COVID-19 sickens much of Maries County Sheriff’s Office

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Some calls for sheriff's deputies that would have taken place in person will be handled by phone for the next few days to weeks in Maries County.

Maries County Chief Deputy Scott John posted on Facebook on Monday that more than half the office's deputies, jailers and staff are sick. Many have tested positive for COVID-19, John wrote.

"We will continue to respond to all emergency calls in person however, during this period some calls for service may be handled by telephone instead of a deputy responding to your residence," John wrote. "We are not saying we do not have Deputies on duty, as most are working sick."

The COVID-19 hospital admission rate for Mid-Missouri counties is low, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, hospital admissions of Maries County residents is up, the CDC reports.