The state's stay-at-home order expires Sunday, but Moniteau County will continue to observe those restrictions until 11:59 p.m. May 10, unless extended by any additional order, public health and government officials said Thursday.
Moniteau County's extension of the stay-at-home order, which was signed by Moniteau County Health Center Administrator Andrea Kincaid, Moniteau County Presiding Commissioner Mac Finley, and trustees James Canter and Judy Bolinge, will take effect beginning at 12:01 a.m. Monday. The extension doesn't place any additional restrictions beyond what is currently in place.
In a release Thursday, the Health Center cited the current number of active confirmed cases of coronavirus in Moniteau County as grounds for the extension.
As of Monday night, the Health Center reported there were still 29 active cases in the county, with 41 total confirmed cases since the start of the pandemic. There have been 46 new active cases in the last 14 days.
Today's extension also cites the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's criteria for lessening preventative infectious restrictions. This criteria mandates there should be a 14-day downward trajectory in influenza-like illnesses, COVID-19 cases, documented cases and new positive tests, milestones which Kincaid asserted Moniteau County is not meeting.
Recent active cases in Moniteau County were part of a large influx of COVID-19 cases in the span of April 14-21, namely due to an outbreak at Burgers' Smokehouse, where at least 21 employees were reported as confirmed cases. The plant suspended production last week, returning today with more stringent guidelines for employee distancing and safety.