Hospital asks for prayers

Prayers and protocol are ways to help COVID-19 patients, frontline workers stressed at the Wednesday briefing conducted by Butler County Emergency Management Agency Director Robbie Myers.

A total of 28 new cases were reported in Butler County on Wednesday, bringing the total number of cases to 916. Of the number, 715 have recovered. There have been a total of 11 deaths.

Butler County Health Department Director Emily Goodin discussed contact tracing as a way to keep students healthy and in school. Goodin also mentioned the need for the regular flu vaccines and the department’s mass media campaign.

Johnna Craft, Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center chief compliance officer, said the hospital is treating 20 COVID patients.

“There are a lot of prayers needed for our patients, their families and health care workers during these very trying times,” Craft said.

Boys and Girls Club Executive Director Chris Rushin said the number of students being served by the club are pretty much the same, 365 a day.

Explaining why his program emulates protocol, “it’s easy to understand because they read the numbers just like everyone.”

Poplar Bluff Fire Chief Ralph Stucker was among those participating in the briefing.