Stoddard County extends state of emergency

BLOOMFIELD— Stoddard County officials reissued a state of emergency order Monday in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, following state guidelines.

The joint order from the county commissioners, the director of the Public Health Center and the Health Officer asks county residents to practice social distancing and comply with all guidelines set by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention to help slow the spread of the virus.

There have been 129 total cases, including seven new positive tests over five days, and eight deaths related to the virus.

Stoddard County officials first issued the order on March 30 then appointed Dr. Bobby J. Jibben as the county’s Health Officer on April 1. An easing of some restrictions was put in place May 4 along with the rest of the state.

At that time, Stoddard County had reported 21 total cases. In the 53 days since, there has been a 514% increase in the number of confirmed cases but the county currently has 13 active cases.

The new order states that the “Health department may promulgate such mandatory or advisory rules, policies and guidance as is necessary and appropriate to implement this Order” and that rules issued by the health department “shall have the force of law to the greatest extent permitted…”

The order was signed by Presiding Commissioner Danny Tarkington, commissioners Steve Jordan and Carol Jarrell, as well as Dr. Jibben and Ben Godwin, director of the health department.