County health departments busy as coronavirus spreads

Friday, November 13, 2020

Local county health departments have been busy as the number of positive COVID-19 cases continues to climb.

On Thursday, the Scott County Health Department reported 94 positive cases, the highest one-day number of cases reported. There are 641 active cases in Scott County, the most at any point since the pandemic began, while 1,414 have recovered. Thirty-three deaths have been reported.

Due to the significant increase in cases, the health department is advising the public that there will be a delay in completing case investigations. They are asking for the public to be patient as they call positive cases and field multiple other calls each day.

Those who are tested are told to quarantine until they have their test results back. Those who test positive are told to isolate from household members for 10 days and let close contacts know you tested positive and ask them to quarantine for 14 days from their last exposure to you.

The New Madrid County Health Department reported 135 active cases on Thursday with 922 out of quarantine and 22 deaths.

The Stoddard County Public Health Center reported their highest number of active cases on Thursday, with 300. There has been 1,169 recoveries and 31 deaths reported as well.

The Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center has reported 281 cases in the last two days, with 154 Wednesday and 127 on Thursday. Currently there are 940 active cases with 3,210 recovered along with 60 deaths reported since March.

The Dunklin County Health Department reported a decrease in active cases on Thursday, going from 179 to 157. There has been 1,551 recoveries with 12 deaths reported.

The Pemiscot County Health Center reported its 19 death related to the virus on Thursday while the county currently has 144 active cases with seven hospitalizations. The health center reports 880 have been released from isolation.

The Mississippi County Health Department did not have any updated numbers on Friday morning but over 140 were tested at a free testing event held in the county on Thursday.

Health departments are reminding residents to:

• Avoid social gatherings of more than 10 people

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available

• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

• Stay home if you are sick.

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