County Commission, Health Department Requests Everyone Wear Masks In Public

The Franklin County Health Department and commission is urgently requesting that everyone wear masks in public, social distance, wash their hands and “do only what is absolutely necessary at this time for you and your family.”

This comes as the county reported 96 new COVID-19 cases on Friday.

“If you are sick, STAY HOME!” said Presiding Commissioner Tim Brinker on Friday. “If you are quarantined, STAY CONFINED!”

The county health department also has adopted revised guidelines put forth by Gov. Mike Parson on Thursday.

Proper mask wearing may not prevent individuals from being identified as close contacts in K-12 schools that have implemented a mask mandate. This means that if both individuals at school – the person diagnosed with COVID-19 and the person exposed to the positive case – have masks on and are wearing them correctly, the individual exposed does not need to quarantine.

Exposed individuals should self-monitor for symptoms and stay home at the first sign of illness. They should also continue to wear a mask at all times to further reduce the likelihood of transmitting the virus. The person who tests positive for COVID-19 is still required to isolate at home.

Close contacts in K-12 schools should continue to quarantine at home for 14 days if (1) their school does not require students and staff to wear masks, or (2) the mask was not being worn appropriately by either the person diagnosed with COVID-19 or the person who was exposed.

New Cases

The county now has 3,806 new cases and the 10-day rolling total is 732.

The 14-day average is 67.14.

There remain 88 cases in long-term care facilities and 22 hospitalizations.