POPLAR BLUFF R-1 SCHOOL DISTRICT SEEING DECLINING CASES OF COVID-19
The Poplar Bluff R-1 school district has seen a gradual decrease in issues from the coronavirus.
According to Superintendent Dr. Scott Dill, ever since the district implemented extended protection and safety guidelines, the number of students and staff that have been exposed or tested for the virus has declined.
By the end of October, around 10% of the district’s staff and students were absent due to being tested positive, or by being exposed to the virus through direct contact, or by contact tracing.
Once the mandates were passed, however, this number has decreased to less than 5%, and for the first time in the current school year, the high school is currently reporting no confirmed cases of the coronavirus. The junior high currently has 19 positive cases.
MISSOURI GOVERNOR MIKE PARSON ANNOUNCES MULTIPLE PROPOSITIONS IN REGARDS TO COVID-19 STATUS
Missouri Governor Mike Parson made an announcement on Thursday regarding the current status on the coronavirus in the state.
The announcement included a new bill for COVID-19 liability, that would provide protection for health care workers, as well as anyone who designs, manufactures, distributes, or donates products. Liability protection was also extended to premises for exposure claims.
A change was also made to the COVID-19 guidance for school districts, which applies to all Missouri K-12 schools with a mask mandate. According to the new guidelines, students and staff who are wearing a mask at school that have been exposed to the virus will not have to quarantine.
If a school district is not mandating face masks, close contacts to the individual who has been infected with the virus must be quarantined for at least 14 days.
In regards to a vaccination for the coronavirus, Governor Parson stated that a vaccine could be available in the future, though it is too early to make an official announcement of one.
EARTHQUAKES RECORDED ALONG RIPLEY AND RANDOLPH COUNTIES
Five earthquakes were recorded through Ripley and Randolph Counties.
According to the United States Geological Survey, the first quake registered 3 miles north of Fairdealing in Ripley County, at around 2 pm on Wednesday. It had a magnitude of 2.4.
The other four were reported in the vicinity of Maynard Arkansas in Randolph County on Thursday. The first hit at 1:40 am with a magnitude of 2.5, the second at 2 am with a magnitude of 2.4, the third was recorded at 3 am with a magnitude of 2.3, and the last was registered at 4:30 am with a magnitude of 2.2.
TOTAL CASES OF COVID-19 IN MISSOURI NOW OVER 225,000; ADDITIONAL CASES CONFIRMED STATE WIDE
The total cases of coronavirus in Missouri have passed 225,000, while the cases across southeast Missouri have continued to rise.
According to the Butler County Health Department, 37 new cases were confirmed on Thursday, making the County’s total cases 2,108. In Stoddard County, 54 cases were reported. The County now stands at 1,500 cases, and 31 deaths have been caused by the virus. Of the total cases, 300 are active, while 1,169 have recovered.
Dunklin County now stands at 1,720 cases of the virus. Of them, 1,551 have recovered, while 157 are currently active.
As of Thursday, the total cases of COVID-19 in Missouri have risen to 225,371, and 3,339 deaths have been directly linked to the disease.
If you are experiencing any symptoms of the virus, including fever, shortness of breath, or persistent coughing, you are advised to contact your primary healthcare provider before visiting any hospital or emergency room.
PARAGOULD MAN CHARGED WITH RAPE AND ASSAULT OF A MINOR
A Paragould man was taken into custody on Wednesday on rape and assault charges.
According to the Paragould Police Department, Corey Rollings was charged with two 2nd degree sexual assault charges, as well as two counts of rape.
These charges stem from an investigation made by the department after they received a call from the victim through the Arkansas Child Abuse Hotline. During the call, she described acts of sexual assault and rape by a man, who was identified as Rollings, when she was between the ages of 6 to 9.
He is currently awaiting a court hearing at the Greene County Jail, and is being held on a bond of $100,000.
FIREARM DEER SEASON BEGINS THIS WEEKEND
Hunters across Southeast Missouri are getting ready for this weekend and the beginning of firearm deer season.
According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, the November firearms portion of deer season will run from November 14th to November 24th.
Hunters can only take one antlered deer during the entire firearms season. Each county also limits the number of antlerless deer hunting permits you can fill during the season as well.
Officials say that if you harvest a deer from certain counties in the Chronic Wasting Disease Management Zone during the opening weekend, you must take your deer to a designated CWD sampling station.
You can find more information online at mdc.mo.gov.
