Officials from Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center confirms county’s first presumptive positive case of COVID-19

Late Monday, March 23, 2020, the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center was notified of the first presumptive positive case of COVID-19 reported by a commercial laboratory in Cape Girardeau County, MO. The individual is a 60 year old male which is currently in isolation.  Public health officials are investigating the situation and tracing any close contacts to the case. The method of transmission is unknown at this time. The case will continue to be monitored by the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center for the appropriate time frame. We expect to see additional cases confirmed locally due to increased testing in the community.

The number of cases can be reduced significantly by adhering to public health recommendations such as, social distancing, washing hands and staying home when ill. 

Residents with questions about COVID-19 or any individual with symptoms should call the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services’ 24-hour hotline at 1-877-435-8411 or their provider to discuss the possibility of testing.

For particular guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and more information about COVID-19 please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html.

For specific details about cases being reported in Missouri please visit the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services at: https://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/novel-coronavirus/.