Butler County receives own rapid test machine

Butler County COVID-19 cases jumped by eight Wednesday, bringing the total to 278, and the number of patients hospitalized at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center have gone from zero two weeks ago to 11 inpatients, with four of those being on ventilators.

Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center Chief Compliance Officer Johnna Craft said, “We are having a rise in inpatients.”

She made the announcement at the COVID-19 weekly briefing provided by local officials. While the medical team is providing care for the patients, they are asking for prayers for the patients.

Butler County numbers have risen all week. On Monday, four positive cases were reported, and Tuesday, one was announced.

Butler County Health Department now has its own rapid testing machine, director Emily Goodin said. She calls having the machine “pretty exciting” with school getting back in session. The local center no longer has to share with Dunklin County.

Goodin said those wanting tests may call the health center for an appointment. Scheduled testing days are currently Tuesday and Thursday, but the department will be tweaking its schedules in the future, she said.

While Butler and neighboring counties are seeing “heavy days” with the number of cases being announced, Butler County Emergency Management Agency Director Robbie Myers attributes some of the increase to labs being backlogged and then reporting the confirmed cases.

Chris Rushin with the Boys & Girls Club said the after school program will reopen the first day of classes.

He’s pleased the program had 320 applicants in the first day and a total of 459 applicants so far. The program limit is 375, so Rushin knows he will have a waiting list.

While applications are taken online, he also is taking applications for frontline workers online.

Hank Voelker with the State Emergency Management Agency talked about the Federal Emergency Management Agency providing money for cloth masks for the school systems.

The Family Counseling Center has the SHO-ME Hope program grant, and those in need of assistance with coping skills may contact the facility at 573-559-5208 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For months, Americans have faced unexpected challenges and ever-changing reports surrounding the battle with COVID-19, but one consistent guideline has remained: wearing a mask in public settings will only help, not hurt, officials said.

On Tuesday, Wayne County had 70 cases, including four new cases and one death.

Carter County had 21 cases with one death.

Ripley had 58 cases, with four of those being new.

Reynolds had 16 cases and no deaths.

Stoddard had 233 cases, with three new cases and a total of nine deaths.

Dunklin County had 284 cases,with no new cases and has had fourth deaths.

Because some people can be infected with the virus and not feel sick or have any symptoms, the total number of infections may be much higher, health officials have said.

Common symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, trouble breathing, sore throat, muscle pain, and loss of taste or smell. Most people develop only mild symptoms, but some people, especially those with other medical issues, develop more severe symptoms, including pneumonia.