Free COVID testing still available as Butler County reports four new cases Friday

Butler County Health Department will offer free COVID-19 testing in June and July at their office, 1619 N. Main St.

There have been 10 new cases of the virus confirmed this week in the county, including four on Friday, according to health department officials. There have been 75 confirmed cases in total, with an approximately 47% increase in the last week and a half.

The county currently has one person hospitalized, 41 people who have recovered and 33 people who are not listed as either recovered or hospitalized.

There have been four people under the age of 19 test positive this week, including two children under the age of 9. The number and age ranges of others who have tested positive are: nine, age 20-29; seven, age 30-39; eight, age 40-49; 17, age 50-59; 19, age 60-69; 10, age 70-79; and one, age 80 or older.

Testing at the health department is available to those age 16 or older. Private providers are also conducting testing.

The health department testing includes rapid tests with results received in 20 minutes, and naspharyngeal swabs, which can take between one and five business days to receive results.

The state had 17,201 confirmed cases as of 2 p.m. Friday, according to Missouri’s officials.

Cases have seen a 6.7% increase over seven days. Data regarding the increase reflects a 72-hour delay in reporting.

The state reported almost 600 people hospitalized with COVID-19, as of 72 hours ago.

There have been 948 deaths in Missouri attributed to the illness. Nationwide, there have been 118,894 deaths reported, according to Johns Hopkins University.

For more information, or to schedule a test, the health department can be reached at 573-785-8478.