Lawrence County Now Has 7 Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 Infection

Update (May 11, 2020): Management of Ozarks Methodist Manor in Marionville have confirmed that residents of the Lawrence County facility are those who have tested positive for Coronavirus, the only cases so far in that county.

The Lawrence County Health Department is now (May 7) confirming six additional cases of COVID-19 infection for the county.

All individuals are residents of the same care facility as the first case, reported last week. As of this writing, all residents of the facility have been tested for the Coronavirus, with three results still pending. Staff are also being tested. The LCHD is with working with the facility’s management to monitor the positive cases and those in close contact with the individuals.

LCHD Administrator Janella Spencer reminds the public that her department is required by law to protect individual health information, and therefore the amount of information that can be released is limited.

“We want the public to remember that COVID is still actively circulating and our county is not immune,” said Spencer. “Most people who get COVID-19 will only have mild symptoms; however, there are some members of our community who are at a higher risk of getting very sick.”

The LCHD is encouraging anyone that develops symptoms – such as fever, chills, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell, headache, or muscle pain to stay home and call their health care provider, or utilize one of the virtual visit services offered by local healthcare systems to get referred for testing.

Other actions the LCHD recommends include:

Frequent hand washing, either with soap and water for 20 seconds or a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.

Avoiding close contact with sick individuals.

Staying at home as much as possible.

Maintaining a distance of six feet between individuals.

Covering the mouth and nose with a face cover when around others.

Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then immediately disposing of the tissue.

Daily cleaning and disinfection of frequently touched objects and surfaces.