COVID-19 UPDATE: Portageville High School suspends summer athletic activities

Portageville High School has suspended summer athletic activities while the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Department notified the public of possible exposure at the Cape Girardeau Sportsplex.

On Monday, Portageville High School elected to suspend summer athletic activities until July 13 as a result of athletes coming into contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

In a statement released on social media, “This decision is based on the well-being of our athletes, coaches, parents and community as our top priority.”

In a news release Saturday, the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Department released a statement that athletes who took part in events at the Cape Girardeau Sportsplex on the dates of 10:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. June 23-24; 8:15 a.m.-noon June 25; 7:30 a.m.-11:45 a.m. June 27 along with at the Shawnee Sports Complex from 5:30 p.m.-10:45 p.m. June 23 could have been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19.

“We strongly encourage anyone who was at the Sportsplex during this time period to closely monitor themselves for signs and symptoms due to the potential exposure,” said Maria Davis, health educator for the Cape Girardeau Public Health Center. “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.”

Anyone who develops any symptoms that are consistent with COVID-19, they should self-isolate immediately and contact their primary care physician to determine the need for testing, Davis said.

“We are working closely with the Parks and Recreation Department, and feel confident that they are taking all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of their patrons,” Davis said. “This is yet another reminder for all of us to interact with our environment carefully. When we go out in public, we need to practice physical distancing and wear a mask. If someone is sick or thinks they may be sick, they need to stay home.”

Meanwhile, locally cases went up over the weekend as the Scott County Health Department reported six new cases since Friday. One new case was reported Saturday, one on Sunday and four on Monday, giving the county 162 positive cases with 29 active and 122 recovered. There have been 11 deaths.

Of the new cases, five are between the ages of 20-29 with one over the age of 80. Three are male and three female.

The New Madrid County Health Department last reported 38 positive cases with five active and 33 released from isolation. There has been one death in the county.

The Mississippi County Health Department last reported 89 positive cases with 42 of those being in the general population of Mississippi County. Of those, nine are active cases. There has been 47 inmates test positive at the Southeast Correctional Center in Charleston along with 19 members of the staff. Of those, the Missouri Department of Corrections reports 29 of the offenders have recovered along with eight members of the staff.

The Stoddard County Public Health Center last reported 131 positive cases in Stoddard County with 13 active. There has been 110 recoveries and eight deaths.

The Dunklin County Health Department is reporting four additional cases from Friday afternoon. There are currently 94 cases in Dunklin County with 28 active with three deaths and 63 recovered.

The Pemiscot County Health Center last reported 110 positive cases, one additional case from Friday. There are four active cases with 100 recovered and six deaths.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services reported 21,043 cases Monday afternoon, an increase of 1,129 cases since Friday afternoon. To date there has been 998 deaths in Missouri, an increase in eight deaths since Friday. Of the 998 deaths, 514 have been over the age of 80 with 247 between the ages of 70-79. There have been 91 deaths in the state under the age of 59.

There were 412 hospitalizations reported Monday, the lowest total in Missouri since April 19.