The State of Missouri recently announced the state is transitioning from a pandemic response to an endemic phase of COVID-19.
Lafayette County Health Department officials say “This change to endemic does not mean the end of COVID-19; it means that the disease is here to stay, and, that we have the resources to manage the disease in our daily lives. These resources are meant to keep Missourians safe and healthy.”
A press release says the change to an endemic phase, however, does mean changes to the state’s surveillance from monitoring daily cases to monitoring the disease severity, and its impact in the community. Health department officials say, “When we are notified by the testing sites, the Lafayette County Health Department will continue to support those individuals who test positive during the course of their illness and provide them with the resources they need to be healthy. We will also continue to provide awareness, guidance and vaccines to contain the spread of COVID-19 in our community.”
Due to the change in surveillance data from the state and reporting changes to the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), the Lafayette County Health Department will no longer report weekly data as it has been for the past two years.
Health department officials say, “In order to keep our community informed, we plan to provide awareness and guidance if there is a community outbreak of COVID-19 in Lafayette County.”
Health department officials add, “COVID-19 continues to have a significant health effect on certain residents in our community. Testing for COVID-19, at home or at a facility, continues to be important so individuals are aware they are positive and can take necessary precautions to avoid spreading COVID-19 to others. We continue to recommend that you stay home if you are sick, get tested and follow current CDC Guidelines.” <https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/quarantine-isolation.html>.
Health department officials say vaccination against COVID-19 helps protect individuals against severe illness and hospitalization due to COVID-19. “With the change to the endemic state, we accept that COVID-19 will continue to circulate, but with vaccination, it can reduce the burden of illness to keep your family healthy.”
