Covid-19 case count growing fast in county
Stats for COVID-19 as of Sept. 8, 2020.
The number of covid-19 cases in Ozark County grew slowly after the Ozark County Health Department reported the first confirmed case here on June 19. Now that rate of change is happening faster.
On Aug. 25, Ozark County Health Depart-ment reported that 19 total cases had been received here. Last week, on Sept. 1, the number had grown to 39 total cases. This week, on Sept. 8, the health department reported that a total of 73 cases have been reported here, with 48 cases currently active.
OCHD also said Tuesday that its office is temporarily closed due to the increasing number of cases in the community. Staff members are still available to answer questions by phone, however, and residents may leave water samples to be tested at the front door and call to speak to the office manager. Those needing birth or death certificates can also meet a staff member at the front door of the OCHD office after calling 417-679-3334.
Lutie and Gainesville schools had temporary closures in response to the increasing numbers (see related story, at right).
Some area churches have also made changes in their services.
First Christian Church continues to hold 9 a.m. Sunday “parking lot services” with members remaining in their vehicles or lawn chairs and listening to loud speakers or through car radios via FM transmitter. The service is also live-streamed on the church’s Facebook page.
Mammoth Assembly of God plans to resume in-church services on Sunday, Sept. 13, after canceling services when several members had positive covid test results. On Sunday, Sept. 6, youth pastor Lain McCanless shared an encouraging video message on the Mammoth Assembly of God Face-book page.
Frontier Baptist in Pontiac has canceled its Sunday, Sept. 13, service.
Gainesville Church of Christ is offering Halbert Smith’s Sunday sermons on its website until the church reopens Sept. 20.
First Baptist Church in Gainesville and Lilly Ridge General Baptist are among those church still planning to hold regular, inside services Sunday, following their regular schedule.