UPDATED NUMBERS: Scott County has first death related to COVID-19, total positive cases up to 45

According to the Scott County Health Department, one person has died related to COVID-19.

The health department did not release any further information about the death.

The death is the fourth local death related to COVID-19. One person died in Cape Girardeau County and two have died in Dunklin County previously.

The number of positive COVID-19 cases in Scott County stood at 45 Friday afternoon, according to the Scott County Health Department.

The number of positive cases has spiked from 14 just one week ago. According to an editorial by Jon Rust, publisher of the Southeast Missourian and co-president of Rust Communications, a family member of a resident at the Sikeston Convalescent Center who wished not to be identified, said that16 of 19 patients on the memory wing had tested positive.

On Thursday morning, the Standard Democrat placed a call to the Sikeston Convalescent Center who said they would forward the requests for comment to their corporate office. As of press time, the corporate office has not made contact with reporters.

The Scott County Health Department also has not commented on the increased number of cases, stating as they did weeks ago, they are following a state directive. According to a post on social media, the Health Department said they have been directed by the Missouri Department of Health to list the total number of cases by County only and not the location.

“Their reason for this is that in smaller communities the risk of finding out the specific identity of a case is greater, thus putting that person’s personal health information at risk,” according to the post. “That person has the right to privacy just as much as anyone else. IF guidance from the State changes, then we will release that information.”

It is not known at this time if the person that died was a resident of the Sikeston Convalescent Center.

Of the 45 positive cases in Scott County, nine have recovered. The Scott County Health Departments says “recovered” is, “resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications AND improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath) AND at least 14 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.”

The Scott County Health Department reports that 14 of the positive cases are over the age of 80; five are between the ages of 70-79; six are between the ages of 60-69. Of those testing positive under the age of 60, two are between the ages of 50-59; seven are between the ages of 40-49; five are between the ages of 30-39 and five between the ages of 20-29. One is under the age of 20.

Thirty-two of the positive cases in Scott County have been women while 22 positive cases have been African-American and 23 caucasian.

The number of positive cases has remained fairly stable elsewhere in the immediate counties. According to the New Madrid County Health Department, there have been eight positive cases in New Madrid County with five active and three recovered.

Mississippi County still has not recorded a positive case according to their health department while Stoddard County saw two new positive cases on Friday increasing their total to 15.

Other local counties recording positive tests were:

Bollinger 3

Butler 22

Cape 35

Dunklin 18

Pemiscot 11

According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, statewide there have been 5,283 positive coronavirus cases with 165 deaths, up 13 from Thursday.