Cases rise as state prepares to fully reopen

As Missouri prepares to enter Phase 2 of its “Show Me Strong Recovery Plan” on Tuesday, COVID-19 positive cases continue to increase in the area.

Sikeston business, Alan Wire’s west plant was closed on Friday, set to reopen Monday at 7 a.m., related to COVID-19, according to an email sent to employees. Attempts to contact officials at Alan Wire were not successful at press time.

Across the state and locally however, Missourians are preparing to reopen without restrictions.

Beginning Monday, Sikeston City Hall will be open to the public weekdays from 8 a.m. – 4:45 p.m. City Hall will close each day at 4:45 p.m. for thorough cleaning and sanitation.

Also beginning Monday, the City of Sikeston will begin taking reservations for the Clinton Building once again, and all park playgrounds will be open. The City encourages visitors to these facilities to practice social distancing and good hygiene to avoid the spreading of illnesses.

Effective Monday, all facilities will re-open at both A.E. Davis Park and Kathie S. Simpkins Park in East Prairie and those using the parks are asked to continue to observe the social distancing requirements, as posted.

All city parks in Charleston will also reopen for full use on Monday. Those enjoying the parks are asked to practice social distancing. Picnic pavilions will not be sanitized daily so it is encouraged that users clean picnic tables with a sanitizing product before use.

As things such as parks reopen, the number of positive continues to increase.

There were four new cases reported in Scott County Friday afternoon according to the Scott County Health Department, giving the county 132 cases. Of those, 32 are active with 89 having recovered. There have been 11 deaths.

Of the four new cases, one is under the age of 19, one is between 20-29, one is between the ages of 30-39 and the other between the ages of 50-59.

Mississippi County saw an increase of three cases on Friday, giving the county 71 positive cases. The Mississippi County Health Department reports the three new cases are in the general community, making 24 that have tested positive outside of the Southeast Correctional Center, which currently has had 47 positive COVID-19 tests among inmates. There have been 20 staff members at SECC also test positive for the virus.

Because of the increase in positive tests, the Mississippi County Health Department is partnering with SEMO Health Network and the Missouri National Guard to provide drive-thru testing on June 18 from 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. at the Opportunity Outreach Center in Charleston. There are only 150 tests and a registration form can be picked up at the Bowden Center. The test is for Mississippi County residents only.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services reported New Madrid County had an increase of three cases Friday afternoon, giving them 32 positive COVID-19 cases.

The DHSS also reported Stoddard County had three new positive cases Friday afternoon, giving them 113 cases while Dunklin County saw an increase in two cases Friday, giving the county 54 positive cases with 12 active.

The Dunklin County Health Department reports there have been three deaths while 39 have recovered. Of the two new cases, one is between the ages of 20-29 and the other between the ages of 40-49.

The Cape Girardeau County Health Department reported five new positive COVID-19 tests late Thursday, giving the county 101 positive cases.

Statewide, there were 195 new positive tests reported Friday with 12 additional deaths. To date, Missouri has had 15,585 confirmed positive tests with 872 deaths.