As of Monday, 10 more counties were added to Governor Tate Reeves' list of areas within the state that should institute stricter measures to curtail the spread of COVID-19.
Last week, the Sunflower County Board of Supervisors approved a proclamation to enforce the governor's guidelines and impose a fine on those who do not adhere to the order.
As of Tuesday, 13 deaths have been recorded as COVID-19 related for Sunflower County with the positive case count at nearly 700.
Some of those positive cases have hit county workers and affected county buildings causing high amounts of absenteeism and time off due to the need to quarantine.
In an apparent attempt to limit future exposure, on Monday, the Board of Supervisors heard a presentation and took under consideration a proposal to treat county-owned buildings and equipment with an infection control agent distributed by Ecovasive Infection Control of Oxford.
Brad Pugh and Wayne Kelly, spokespersons for the company, demonstrated the eco-friendly process that uses an antimicrobial electrostatic spray to protect and prevent the transfer of germs and viruses, including the coronavirus. The substance supposedly adheres to the surfaces, lays down a barrier that prevents the transfer of germs and bacteria and destroys pathogens on contact. “Its like a polymer and it bonds to your surfaces,” Kelly said.
The county leaders are considering having the company treat all of its buildings and road equipment to help protect against the transfer of infectious microbes. “We've had some cases in the road department,” said District 1 Supervisor Glenn Donald.
The company claims a four-minute or less viral kill. “Basically what we're here to do is help you guys protect your facilities as much as possible,” Kelly said.
He alluded to a flat fee for treating each piece of equipment and a cost of two to three cents per square foot for the structures and they are proposing 90-day renewals on the treatments.
In other business,
Emergency Management Director Denny Evans reported that he has been making weekly trips to pick up supplies that are being distributed throughout the county from the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency. He has also delivered ventilators to North Sunflower Medical Center and stated that the Department of Health has been working with the hospitals to get them what they need.
Referencing a news report featuring local doctors Chad and Kelsey Dowell, MD, Donald asked Evans if the county needs to be “stocking up” on ventilators. A discussion ensued regarding reports of bed shortages at the state's major hospitals and patients having to be sent out of state as a result.
With that, District 3 Supervisor Ben Gaston mentioned a conversation he had with the state's deputy director of health wherein the official confirmed that Mississippi does have ventilators available for the asking.
“It's kind of like the Ruleville hospital. They didn't ask for anything, Glenn, until you and Denny brought it up,” Gaston said.
He stated that Evans has been continually asking the hospitals about their needs and asserting that he could get supplies, but they never asked for any ventilators. Citing the probability that more ventilators may be needed, Gaston suggested that Evans reach back out to the hospitals to inquire about their status.
Evans also reported that at least one resident in a local long-term care facility has tested positive for COVID-19, and several employees from various LTC facilities have also reportedly tested positive.
“I've got reports that there may be some other residents that are going to come back positive, but results have not come back yet,” Evans said.
Also, a discussion about the procedure for allowing an employee to return to work after testing positive for COVID-19 and being quarantined resulted in a unanimous decision to require a second test after the isolation period and that test has to return a negative result.
Donald said an employee should have a second test because every positive case doesn’t end in 14 days. “We’re responsible for the health care of the other workers,” Donald said. He also asked that the county administrator get with local health officials and request a “rapid test” so there will not be a 14-day wait for the second results.
Attorney Johnny McWilliams agreed and said he didn’t feel it was unreasonable to ask the employee to be retested. “You’re paying the co-pay so they are not out of any money,” he said.
Additionally, after a discussion about employees who may be carelessly exposing themselves to the virus by attending parties and gathering and not abiding by social distancing and CDC health guidelines, the county lawmakers discussed and approved an amendment to a previous board order regarding the administering of administrative leave pay to employees.
McWilliams suggested adding language to the current order that states, “All employees are expected and required to follow CDC guidelines on social distancing hand washing, masks, all of that stuff and if in the opinion of the department head or supervisor any employee is not doing that then he would not be eligible for administrative leave,” McWilliams said.
McWilliams is also considering a revision to the sick leave policy for employees who may be abusing it.
