As health officials announced another positive test for COVID-19 to bring the total for Butler County to 139, the director of the Boys & Girls Club of Poplar Bluff revealed he had tested positive for the virus.
Chris Rushin posted on the club’s Facebook page and in a letter to parents Wednesday that he was tested Tuesday after developing a dry cough and low-grade fever the previous night.
“Our kids’ safety is our number one priority for everyone at the Boys & Girls Club,” Rushin wrote. “In an effort to be 100% transparent, I am sharing some very personal news.”
Rushin also told area officials during a weekly call Wednesday afternoon held by the Butler County Emergency Management Agency.
“At no time was I in direct contact with the kids,” Rushin said.
The club put protocols in place on June 2 in which Rushin followed, staying home Tuesday after developing symptoms. He was notified of the positive test at 4 p.m. Tuesday and then contacted the club’s administrative staff and Board of Directors. The Butler County Health Department also completed contact tracing, notifying anyone who may have had close contact with Rushin.
“Eternal thanks to Emily (Goodin) and the professional staff at the Butler County Health Department,” Rushin told officials.
Rushin will be in isolation for the next 14 days, working from home. He invited parents with questions to call the club’s office at 573-776-1690 and he will return their call as soon as possible.
“All of us should continue to remain vigilant and watch for symptoms and please contact the Butler County Health Department or your health care provider if you have any questions,” Rushin wrote.
A staff member at the club also tested positive for the virus on July 6 and with the help of the health department, informed anyone determined to have been in close contact with the employee.
Wednesday afternoon Rushin said he had a little congestion and a fever. He didn’t believe he was in a high-risk situation to be exposed to the virus.
“It’s very evident that anybody can contract this,” he said. “People need to be ever vigilant.”
Common symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, trouble breathing, sore throat, muscle pain and a 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.
Butler County has reported a new cases in each of the last 11 days with 46 in all over a two-week period.
Ripley County also reported a new positive test Wednesday to reach 23 total cases and four active patients in isolation.
Stoddard County reached 160 since the pandemic reached Southeast Missouri in late March, with two new positive tests being reported Wednesday and 22 active cases.
Dunklin County has reported 13 new cases over the last three days, including four Wednesday.
Goodin reported that a total of 634 tests were given during the three-day free testing held in front of the Libla Family Sports Complex and that there were 26 positive tests. The 4.1% positive return is similar to the 5.5% positive return of tests statewide.
Missouri health officials announced 888 new positive tests of the virus, the second-largest single-day increase after Tuesday’s record 936 new cases. Over the last nine days, the state has confirmed 5,858 new cases, setting the single-day record three times.
The seven-day average of new cases has jumped from 402 to 644 in that time.
Rushin said he and his family have taken precautions to avoid the virus such as canceling their vacation, eating at home, washing hands or using sanitizer and practicing social distancing.
The club has also followed guidelines to help prevent the spread of the virus, he said. With about 115 kids attending the After Summer School program over the past two weeks, Rushin said, “the evidence is clear that you can have school, we can have Boys & Girls Club with kids in it and do it safely ...”
Rushin said his disclosure of a positive test was for the club to be transparent to the community.
“People need to be educated on this,” he said. “We have a tremendous resource in the health department.”