Online Update: LawCo Reports 2 Additional Cases of COVID-19, 3 for Week

After earlier this week reporting the first new case of COVID-19 in Lawrence County since an earlier cluster of seven cases were cleared, the Lawrence County Health Department today announced that positive results had come back on two more cases, bringing the total number of new cases reported this week to three.

Of the two new cases, one is another contracted from exposure in a Jasper County workplace; the LCHD said the individual has not traveled other than to work or home during the infectious period, therefore the public is not considered to be at risk. The second individual was already under quarantine upon return from travel outside the area and close contact with a positive case, and does not report having gone anywhere during the infectious period.

"All of the cases and their families/close contacts are quarantined at this time and will be monitored daily by the Lawrence County Health Department," said Janelle Spencer, LCHD administrator. "We want the public to remember that COVID is still actively circulating and our county is not immune."

Spence said that while it is true that most people who contract COVID-19 only have mild symptoms, there are many members of the community at a higher risk of getting very sick from potential infection.

"We must each do our part to protect them, ourselves, our loved ones and the rest of our community," said Spencer. "All of our cases contracted it outside of Lawrence County. It is still very important to be vigilant with staying out of large crowds, social distance (give everyone their personal space) and face coverings."

Recommendations to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus that causes COVID-19 include:

• Cleaning hands often, either with soap and water for 20 seconds or a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.

• Avoiding close contact with people that are sick.

• Staying home as much as possible.

• Putting distance between yourself and other people (at least 6 feet).

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

• Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue, and then throwing the tissue in the trash.

• Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces daily.

For more information about COVID-19, the LCHD recommends visiting the CDC’s website at bit.ly/about-COVID or calling the Missouri COVID-19 public information hotline at 1-877-435-8411.