Butler County reports 8 new coronavirus cases

Butler County set a new daily record for positive cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday with eight new cases.

That brings the county's total number of cases to 168 since its first positive test on March 31, and 101 new cases since Missouri entered phase two of its reopening on June 16, which included no statewide health restrictions.

Johnna Craft, Poplar Bluff Regional Medical center director of risk management and facilities compliance officer, said the hospital has two patients currently with coronavirus, but neither require mechanical support such as a ventilator.

Butler County Health Department administrator Emily Goodin said the county is taking appointments for its rapid testing machine for the upcoming two weeks, starting Monday, and the health department is currently coordinating with area schools and checking on their plans for the upcoming school year.

"We are providing the (Gamma Healthcare) COVID testing on Tuesday's and Thursday's," Goodin added.

Butler County has had three coronavirus deaths since June 28 and has reported at least one new coronavirus case each day since July 5.

Its previous daily high of seven cases occurred most recently July 13. Eight new cases represent a one-day increase of 5%. The statewide increase Wednesday, with a record 1,301 new cases, was 3.61%. Missouri topped 1,000 new cases for the first time Tuesday, with 1,138 cases.

Similar increases are occurring throughout Southeast Missouri.

Dunklin County and Ripley County also reported record one-day increases this week.

Dunklin County reported 13 new cases Monday for 164 total cases and three total deaths, but no deaths since June 9. Its previous one-day record increase was eight new cases on July 10.

Ripley County reported a one-day record increase Tuesday of four new cases, bringing its total to 34 cases, with 14 cases reported since July 14.

Stoddard County reported six new cases on Monday and six more on Tuesday for 177 total cases and nine total deaths, but no deaths since June 29.

Carter County reported one new case Wednesday, its fourth new case since July 8, for 10 total cases.

Reynolds County has not had a new case since July 11, and Wayne County has not had a new case since July 6. Those two counties are currently holding at 10 and five total cases, respectively.

Since Missouri Governor Mike Parson lifted all statewide restrictions on June 16, these seven counties have gone from 274 total cases to 568 cases.