Local health department informs residents of potential COVID-19 exposure

Thursday, September 24, 2020

The Mississippi County Health Department is informing the community of potential COVID-19 exposure.

On Wednesday, the health department issued a statement notifying the community that potential exposure for employees and patrons that were at McClain’s Food Center Sept. 14-17. Those who visited McClain’s between those dates are being told to monitor themselves for symptoms through Oct. 1 due to the potential exposure.

Signs and symptoms may include: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, runny nose/congestion, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting and diarrhea.

“We also strongly encourage the use of face masks or coverings by all those potentially exposed when outside of their home in public and while at work, especially through Oct. 1,” the statement said.

Anyone developing any symptoms consistent with the virus are asked to self isolate immediately and contact their primary care physician to determine the need for testing.

Young adults with high rates of infection

According to a new Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, adults in their 20s had the highest rate of COVID-19 infections from June through August. Investigators found that adults, ages 20-39, in the southern US likely played a role in spreading the virus in their communities, including to older adults.

Local numbers

Locally, the Scott County Health Department reported 12 new positive cases on Wednesday along with 16 recoveries. Currently there are 109 active cases in the county with 723 recovered. There have been 16 deaths.

The Stoddard County Public Health Center reported eight new cases Wednesday along with an additional death. The death is the 17th in the county related to COVID-19 since the pandemic began in March.

Currently there are 107 active cases in Stoddard County with 399 recovered.

The Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center also announced an additional death attributed to COVID-19 on Wednesday. The individual was in their 90s and was the county’s 19 death related to the virus.

As of Thursday morning, there were 442 active cases in Cape Girardeau County.

The Pemiscot County Health Center reported 62 active cases on Wednesday with three hospitalized. There have been 440 released from isolation with 12 deaths.

The Dunklin County Health Department reported 200 active cases on Wednesday afternoon. There have been 468 recoveries and seven deaths.

Mississippi County and New Madrid County had no updated numbers as of 10 a.m. Thursday.

Free testing events

A free community testing event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at SEMO Health Network in East Prairie. Registration is required.

A free community testing event will be held from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday at Cape Girardeau County Arena Park. Registration is required.

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