Officials from Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center confirm three positive COVID-19 cases in Cape County

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — The Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center has confirmed three positive cases of COVID-19 in Cape County.

Two patients received care in Saint Francis Medical Center’s COVID-19 Care Unit on Sunday and discharged to quarantine care at home on Monday, the Health Center said. One patient is from Cape County and the other from Bollinger County. The Bollinger County patient will be reported as a Bollinger County case, according to Maria Davis, health educator for the Cape County Public Health Center.

“Because this is a medical hub from many surrounding counties, we expect to receive other county cases here seeking medical care,” Davis said early Thursday.

One patient who received care at one of Southeast Health’s clinic location tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday. This patient lives in Cape Girardeau County and currently in the hospital’s isolation unit, according to the Health Center’s update on Wednesday.

The third Cape County patient tested positive for the virus at another Cape County provider not associated with either hospital. Further details on this case have not been provided.

“We would like to remind everyone that the number of cases we see in our community can be reduced significantly by adhering to public health recommendations such as, social distancing, washing hands, and staying home when ill,” Davis said in a news release.

As testing capabilities increase, the health department said it expects a significant increase in cases.

“Please don’t panic; prepare. About 80% of those infected recovers after mild symptoms,” Davis said. “Others, especially the elderly and those with serious chronic medical conditions, may experience more severe symptoms, including pneumonia that requires hospitalization and sometimes death.”

The communitywide Coronavirus Test Collection Center is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through from 9 a.m. to noon Friday and Saturday at Arena Park in Cape Girardeau. This is a joint endeavor between SoutheastHEALTH, Saint Francis Healthcare System, Cape Girardeau County Public Health and City of Cape Girardeau. Patients must make an appointment first by calling the Coronavirus Community Nurse Hotline, which is staffed from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week.

Nurses provide screening for anyone who thinks they have been exposed to COVID-19. If a patient meets the strict DHSS and CDC screening criteria, the patient will be directed to the Coronavirus Test Collection Center. Anyone seeking a test should call the hotline at 573-331-4200.