More COVID-19 Deaths for Dade County; Area Positives Spike

by James McNary, Articles Editor

Dade County has had an additional 3 deaths from COVID-19 since last week, with 1 death confirmed on Oct. 17 and a further 2 deaths confirmed on Oct. 18 by the Dade County Health Department.

“The Dade County Health Department is saddened to announce the deaths of two Dade County residents due to COVID-19 since [the] last update,” stated the DCHD in a post on their Facebook page. “Our condolences go out to the family members.”

Dade County currently has 27 active cases of COVID-19, with 3 hospitalized residents, and 5 deaths. There have been 148 total positive test results, with 113 cases successfully recovered.

To prevent further spread of the Coronavirus-caused illness, the health department is recommending the following preventive measures.

“We encourage practicing social distancing, wearing a cloth face covering, washing hands often and staying home if you’re sick or running a fever,” read the DCHD statement.

Dade County residents with questions or concerns are directed to call the DCHD at 417-637-2345 during regular business hours, Monday-Thursday.

To the south, Lawrence County has 130 positive cases in isolation, with total 956 confirmed cases, and 24 deaths total. There have been 802 cases sufficiently recovered to be released from isolation. The Lawrence County Health Department announced additional deaths last Friday. Numbers are likely to continue changing as an outbreak continues in the Missouri Veterans Home at Mt. Vernon.

“We are announcing 8 additional deaths today [Oct. 16],” read the LCHD statement. “These unfortunate events took place over a [two] week period and were all associated with long-term care. Please keep these families in your thoughts.”

The LCHD also announced 22 new positive cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in the county that day.

“Some of our cases currently in isolation have mild to severe symptoms and some have been hospitalized in Springfield. This virus is highly contagious and is still circulating in our rural communities,” continued the LCHD statement. “Rural areas are NOT immune to this virus and we cannot stress enough the importance of wearing a mask when you are outside of your home. It is critical to social distance and avoid large events and gatherings. If you are in an environment in which it is not possible to social distance, don’t go. Friends and family members can carry this virus and are not immune. As we head into the influenza season, it is imperative that you take steps to protect yourself and others.”

In other neighboring counties, as of Oct. 16, Barton County has had 349 confirmed positive cases, with 281 recovered and 68 remaining active.

Cedar County announced 4 new cases on Oct. 16, bringing that county’s total to 264, with 26 cases current active. There have been 3 deaths from COVID-19 in Cedar County.

Polk County added over 100 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 last week, with 31 new cases added Oct. 16, 13 on Oct. 15, 22 on Oct. 14, and 60 between Oct. 9-13. There have been 1,039 cases reported in Polk County, with 134 currently active, 735 individuals quarantined, and 19 deaths.

The Jasper County Health Department, which serves all of the county outside Joplin, reported Oct. 16 that there were 3,194 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 233 individuals currently isolated, 27 individuals hospitalized, and 41 deaths. There have 2,920 individuals released from isolation since the outbreak began.

Greene County, including Springfield, had 8,759 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of Oct. 16, with 3,147 active, and 121 deaths – of those deaths, 44 have been since Oct. 1.