Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Website

Audio: Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services says there’s a four-day backlog of COVID cases

Missouri’s health director says there’s a four-day backlog of about seven-thousand COVID-19 tests waiting to get entered into a reporting system. State Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) Director Dr. Randall Williams says they’re working as quickly as possible:     Dr. Williams tells Capitol reporters that DHSS is training others to do that […]

CARES Act Graphic

Audio: Missouri Receives $15 Million in CARES Act Funding for Tourism

Missouri’s governor announced $15 million in grant funding on Thursday to help rebuild Missouri’s tourism industry, which has been hammered by the COVID-19 pandemic. The state Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) says Missouri has seen 30,422 confirmed coronavirus cases, along with 1,113 deaths. State Department of Economic Development (DED) Director Rob Dixon tells Capitol reporters in Jefferson […]

Audio: State answers frequently asked questions about Missouri school reopening

The Missouri Departments of Health and Senior Services and Elementary and Secondary Education are answering frequently asked health questions about schools reopening next month. The information is designed to help schools navigate during the COVID-19 era. It includes details about screening, assigned seating, desk placement, requiring hand washing before and after students move from one […]

Coronavirus News Graphic

Audio: State health officials sending staff to Macon, following church revival, as COVID-19 cases climb to 21

Health officials in northern Missouri’s Macon County say a church revival last week has now led to 21 confirmed coronavirus cases. During a media briefing with Capitol reporters in Jefferson City on Thursday, state Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) Director Dr. Randall Williams told Missourinet the revival took place in Macon, which is […]

Medical Marijuana Dispensary

First medical marijuana facilities in Missouri complete commencement inspections

Two state-licensed medical marijuana facilities have successfully completed commencement inspections with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS), the agency tasked with regulating the state’s new program.  Both facilities, which have received authority from DHSS to operate, are cultivation facilities and will be among 60 total facilities in Missouri able to grow medical […]

Elderly person in Wheelchair

Health authorities issue guidance for visitations transitions at Missouri long-term care facilities

As the State of Missouri reopens on June 16, long-term care facilities are an important piece of this process for many Missourians. When COVID-19 first knowingly entered the United States in January, long-term care facilities quickly became one of the more vulnerable environments disease spread. In late March, health officials began seeing Missouri long-term care […]

Missouri Highway Patrol Trooper delivers remdesivir

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services receives shipment of experimental drug remdesivir to treat COVID-19

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has received initial shipments of remdesivir, an experimental drug being used to treat hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Working closely with the Missouri Hospital Association, which has been querying hospitals daily in order to compile and analyze COVID-19-related hospital utilization data, DHSS officials were able to determine where critically […]

Missouri Governor Mike Parson

Governor Parson announces first phase of “Show Me Strong Recovery Plan” beginning May 4, 2020

Governor Mike Parson announced the first phase of the “Show Me Strong Recovery” Plan outlining how Missouri will gradually begin to reopen economic and social activity on Monday, May 4, 2020.  Governor Parson was joined by Missouri Hospital Association President and CEO Herb Kuhn, MO HealthNet Director Todd Richardson, Missouri Department of Economic Development Director […]

Medical Marijuana

Department of Health and Senior Services settles two medical marijuana facility appeals

The Department of Health and Senior Services has settled two appeals of medical marijuana facility application denials. As a result of these settlements, DHSS will issue one new medical marijuana testing facility license and will exchange an existing medical marijuana dispensary license for a new medical marijuana dispensary license. The new testing facility license will […]

Coronavirus Update

First case of COVID-19 reported in Macon County

The Macon County Health Department reports the first positive case of COVID-19 in Macon County. The individual and others in close contact with the person are in self-quarantine. The health department notes it will not release more information due to privacy. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services website does not yet show any […]

Child Care

Missouri officials take regulatory action to address child care needs amid COVID-19 outbreak

The Departments of Health and Senior Services and Social Services have taken regulatory action to assist child care providers and families during the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.  “We recognize that child care is an essential component of fighting COVID-19,” said Dr. Randall Williams, director of DHSS. “Health care and other emergency medical personnel must have appropriate […]