Jasper County stops all COVID-19 orders

Despite some nationwide concerns of the Omicron variant, the Jasper County Health Department has ceased all COVID-19 orders at this time. Read their full press release below:

On December 7, 2021, Local Public Health Agencies (LPHA) across the state of Missouri received a letter  from the Missouri Attorney General regarding a November 22, 2021, court ruling (Robinson vs Missouri Dept of Health and Senior Services, 20AC-CC00515). In this ruling, a Cole County Circuit Court Judge  removed the authority given to the state and local public health agencies for quarantine under 19 CSR  20-20.010, 19 CSR 20-20.020, and 19 CSR 20-20.030. The Missouri Attorney General is upholding this  local court ruling and has informed LPHAs that “You should stop enforcing and publicizing any such  orders immediately.”

With that, this is to inform you that the Jasper County Health Department has ceased all COVID-19  orders at this time. We will, however, continue our efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 by contacting individuals who test positive for COVID-19, as well as their potential contacts, and offering  recommendations per CDC guidelines.

For our county residents who have been, or will be diagnosed with COVID-19 and require quarantine  information, we recommend the following:

• Please visit the CDC website (www.cdc.gov) for information on protecting yourself, your  household, and workplace.
• For additional answers to questions pertaining to the court ruling, please contact the DHSS  Covid Hotline (877-435-8411), or the Missouri Attorney General’s office (573-751-3321).

While our agency remains determined to protect the health of our county residents, please understand  this ruling greatly affects how we will be able to proceed and stop the spread of COVID. As  recommended by CDC, stay home if you’re ill, wash your hands often, mask and/or distance in large  group settings, and receive your COVID-19 vaccination.