Cole County leaders believe activating the joint Emergency Operations Center at the Jefferson City Police Department to deal with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) will benefit the county and Jefferson City in the long run.
Cole County Health Department Director Kristi Campbell told Cole County commissioners Tuesday that having the center already operating is rare in an emergency situation.
"Unlike when we had the tornado hit in May, we can be be better prepared to face this emergency," Campbell said, "if and when we do have a case that is confirmed in the county."
Campbell announced during a news conference Tuesday afternoon that the first positive case of COVID-19 had been reported in Cole County.
Campbell said there were no cases of COVID-10 reported in Cole County as of Tuesday.
Cole County Sheriff John Wheeler said the EOC helps with communication among agencies and also helps keep track of funds the city and county use during emergencies so it's possible they can be reimbursed for some of those funds by the federal government.
The county health department is notified if people are approved to be tested for the virus by the State Health Lab in Jefferson City, but not if they are tested through a private lab, Campbell clarified Tuesday. However, the county health department would be notified if a test came back positive regardless, of where it was tested, she said.
"As soon as COVID-19 started showing up, it was added to the list of normal reported diseases," Campbell said. "There's over 100 mandated reported diseases. Normal coronaviruses that circulate in the community all the time are not mandated to be reported."
Normal coronaviruses cause respiratory tract infections that can be mild, such as some cases of the common cold, Campbell said.
The Cole County Health Department on Monday implemented the recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Missouri Gov. Mike Parson that events including 50 or more people be canceled or postponed.
The recommendation does not apply to schools, institutions of higher learning, businesses or essential governmental proceedings, although many Mid-Missouri schools have announced planned closures.
Cole County Presiding Judge Pat Joyce told commissioners Tuesday about COVID-19 procedures the local court has started to implement at the Cole County Courthouse.
The Missouri Supreme Court announced Monday it has suspended in-person proceedings in all appellate and circuit courts, including all associate, family, juvenile, municipal and probate divisions through April 3.
Joyce said they hope to have in-person cases back in court by April 6. Until then, they are doing jail dockets via video from the Cole County Jail and other corrections facilities.
The Cole County Courthouse is not closed but is limiting in-person appearances as much as possible.
Courthouse personnel posted a sign on the front door Tuesday afternoon noting the courthouse was open but "no in-person hearings - except for orders of protection and others approved by a judge."
"We have over 100,000 people come through the courthouse every year, and we're working to get the building cleaned up," Joyce said. "We have had to rethink how we do business, but I want to assure residents that we're working to keep the court system running as smooth as possible."
Those with questions can call the circuit clerk's office at 573-634-9171, and people can also use the Track This Case feature on the state's online courts site, courts.mo.gov.