Total active COVID-19 cases now stand at 22

June 26, 2020

The Barton County Health Department announced two additional positive cases of COVID-19 in Barton County on Thursday, June 25. Total active cases in the county now stand at 22. The 21st case is related to the previous cluster of exposures in the western portion of the county and is not a result of community spread. The 22nd case is a known workplace exposure.

Neither of the two cases reported any community exposure and have been self-isolating since the onset of symptoms.

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 health department.

The Barton County 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.

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:

* 100.4 fever or higher – 90 percent will have a fever.

* Dry cough – 70 percent will have a dry cough.

* 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 health care 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 health care 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.