Mass testing event Friday

A total of 27 new Butler County COVID-19 cases were reported Wednesday, bringing the number to 1,512 people who have tested positive.

Butler County Health Department Director Emily Goodin made the announcement at the weekly COVID-19 briefing session.

“I’m seeing a lot of people come through already today,” Goodin said of the weekly mass testing at the health center. “So we’re expecting probably high numbers like we have in the past.”

Again, Goodin thanked the Poplar Bluff Police Department for helping with traffic control and First Christian Church for the use of its parking lot..

“We are gearing up for the National Guard doing COVID testing from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, at Whiteley Park,” located on Highways 53 and 142 in south Poplar Bluff, she said.

Goodin said, the guard will be here in November and December.

“So we’ve got a few more National Guard sessions,” Goodin said. “We’re going to continue with our COVID mass testing here at the health department in November. Those dates will probably come out next week. We’re going to take a week off next week from our mass testing, but we will still have appointments for rapid testing.”

Goodin announced a drive thru flu clinic will be held at the health department Oct. 29, “so we encourage everyone to get their flu shot.”

Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center chief compliance officer Johnna Craft said, “We have 16 positive COVID-19 patients in-house right now.”

Craft called this a large number requiring lots of staff and resources.

“As I asked every time, just continue to pray for everyone,” Craft said.

SEMA Region II Coordinator Hank Volker joined the briefing to tell the group, SEMA has now processed over 900 resource requests throughout the state at its emergency operation center.

Volker said, just as the National Guard will be arriving in Poplar Bluff, “SEMA also has shipped out our DMAT, Disaster Medical Assistance Team, in assisting and testing. Probably by this weekend, they’re going to be at about 180 missions. Obviously, this has never been done before. So, we’re still working really hard.”

As of Wednesday, Volker said, there’s been an additional 20 local government and nonprofit organizations which have applied for public assistance through FEMA.

“We’re now up to 785,” he said. “Last time, I reported we were at 716.”

As a reminder, Volker said, “if you are new to the ball game and listening and you’re interested in this, and you’re a nonprofit, or government entity and interested in public assistance through FEMA for COVID-19, realize this is different than CARES money. This is not CARES money, this is FEMA money. Reach out to either me or Robbie (Myers, Butler County EMA director), we will get you to the correct website on how to apply.”

Poplar Bluff Fire Chief Ralph Stucker reminded the group of other safety concerns they need to remember.

“We’re going to be doing a time change this week at two o’clock Sunday morning,” Stucker said. “We encourage everybody when you change your clock to change the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. If a smoke detector is over 10 years old, it needs to be replaced. Carbon monoxide detectors need to be replaced after five years. If you have fire extinguishers, check them to make sure they’re still OK.”

Stucker advised, with the cold weather coming on, either make or check any emergency kits you may have for your vehicle or your home. Service your heating system or clean your chimneys prior to winter setting in.

“Always check with family members and elderly who you’re related to or live close to and make sure that they’ve got everything they need,” Stucker said.

Boys and Girls Club Executive Director Chris Rushin said, “we did see another uptick in our average daily attendance for the week; we’re sitting right at 390. So, hopefully, our kids can keep from getting quarantined or keep from getting the virus itself. Hopefully we’ll go over 400 next week. So we’re going to continue to follow the guidelines and protocols we’ve been successful with so far.”