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 […]
Tag: DHSS
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 […]
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 […]
Audio: EPA grant will help Missouri schools test for lead contamination in water
Bipartisan legislation that’s aimed at providing protections for safe drinking water in Missouri schools has been signed into law by Governor Mike Parson. One of the key provisions in House Bill 2120 is from veteran State Sen. Gina Walsh, D-Bellefontaine Neighbors, the former Senate Minority Leader. That provision allows Missouri schools to submit a test of […]
Additional cases of COVID-19 announced in area counties
Additional COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in Green Hills area counties. The Livingston County Health Center reports it has received notification of three additional positive cases. The additional cases bring Livingston County’s total to 15. Five of the cases are recovered. The new cases were symptomatic and will isolate at home for two weeks. Close […]
Audio: Missouri health officials reviewing hundreds of applications for medical marijuana licenses with invalid doctor signatures.
Based on findings during a recent and ongoing investigation, the Section for Medical Marijuana Regulation within the Department of Health and Senior Services has determined that approximately 600 patient licenses have been issued to applicants who submitted physician certification forms with an unauthorized physician signature. At this time, there is no evidence to indicate the affected […]
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 […]
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 […]
Parson: Missouri is prepared and ready to reopen for business today
Missouri will fully reopen for business on Tuesday morning, June 16, 2020, and will enter phase two of its “Show Me Strong Recovery Plan.” Governor Mike Parson tells Capitol reporters in Jefferson City that the move comes just over 90 days since Missouri’s first COVID-19 case. “It is truly incredible to think how far Missouri has […]
Missouri’s medical marijuana program publishes first annual report
The Department of Health and Senior Services announces the release of its Missouri Medical Marijuana Regulatory Program’s annual report to the Governor. DHSS is required to annually submit a report to the Governor regarding the efficient discharge of its responsibilities under Article XIV Section 1 of the Missouri Constitution. Reported activities are based on the […]
Missouri offers free community COVID-19 tests for 6 more counties
As part of the state’s COVID-19 community sampling efforts, six additional counties will host testing events. The goal is to test nearly 10,000 people over a 10-day period in Boone, Cape Girardeau, Greene, Jackson, Jefferson, and St. Charles Counties. Jackson County May 26-30, 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Silverstein Eye Center Arena, Independence St. Charles County May […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Harrison County reporting six confirmed cases of COVID-19
The Harrison County Health Department reports Harrison County now has six confirmed positive cases of COVID-19. That is an increase of two from what was previously reported in the county. No other information was provided on the two new cases. The health department asked that, moving forward, the public view case counts for the county […]
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 […]
Governor Parson directs DHSS Director to require social distancing statewide
Building on Missouri’s efforts to address COVID-19, Governor Mike Parson has directed the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Director, Dr. Randall Williams to order statewide social distancing. The Order includes new measures to protect the health and safety of Missouri citizens and frontline workers. “As the COVID-19 crisis continues to develop, this is […]
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 […]