Butler County sees second COVID death

A second Butler County resident passed away Wednesday because of COVID-19 infection.

There have been 15 area deaths associated with COVID-19 among the 1,046 reported in Missouri as of Wednesday.

Butler County health officials reported six new positive tests for COVID-19 on Wednesday, a day after announcing seven, the most the county had seen in a single day. Over the last three days there have been 18 new cases, raising the total to 33 over a two-week period and 117 overall.

New cases were also reported in Carter County, the first since June 15, and three new cases in Reynolds County, which had just two total since March 31.

Statewide there were 575 new positive tests for the virus, the second most after Tuesday’s high of 773 that featured some results delayed due to the holiday weekend.

There have been 1,768 new cases statewide over the last three days, pushing the seven-day average to a high of 468.

Results from free testing being conducted by the Missouri National Guard at the Libla Family Sports Complex will not be reported until next week. There were 308 tests provided Tuesday with testing continuing Wednesday and from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday.

Anyone interested in getting tested can register online through health.mo.gov/communitytest or by calling the state hotline at (877) 435-8411.

Common symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, trouble breathing, sore throat, muscle pain, and loss of taste or smell. Most people develop only mild symptoms, but some people, especially those with other medical issues, develop more severe symptoms, including pneumonia.

Of the 117 total cases in Butler County, a little over a third have been 60 or older while another third is between 40-59.

Area county totals:

Butler 117

Carter 7

Ripley 19

Stoddard 145

Wayne 5

Reynolds 5

Dunklin 111

Deaths:

Stoddard 9

Dunklin 3

Carter 1

Bulter 2

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevent recommends wearing a mask when out in public and states that increased testing should lower the number of new cases by identifying positive cases and prompting those patients to self-isolate.