Health department reports two more COVID-19 cases in county

The Barton County Health Department has announced two additional positive cases of COVID-19 in Barton County. Total active cases in the county as of Monday, June 15, stand at nine. The eighth case is from a related exposure to the previous seven cases that have been reported since Thursday, June 11. The ninth case is a known work acquired exposure that was discovered during facility wide testing. Both cases are in the western portion of Barton County.

To protect the privacy of the individual and their family, the health department will not release individually identifiable details. The individuals are quarantined and being monitored closely by the Barton County Health Department.

The health department is working in conjunction with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to determine any close contacts of this individual who were possibly exposed. Those person(s) will be provided with specific instructions on appropriate social distancing, monitoring and immediate actions should they develop signs and symptoms of COVID-19.

Prior to being diagnosed, one case visited the following businesses on Friday, June 12: Spirit 66 Food Mart, 703 W. 7th St., Joplin, from 10 p.m. to 12 midnight; Guitars Rock N’ Country Bar, 1800 W. 7th St., Joplin, from 10 p.m. to 12:50 a.m.; Taco Bell Drive Thru, 2315 W. 7th St., Joplin, from, 10 p.m. to 12 midnight and Walmart Supercenter, 2710 N. Broadway, Pittsburg, Kan., from 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

These are considered to be low risk exposures.

While COVID-19 is spread from person to person, more than 80 percent of the patients who develop it will only become mildly ill. The concern is for patients with underlying medical conditions and the elderly, who are more likely to need hospital-level supportive care.

Primary symptoms to be aware of include a 100.4 fever or higher - 90 percent will have fever; dry cough – 70 percent will have a dry cough and shortness of breath - for those who become more acutely ill.

To be evaluated for symptoms of COVID-19, or if symptoms worsen, the health department asks individuals to call their local medical provider or hospital before seeking treatment. People who feel they might have the virus need to give healthcare providers a warning so safety precautions can be taken before their arrival to help prevent the infection of health care workers and others at the facility.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is operating a hotline for residents and healthcare providers to call for information and guidance about COVID-19. The statewide hotline number is 877-435-8411. The hotline is being operated by medical professionals and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.