Latest Updates

July 16

In consultation with area hospitals’ Chief Medical Officers, the region’s public health departments are issuing a Public Health Advisory in response to rapidly increasing COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations across the Kansas City metro related to the emergence of the delta variant.

June 10

Clay County Public Health Center released the Full Onsite Learning Guidance Update and the updated Interim Return-to-School & Early Childcare Guidance to local educators. Please inquire with your student's school for how these updates may affect your child.

May 14

In response to updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and improvements in local case, hospitalization and vaccination rates, the Clay County Public Health Emergency Order will expire today at noon.

Anyone who is not fully vaccinated should continue to take precautions such as wearing a well-fitted mask, staying six feet or more from those they don't live with and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces. Businesses and organizations may still choose to require certain COVID-19 precautions, such as masking or physical distancing, in a manner they deem most appropriate to protect staff and customers. Clay County Public Health Center's guidance to schools remains the same.
Read the CCPHC's full statement here.

April 23

Thanks to lower reports of COVID-19 cases, improved hospital capacity and more residents getting vaccinated, the Clay County Public Health Emergency Order has been updated. It will into effect at 5 p.m. on April 23 and is set to expire May 28. This moves the county from Phase 2, Step 4 of the Recovery Plan to Phase 3. 

Masks are still required indoors at places of public accommodation. Changes under the new order include:

• Masks recommended but not required outdoors when not social distancing.
• Social distancing indoors is strongly recommended but no longer required.

March 8

released new guidance for fully vaccinated people (two weeks since final dose). These people can now gather with other vaccinated people and low-risk, unvaccinated people from one household.

However, it's important that everyone still wears a mask and uses physical distancing when in public, since the majority of the population has still not been vaccinated. At this time, 14.4% of Clay County has been vaccinated with at least one dose.

March 3

Clay County Public Health Center published guidance that would allow school districts to return to onsite learning for 3-5 days a week, if desired. Read the document and FAQs for details.

February 21

The Clay County public health emergency order has been updated, effective immediately. Restaurants, bars, and taverns may resume operating according to their permitted hours. Also, there is no more upper limit on gathering size, if all attendees follow masking and social distancing guidelines. Events are no longer required to submit a mitigation plan.

January 15

Anyone can use this form to let Clay County Public Health Center know they are interested in getting vaccinated against COVID-19. The information provided will allow CCPHC to send updates regarding vaccine availability or other opportunities to get vaccinated.

January 13

The Clay County public health emergency order has been updated. Starting Jan. 14, restaurants, taverns, and other venues may remain open until 12 a.m. while limiting occupancy to 50%. Whether indoors or outdoors, groups should be seated, limited to 10 persons and remain six feet from other parties. Masks should continue to be worn when not actively eating or drinking. 

January 7, 2021

Clay County Public Health Center received its first shipment of COVID-19 vaccine this week and will begin vaccination of eligible health care workers on Monday. Continue reading...

December 7

Clay County Public Health Center continues to recommend a 14-day quarantine for close contacts of someone with COVID-19. For more detailed guidance after the CDC's announcement of new options, visit our Feeling Sick page or read our full statement here.

December 3

On Dec. 2, CDC announced new options for reducing the length of quarantine. These options are for people identified as close contacts of someone with COVID-19 and who do not show symptoms. Clay County Public Health Center is currently taking these options under consideration and will release updated local guidance as soon as it's available.

Until that time, please continue to use current guidance - a quarantine period of 14 days - until notified otherwise. This guidance, as stated on their website, continues to be endorsed by CDC.

November 17

Due to increased spread of COVID-19 in the county, the public health emergency order has been updated. Find FAQs here. The order will go into effect Monday, Nov. 23.

November 13

Public health directors in the Kansas City metro area issued a joint statement on the steps needed to fight the spread of COVID-19 in our community at this time and reduce strain on the health care system. Read the statement here. 

Also released was Clay County Public Health Center's response to Missouri's updated quarantine guidance for schools and three options for consideration for school winter sports.

October 1

The interim school guidance document has been updated, including the adoption of MARC's gating criteria for schools. A new dashboard on the CCPHC COVID-19 Hub shows the current status of the county according to the gating criteria.

August 21

The public health emergency order for Clay County has been extended until further notice. This includes the requirement that masks be worn in all areas of public accommodation to help prevent the further spread of COVID-19. Read the updated order in full.

August 19

Clay County Public Health Center has been working collaboratively with local school districts and is offering three options that districts may consider for their decision-making regarding fall sports. Read the letter from the director of public health to local superintendents here.

August 5

Clay County Public Health Center releases guidance to help local school districts prepare for a safe return to school. The guidance document can be found on the Community Recovery page.

July 15

The Public Health Emergency Order was updated to make face masks required in all indoor areas of public accommodation. The order will go in effect Sunday, July 19 and remain in effect through Sunday, August 23. Find details on the Face Masks and Coverings page.

July 1

Although Clay County remains in Phase 2, Step 2 of recovery, the Public Health Emergency Order was amended. Includes the allowance of 100% occupancy if masks are worn by all and physical distancing is maintained. Find full details on the Recovery page.

June 19

An outbreak of COVID-19 has been identified at Ashton Court Care and Rehabilitation Centre, a long-term care facility located in Liberty, MO. As of June 19, five staff members and three residents have tested positive for COVID-19. Learn more about long-term care facility outbreaks in our news release.

June 15

Although Clay County remains in Phase 2, Step 2 of recovery, the Public Health Emergency Order was amended with four changes regarding occupancy limits, mass gatherings and pools. Find all information and guidance on our Community Recovery page. 

June 8

Clay County reports an outbreak in a local long-term care facility, with 57* residents and staff at Pleasant Valley Manor Care Center testing positive for COVID-19. The county also reports two additional coronavirus-related deaths as a result of the facility’s outbreak.
*Updated 6/11 to reflect previously pending results

May 31

The Clay County COVID-19 Recovery Plan was amended so the Clay County order is consistent with Missouri Governor Parson's Order that was announced May 28. All parts of the Clay County order announced May 27 remain the same except regarding occupancy at retail businesses.

May 27

The transition into Step 2 of the Clay County COVID-19 Recovery Plan will begin on Monday, June 1. See the Community Recovery page for more detailed guidance by industry.

 
April 29

The Clay County COVID-19 Recovery Plan was released to provide insight and guidance for how the county will move forward. Visit our Community Recovery page for more information and tools.

April 22

The public health emergency order was amended so that it will now expire on Sunday, May 3 at 11:59 p.m. Read the FAQs and News Release for more details.

April 17

The public health emergency order has been extended until Friday, May 15 at 12:01 a.m.

April 6

Clay County announces the first death of a Clay County resident from COVID-19.

April 3

Governor Parson issues statewide "Stay Home Missouri" order to control, contain, and combat COVID-19. It will be in effect from 12:01 a.m. on Monday, April 6, 2020, until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, April 24, 2020.

March 23

Three confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Clay County announced. Read the news release here.

March 22

Director of Public Health Gary E. Zaborac issued orders for Clay County residents to stay at home except for essential activities from Tuesday, March 24 until Friday, April 24. Read the full document here.

 March 17

A State of Emergency was declared in Clay County by Presiding Commissioner Jerry Nolte on Tuesday, March 17. 

March 17: Public Health Emergency Order from Clay County Public Health Center Director Gary E. Zaborac

Message from CCPHC Director of Public Health E. Zaborac: “We recognize the hardships on our communities that these measures represent. However extraordinary measures are required in these extraordinary times. We must continue to work together as community to protect those who are most vulnerable. Thank you for your help.”