Pettis County Sees Highest Weekly Increase in COVID-19 Cases

The Pettis County Health Center announced the highest weekly increase in COVID-19 cases in Pettis County Monday. While Johnson County Community Health services extended the Johnson County mask mandate through September 13.

Pettis County announced an increase of 114 cases of the coronavirus from their August 10 report. And a fifth death of a Pettis County resident from COVID-19 this week.

Additionally the Health Center will continue to monitor cases and ask about attendance at the Missouri State Fair. The Health Center reminds community members who attend the fair to be aware of coronavirus symptoms including "cough, shortness of breath, chills, sore throat, headache, muscle aches and nausea/vomiting/diarrhea." Pettis County Health Center says anyone who shows symptoms should be tested for COVID-19, and says this is very important to protect children as they're heading back to school next week.

In Johnson County, Johnson County Community Health extended their mask mandate through September 13 in an effort to continue to reduce cases of the coronavirus throughout the county. The County saw a 73% decrease in COVID-19 cases in the first two weeks of August compared to July.

Additionally Johnson County Community Health Services is reminding everyone with schools reopening it is even more important to stop the spread of the coronavirus. They say one of the best ways to do that is to wear a mask.

The overarching message of both health agencies is that masks work to stop the spread of COVID-19, and with kids going back to school and the Missouri State Fair happening wearing a mask is even more important to stop the spread of the coronavirus.