Local counties at highest risk category under new Missouri public health warning

Local counties are experiencing some of the highest risks of COVID-19 in the state, according to a new public health warning issued by Missouri Gov. Mike Parson last week.

The new warning establishes three categories for counties that are based on positivity rate along with the number of cases per 100,000 residents.

The categories are extreme risk, with a 7-day positivity rate of 15% or above and a 7-day case rate per 100,000 of 350 or above; critical risk with a 7-day positivity rate of 10-14% and a 7-day case rate per 100,000 at 100-349; and serious risk, with a 7-day positivity rate at 5-9% or above and a 7-day case rate per 100,000 at 10-99. Counties must meet both criteria before falling into the category.

All local counties are part of the extreme risk category, according to numbers Tuesday morning reported by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

Scott County has a 7-day positivity rate of 31.1% with a 7-day case rate of 532.9. The last numbers reported by the Scott County Health Department had 757 active cases in the county with 40 deaths and 1,660 recovered.

Mississippi County has the sixth highest 7-day positivity rate in the state with 41.4% and 7-day case rate of 569. Numbers reported Monday by the Mississippi County Health Department had 44 new active cases since Friday and 264 current active cases in the county along with eight deaths reported since March. Of the active cases, 120 are in the community and 144 are in the Southeast Correctional Center in Charleston.

New Madrid County has a 7-day positivity rate of 34.7% with a 7-day case rate of 427.5. The latest numbers reported by the New Madrid County Health Department had 114 active cases in the county with 24 deaths with 1,230 out of quarantine.

Stoddard County has the fifth highest 7-day positivity rate in the state with 42.8% and 7-day case rate of 423.8. Numbers reported Monday from the Stoddard County Public Health Center had 371 active cases and 34 deaths with 1,603 recovered.

Cape Girardeau County has a 7-day positivity rate of 22.3% with a 7-day case rate of 570.6. According to the Cape Girardeau Public Health Center, there are currently 1,407 active cases in the county with 63 deaths.

The following guidelines are recommended by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services:

Category 1 (extreme risk):

• Business occupancy: Occupancy limits reflective of social distancing.

• Social group size: 10 or less.

• Masks: Strongly advised in all offices and businesses where social distancing is not possible.

Category 2 (critical risk):

• Business occupancy: Occupancy limits reflective of social distancing.

• Social group size: 25 or less.

• Masks: Advised in all offices and businesses with 10+ people where social distancing is not possible.

Category 3 (serious risk):

• Business occupancy: No limits.

• Social group size: Limited to maintaining 6 feet distance.

• Masks: Advised in all offices and businesses with 10+ people where social distancing is not possible.

Hospitalizations

The Cape Girardeau Public Health Department reports 107 patients in COVID Units, according to the Saint Francis and Southeast Hospitals, with 25 patients on vents.

The medical bed availability is 40% with 39% ICU availability and 24.37% ventilator availability at Cape Girardeau hospitals.