COVID-19 update: East Prairie's administrative building closes due to COVID-19 spike

In response to a spike in COVID-19 cases, the city of East Prairie’s offices are closed until further notice.

“Over the last several days, both Mississippi County and the East Prairie community have experienced a substantial increase in COVID-19 cases," City Administrator Dennis Presley said Tuesday in a Facebook post on the East Prairie Police Department’s official page. "As a precaution to protect both our staff and the community from the COVID-19/coronavirus, the City Administration Building is closed to the public until further notice. We are truly sorry for the inconvenience to you. Payments may be made online or in the drop-box.”

City staff members are still accessible to you by appointment during our regular business hours, at 649-3057 via the following extensions: 
To discuss water/sewer billing issues or a repair issue, City Collector Mary Anne Mainord, ext. 2; City Clerk Lori Lemons, ext. 4; Municipal Court Clerk Darlene Cave, ext. 3; Code Enforcement Officer/Building Inspector Collin Cecil, ext. 5; and City Administrator Dennis Presley, ext. 1 or 683-0026.

“Thank-you for your patience and cooperation,” Presley said.

According to the Mississippi County Health Department, as of Monday morning — the most recent update available — 21 new positive cases were been reported since Friday, making 150 cases in the general community. Currently, there are 63 active cases with 87 out of isolation. Of the active cases, 50 have been confirmed while 13 are probable. In the past 72 hours, the total number of COVID-19 cases in Mississippi County increased from 176 to 197, update said.

The health department also encouraged residents to continue to take precautions.

“Your risk of COVID-19 increases the closer you get to others and the longer you interact with them,” the health department said. “Take steps to help safely resume daily activities and slow the spread of COVID-19 by wearing a mask, avoiding crowds, choosing outdoor spaces, staying at least 6 feet apart from people who don’t live with you; and bringing tissues and hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.”

The Missouri Department of Corrections reports four of the 24 staff members at the Southeast Correctional Center in Charleston who have tested positive for the virus are still active with all 47 inmates who tested positive have recovered.

On Tuesday, the Scott County Health Department reported 10 new positive cases, bringing the total number of active cases to 163.The total number of people who have recovered is 335, and there have been 13 deaths.

“We are still strongly recommending that you continue to social distance to prevent the spread of this disease,” the Scott County Health Department said on Monday. “Please stay home from work and other activities if you are feeling sick or have a close family member sick. Wear a mask when out in public to protect you and others. Also, if you have COVID-19 symptoms, please contact your primary care physician to determine if you need testing.”

The total number of active cases in New Madrid County decreased by 16 from Friday to Monday, according to the Health Department on Monday. There are 44 active cases with 252 out of quarantine and four deaths and a total of 296 cases.

In Stoddard County, four new cases were reported Tuesday, according to the Public Health Center’s COVID-19 report. There are currently 16 active cases in the Stoddard County with 224 recovered and nine deaths, according to the Tuesday report. There are a total of 249 total positive cases in the county since March.

The Dunklin County Health Department reported 10 additional active cases from Saturday to Monday, making 105 active cases in the county. There have been 250 recoveries and four deaths with a total of 359 confirmed cases.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Pemiscot County Health Center reported a decrease by four in active cases, bringing the total of active cases to 34. There are three residents currently hospitalized and 237 have been released from isolation with nine deaths. There have been a total of 280 confirmed cases.

Cape Girardeau County saw a decrease of nine active cases from Monday to Tuesday, giving the county 124 active cases as of late Tuesday afternoon. There have been 661 recoveries and six deaths in the county.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services reported 794 new cases with 6 additional deaths in the last 24 hours Tuesday afternoon. Missouri has had 69,417 cases since the pandemic began and 1,402 deaths.