Stoddard County sees COVID-19 spike/64th death

Stoddard County Health Center Director Ben Godwin has confirmed the 64th COVID-19 related death in the county as well as a spike in COVID-19 cases in the county. Godwin said the majority of the new cases are related to an outbreak in a nursing facility in Advance.

Godwin said the death was a resident in the facility. Godwin said as of Thursday afternoon nine residents and five staff had tested positive. Godwin said most of the positive tests have been vaccinated within six months. Godwin said the health center is working with the facility and all measures are being taken to prevent further spread.

Godwin stated that samples have been sent to the state lab to determine which variant of COVID-19 this is. Currently no cases of the Delta variant have been detected in Stoddard County, though Godwin said there have been cases of the Delta variant in southwest Missouri.

Godwin stated that getting vaccinated is still very important. The Stoddard County Health Center is currently keeping a list of those who wish to receive the vaccine and the vaccine is still being offered at pharmacies and area medical facilities.

Godwin is encouraging residents to continue to take precautions even though the numbers have decreased since the peak of the virus last year. He advised the following practices should be followed: wear a mask, stay six feet away from others, wash your hands often, get vaccinated, clean and disinfect and monitor your health and the health of those in your household daily.

The Stoddard County Health Center will continue to share updated COVID-19 information on its Facebook page.