Local counties see increase in COVID-19 cases

Specialist Charles Hill of the Army National Guard delivers a COVID-19 test, at the Southeast Missouri State University-Sikeston campus, on Monday. Approximately 198 tests were conducted during the testing.

Alex Wallner/Standard Democrat

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is reporting 179 new positive cases of COVID-19 across the state Tuesday with 21 new deaths.

That brings the number of positive cases in Missouri to 14,913 with 840 deaths.

The Scott County Health Department is reporting two new cases Tuesday with five more having recovered. The additional positive cases gives Scott County 124 positive cases with 28 active and 85 recovered. There have been 11 deaths.

Of the two new cases, one between the ages of 20-29 and one between the ages of 60-69.

Drive thru testing was conducted in Scott County on Monday and around 198 tests were given according to the Scott County Health Department. The results typically take 2-7 days to return.

The Mississippi County Health Department reported four new positive COVID-19 cases Tuesday morning. Currently Mississippi County has 66 positive cases with 47 of those inmates at the Southeast Correctional Center in Charleston. Nineteen members of the staff at Southeast Correctional Center have also tested positive.

The DHSS is reporting an additional positive test in New Madrid County Tuesday, giving the county 23 positive cases.

The Stoddard County Public Health Center released some detailed numbers late Friday afternoon. Of the entire 104 cases reported in Stoddard County as of Friday afternoon, 39 are from Crowley Ridge Nursing Home with 24 of those active and nine recovered. There are 21 residents who are still active positive along with three members of the staff. There have been six deaths from the nursing home.

Outside of Crowley Ridge Nursing Home, there are 65 positive cases with 31 of those active and 34 recovered. Of those active cases, 16 are in Dexter, eight in Puxico, six in Bernie and one in Dudley.

The DHSS is reporting Stoddard County with 109 cases early Tuesday afternoon.

Stoddard County saw an increase in cases outside of the nursing home last week and Ben Godwin, Stoddard County Public Health Center administrator said many were a direct result of attending social functions where social distancing was not practiced.

“We cannot stress enough the importance of taking these measures to protect yourself, your friends and your loved ones,” said Godwin. “If we are not smart about our protective measures, we feel numbers will continue to increase.”

Stoddard County will be conducting free testing from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Lighthouse Church in Dexter. To receive the free test, you must first pre-register by calling 877-435-8411 or online at health.mo.gov/communitytest.

The Pemiscot County Health Center is reporting 94 total cases with five deaths with two people hospitalized and 81 released from isolation.

The Dunklin County Health Department reported their third death due to COVID-19 Tuesday. There are 52 positive cases Tuesday afternoon, with 17 of those active and 32 recovered.

Several Butler County offices temporarily closed Monday, the day after a second courthouse employee tested positive for COVID-19.

The offices are looking at being “shut down for two weeks,” said Butler County Emergency Management Agency Director Robbie Myers.

The DHSS also is reporting that Butler County saw an increase of two cases Tuesday, giving them 41 and Cape Girardeau County is reported to have 86 positive cases.