Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center treating two positive cases; patients are not from Butler County

For the last several days, our hospital has been working collaboratively with the Missouri Department of Health and the health departments in our surrounding counties.

On separate accounts, two patients have presented to our emergency department and test results have confirmed both patients have the novel Coronavirus.

The patients remain in our care. Since identifying the patients as potentially having COVID-19, the individuals have been separated from other patients in appropriate infection isolation rooms which only a small team of caregivers access.

Visitors and other patients who might come to the hospital for treatment or procedures are not in this area of the hospital.

“I'm happy to report, COVID-19 protocols were already in place and all staff who came in contact with these patients followed all CDC guidelines.” said Bryan S. Bateman, CEO at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center.

It is important to note, the numbers reported by the state represent the county of residence for each individual. The presence of a COVID-19 positive patient in a Poplar Bluff hospital will not change the Butler County confirmed positive cases count which, as of this morning, is still zero.

Our hospital continually works to ensure preparedness for all types of infectious diseases. We are well prepared to support these patients during treatment, and to continue providing medical care for all patients in our care. We take seriously our role in helping to keep our community healthy, and we appreciate the agencies that are assisting us.

More information will be released if, and when, it becomes available