Dunklin, Scott counties see positive COVID-19 cases

This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). This virus was identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention via AP)

Two new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed with one in Dunklin County and the other in Scott County.

The Scott Count case was tested by a private lab, according to health.mo.gov/coronavirus.

The Dunklin County Health Department has been notified of the first positive case of COVID-19 in Dunklin County. The case is travel-related and the patient, a female in her seventies, is quarantined at home.

Health Department staff are working in coordination with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) to determine any close contacts of that individual who were possibly exposed. If there were any, health officials will provide guidance to these individuals and monitor them closely for the development of symptoms.

Dunklin County officials stress that residents should not panic and not go to hospital emergency rooms. Those with symptoms--fever and cough or difficulty breathing--should call their health care provider to discuss their situation prior to arrival at a facility.

“The best tips for prevention are still social distancing and proper handwashing,” said Kim Hughes, executive director of the Dunklin County Health Department. “Staying home if you are sick and avoiding close contact with others will help us limit any spread. It’s important to note that community transmission is not a factor at this point in Dunklin County.”

Friday morning, Gov. Mike Parson announced that the number of confirmed cases in Missouri is at 47. That is an additional 19 positives compared to where the state was on Thursday. This number did not include the Dunklin County case.

This story will be updated with more information when it becomes available. A statewide COVID-19 hotline also operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 877-435-8411.