CAMDEN COUNTY, Mo. — The Camden County Commission has penned a letter to the citizens of Camden County; in it, they praised the response of local healthcare personnel as well as businesses who have proactively taken measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the community. Commissioners also urged the public to continue being cautions, and are asking the immune-compromised and elderly to stay home for the next two weeks to 30 days, pointing them to the county's Coronavirus Hotline: 573-346-6145, 8:30am – 4:30pm, Monday through Friday. Through it, county personnel will deliver groceries to those who may be especially vulnerable to the virus.

The county is also encouraging businesses to apply for grant money available through the federal government's CARES Act. Money is available to help small businesses pay employees' wages as well as cover other expenses they may be unable to pay for due to the COVID-19 crisis -- in many cases, the money does not have to be repaid. Click here for more details.

The commission's full letter is below.

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In this time of concern, the Camden County Commission would like to reassure the public that community officials and our health administration is doing everything within its power to address the COVID 19 pandemic and keep everyone safe. The current number of confirmed cases within Camden County stands at 18. As of today, the current figures for Camden County are as follows: From Monday through Wednesday, as of this morning at 0800 they have done the following on Camden County residents:

94 tests

63 negatives

19 are pending

12 positives

 

which now brings the Camden County total of confirmed cases to 18.

 

 

Testing is ongoing every day. The vast majority of tests are coming back negative. Positive cases are being quarantined. Severe cases are being treated at Lake of the Ozarks Regional Hospital. ICU beds and respirators for additional severe cases remain available.

This crisis has placed incredible stress on the capabilities of our local health infrastructure. The good news is that their response has proven equal to the task. The County Health Department, Lake Ozark Regional and independent health care providers have all stepped up and are working overtime to care for the public. While the challenge posed by this virus has been extremely demanding, their response has been exemplary.

The commission wants to thank our entire health care industry for their response to this pandemic. On the day that tests became available last week, Lake Ozark Regional began multiple testing immediately. They have now set up a Mobile Testing Site across Business Highway 54 from the hospital in Osage Beach for the convenience of the public. The commission has been in frequent communication with the Lake Regional Administration and we are being updated daily.

Our County Health Department Administrator Bee Dampier has worked double shifts, through the weekends, every day since this crisis began. On a daily basis, she is supervising the work of the County Health Department, coordinating on a minute-by-minute basis with Lake Ozark Regional, communicating with state and federal health officials, responding to public concerns and reporting multiple times daily to the commission. No one expected to be placed in the center of a crisis like this and her response, her service to the citizens of Camden County, has been selfless, heroic and deeply inspiring. We cannot thank her enough.

The commission would also like to thank our incredible business community. Many businesses throughout the Lake area have changed their procedures to help keep the public safe. They are finding ways to minimize employee and customer exposure, limiting their hours and sometimes temporarily ceasing operations altogether. We understand the financial stress this is placing on owners and employees alike. We know the distress that this burden is causing.

Multiple resources are becoming available. The U.S. Small Business Administration has a lot of valuable information for businesses: Paycheck Protection Program Loans, Small Business Debt Relief Program, Economic Injury Disaster Loans & Emergency Economic Injury Grants, Counseling & Training, Contracting & Tax Provisions. Please navigate to https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources. Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available and they have streamlined the application process in recent days. Look for the link at the top of their home page.

The Missouri Small Business Development Center can help local businesses with all questions and their loan applications. Please check out their websites below and contact their office for information regarding financial assistance. They are standing by and ready to help.

Missouri Small Business Development Center, State Fair Community College, 3201 West 16th Street, Room F255, Sedalia, MO 65301, Phone: (660) 530-5822

Website: https://sbdc.missouri.edu/locations/missouri-sbdc-at-state-fair-community-college

SBA Disaster Loan Information: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/Information/Index 

Also, contact your local Chamber of Commerce for focused, important information. Your insurance company is also a very good source of information and many little-known insurance-related resources are available. The commission was informed today that the Fanny and Freddie programs will be coming out next week with a deferred payment program. Many resources and opportunities for assistance are available. Please reach out and take advantage of them.

We are asking all senior citizens and those with compromised immune systems to please remain at home for the next two weeks to 30 days. The Camden County Coronavirus Community Hotline is available for the free delivery of groceries and medicine. Please call 573-346-6145, 8:30am – 4:30pm, Monday through Friday. Just call your grocery or pharmacy, pay for your goods with a credit/debit card over the phone, and county personnel will delivery your purchases to your front door at no charge. For these any other concerns, county personnel stand by ready to help you.

These are trying times. Within the commission we are wrestling with wrenching, heartbreaking decisions every day because we know that every decision will possibly benefit some while negatively impacting others. We have concern for our business community, employees and we worry for the health and safety of our residents. 

But ultimately, we believe strongly in the resiliency of our people, of Camden County, and of the Lake of the Ozarks. We know in our hearts that, with faith and courage, we will work our way out of this tragedy and we will be, in the end, stronger than we have ever been. We will face this challenge as a united community and we will flourish together.

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