record. Moser went on to say the CARES Act would cover the costs to expand the testing capacity, including the costs of adding an additional employee to conduct testing. He also reported that the USDA Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) grant was published this week and targeted towards helping healthcare entities in rural areas recover from COVID-19. This grant could also help pay for the enhancements to the testing room. There was no communicable disease report as the CD nurse was in training all week. Moser went on to report that there were 110 lab tests, 115 COVID tests, 87 COVID vaccines, plus appointments for the Sho-Me Healthy Women Clinic in September can be made. More information is available by calling the Health Center at (573) 729-3106. During the tax rate hearing, the Board voted for the rate to remain the same for 2021 as 2020 at 9.59 cents per $100 assessed valuation. The Board voted to set the mileage reimbursement rate to be equal to the most current published IRS standard rate, which is $0.56 for 2021. The Board passed a resolution authorizing the banks to add Zachary Moser as a signer and remove Kendra Mobray. The Board then voted to go into closed session to discuss personnel. After emerging from closed- session the Board approved the July expenses and set the next regular meeting date for September 16th.

The Missouri Department of Conservation announces its managed waterfowl hunts for this hunting season. The pre-season reservation period will run September 1st through the 18th, with results posted October 1st. The in-season weekly drawings will take place on Monday afternoons with a seven-day application period that opens the Tuesday before and closes the Monday of the draw at 3 p.m. Missouri residents and qualifying non-residents, such as students from out of state or members of the military stationed in Missouri, can apply online for a reservation to guarantee them an opportunity to hunt on a specific day on a specific area. Residents and nonresidents can also arrive at a managed waterfowl hunting area the morning they wish to hunt and wait in line for the possibility of getting a hunting spot. Applicants for waterfowl reservations must have their required permits to apply, and their Federal Duck Stamp to hunt. MDC offers managed waterfowl hunting on more than a dozen conservation areas specially managed with a focus on wetlands. Hunters can apply for a reservation or participate in a daily morning drawing for opportunities to hunt at these areas. MDC also offers waterfowl hunting on other conservation areas. In addition to MDC areas, Missouri offers waterfowl hunting opportunities at numerous other public and private locations around the state. For this fall, MDC’s waterfowl reservation system will offer 50 percent of daily hunting positions for the managed-hunt areas through online reservations. Of the 50 percent of spots through online reservations, half will be for pre-season applications and half will be allocated during a weekly in-season application period. The remaining 50 percent of spots will be held for hunters who participate in the daily morning drawing and wait in the “poor line” for the possibility of getting a hunting spot. Successful pre-season and in-season reservation applicants will be notified after their respective draws via email or text message with their hunt date, location, and pill assignment. “Pills” designate the order hunting parties select their hunting locations on the area. The lower the number, the sooner hunting parties get to select their hunting location. MDC also notes that hunters with disabilities will apply to use ADA hunting blinds through the online reservation system during the same timeframe as the preseason application period. ADA blinds that are not selected and allocated during the preseason drawing will be placed in the weekly in-season draws. For more information, visit MDC online available or where permits are sold.