Protocols in place for workers/businesses

Regulations are in place at larger facilities in stoddard county to protect employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stoddard County Health Center Administrator Ben Godwin said currently any employee at a larger factory type facility can leave work without penalty.

Godwin said if the employee does not feel well or feel comfortable under the current circumstances can stay home. The employee’s pay and insurance status will be up to the company. Godwin also said protocols are in place at these facilities in the event that an employee should need to be tested. Currently these facilities are classified as essential jobs and are not under any government requirement to shut down.

A business has had a employee tested for the virus which is pending. Godwin declined to name the business so as not to cause any harm to the business but said the business is following proper protocol and has sent additional employees home as a precaution.

Godwin stated the health department will be notified immediately anytime the state tests a resident of Stoddard County. The health department will also be notified when an individual that works in Stoddard County but lives outside Stoddard County is tested. Godwin said that notification will not come as quickly.

Godwin also stated that when an individual is tested at at independent lab they are not notified but there is work under way to change this.

In Stoddard County as Tuesday morning there are three confirmed cases of COVID-19.