Mass COVID testing available Oct. 21, 28

The number of new COVID-19 cases in Butler County announced Wednesday was 27, bringing the total to 1058, said Robbie Myers, Butler County Emergency Management Agency director. The number of COVID-related deaths remains at 11.

During the weekly briefing, Butler County Health Department Director Emily Goodin said the first mass COVID testing this week began at 8 a.m. Wednesday, with people lined up before 7 a.m.

Goodin thanked the Poplar Bluff Police Department for its help and said the health department staff plans to continue the mass testing on Wednesdays, Oct. 21 and Oct. 28.

A flu clinic is being held locally this week and next week in Neelyville and Twin Rivers areas, Goodin said.

She said, contact tracing is being held at the schools to keep the students healthy and in school.

Boys and Girls Club Executive Director Chris Rushin said, “some of our kids have to be quarantined. We are trying to keep our kids as safe as possible.”

The number of students being served by the club continues around 360 at seven different locations, Rushin said.

Johnna Craft, Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center chief compliance officer, said the hospital was treating 14 COVID patients Wednesday.

COVID-19 affects different people in different ways. Infected people have had a wide range of symptoms reported – from mild symptoms to severe illness.

Symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19: Fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting and diarrhea.

If someone is having trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, bluish lips or face and is showing any of these signs, seek medical care immediately.