Effective March 22, 2020, Perry County Emergency Management Agency has declared the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) is activated to a Level 2, while the Perry County Commission signed a State of Emergency on Sunday during an emergency meeting. Action was taken by both agencies, when Perry County confirmed the first positive case of COVID-19 in Perry County on March 21.
Interim Emergency Management Director Andrew Bohnert said the Level 2 activation is a “partial activation” with “limited partner agency staffing.”
“This is a Health Department event,” Bohnert said. “And the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) is here to assist that agency in any way.”
The Commission signing the State of Emergency will allow Perry County agencies to receive state and federal funding should the community need assistance with pandemic-related challenges including reimbursements for COVID-related costs incurred by local government agencies as well as first responders and fire departments. Local businesses may also apply for disaster-related loans because of the State of Emergency.
Perry County Presiding Commissioner Mike Sauer said county officials are taking the threat of COVID-19 very seriously. The commission has been meeting with a variety of local agencies since March 12.
“We are working closely with the Perry County Health Department, City of Perryville and Emergency Management to make informed decisions to keep our community safe, “ Sauer said. “We are listening to the health department, and implementing the recommendations of the Department of Health and Senior Services and Governor Parson’s office.”
Perry County leadership has been working closely with the City of Perryville, the Perry County Health Department and Emergency Management to ensure the citizens of the community will be best served in this time of crisis.