Editor's note: This is a daily briefing updating the latest information on the COVID-19 pandemic at 4 p.m. each day.
The Butler County Health Department released a breakdown of positive tests for COVID-19 in the county Monday.
Of the 17 positive tests reported to the Health Department, six patients have recovered and one remains hospitalized while 10 are "unknown" outcomes. Eleven of the cases have been men while six are women. Five of the cases are of patients aged 60 to 69 while younger age groups have at least two positive tests.
The age breakdown for positive Butler County cases are:
20-29: 2 30-39: 3 40-49: 2 50-59: 3 60-69: 5: 70-79: 1 80-up: 1 Those numbers are similar to those found around the state with positive tests for those age 50-64 accounting for nearly a third of all cases. Younger age groups have accounted for 44.5% of the positive tests while those age 65 and older account for 24.4% of all positive cases.
Local health officials were able to release the information now that there were enough cases in the county. Due to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, known as HIPPA, health officials cannot release patient information that might identify them.
Health officials could not release the number of tests taken by county residents because the state lab is no longer sending them results of negative tests due to the volume of tests. Private labs are also doing tests and are only require to notify the county health department if there is a positive test.
Once a patient is informed of a positive test, health department officials work on contact tracing to determine if anyone was exposed to the virus.
A month after the state reported its second positive case of COVID-19 there are now 4,388 and 114 deaths.
During the daily briefing in Jefferson City with Gov. Mike Parson, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Director Dr. Randall Williams said roughly 45,000 tests for COVID-19 have been conducted in the state.
"This is not the time to let up," Williams said. "This is the time to continue to practice social distancing."
Missouri Highlands Health Care will open a test collection site Tuesday at the Mansion Mall parking lot in Poplar Bluff.
Tests will be conducted by appointment only.
Anyone wanting a test must call the Missouri Highlands at 573-727-8285 to be pre-screened. If a patient meets the requirements a testing appointment will be provided. Testing, and the phone screening, will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
MORE TO COME
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A look at stories you might have missed from the DAR:
• Butler County sees 2 more positive COVID-19 cases • After Stoddard County, state issue stay-at-home orders, other local counties follow suit • AWA to take part in ACTS Day
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A look at three stories from the Associated Press:
• NY death toll surpasses 10,000; new hot spots slow to emerge • Relief money is coming - for some. Here's what to know • States largely have authority over when to shut down, reopen Latest coverage from AP.
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As of 2 p.m. Monday, April 13:
US DEATHS: 23,070 Mo. Deaths: 114 (+4) Mo. Cases: 4,388 (+228)
Cases by area county: Butler County: 17 Carter: 3 (1 death) Dunklin: 16 Stoddard: 11 Ripley: 3 Reynolds: 2 Wayne: 0 Perry: 36 Cape: 30 (1 death) Scott: 24 St. Francois: 23 (1 death) New Madrid: 8 Pemiscot: 8 Bollinger: 3 Madison: 1
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From the AP: For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death. The vast majority of people recover.
Here are the symptoms of the virus compared with the common flu.
One of the best ways to prevent spread of the virus is washing your hands with soap and water. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends first washing with warm or cold water and then lathering soap for 20 seconds to get it on the backs of hands, between fingers and under fingernails before rinsing off.
You should wash your phone, too. Here’s how.
The Missouri coronavirus information hotline is 877-435-8411.
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