FOUR NEW COVID-19 CASES REPORTED IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
Confirmed cases of the COVID-19 virus have been reported in Butler, New Madrid, Stoddard, and Dunklin Counties.
According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, New Madrid County received its first positive case, Butler County its second, and both Stoddard and Dunklin Counties have reported their seventh confirmed cases of the coronavirus on Thursday.
All four patients are currently under quarantine.
The Health Department of each County, as well as the department of Health and Senior Services, are working to contact anyone who may have been exposed to the virus while the patients were active.
As of Thursday, there have been a total of 1,834 confirmed cases of the COVID-19 virus, and 19 deaths have been directly linked to the disease.
BUILDINGS AND OFFICES CLOSING IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
More office places and buildings in Southeast Missouri will be temporarily closing their doors due to the COVID-19 virus.
According to the Puxico Police Department, all parks within city limits, including veteran and library parks, will be closed until further notice. Walking paths will also be closed.
Additionally, officials with the Ozark Foothills Regional Planning Commission tell KWOC News that the Commission building, Ripley County Public Housing Agency, and Ozark Foothills Recycling Center, will be closed to the public.
These changes are expected to continue throughout April, unless extended due to concerns over the coronavirus.
ROAD IN POPLAR BLUFF SCHEDULED TO BE REDUCED FOR ROAD WORK
A road in Poplar Bluff will be reduced while crews perform road repairs.
According to the Poplar Bluff Street Department, the intersection of Main and 5th street will be reduced to one lane on April 13th while workers replace the bricks on the roadway.
The project is expected to be completed around April 27th.
MARK TWAIN NATIONAL FORESTS CLOSES PARKS DUE TO CORONAVIRUS
The Mark Twain National Forest has closed several parks as a response to the COVID-19 virus spread.
According to the Missouri Department of Conservation, there are several campgrounds and recreation areas that will be closed off from visitors in an attempt to slow the spread of the disease, and most gathering places will be temporarily suspended.
Trails will remain open, though visitors are urged to keep social distancing guidelines to prevent any potential spreading of COVID-19.
For information on all the camps and areas closing, contact the Forest’s grounds by calling 573-364-4621.
DRIVER INJURED FROM VEHICLE CRASH IN STODDARD COUNTY
Injuries were reported from a vehicle crash in Stoddard County on Thursday.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash happened on Missouri 153, north of Parma, where a vehicle drove off the roadway, struck a ditch, and overturned.
The driver suffered minor injuries as a result of the crash, and was transported to a hospital in Sikeston.
ONLINE PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED FOR RIPLEY COUNTY
An online Public Hearing is scheduled for Ripley County next week.
According to the Ozark Foothills Regional Planning Commission, the meeting will discuss the Counties Five-Year and Annual Plans, and will be held at 10 am on Monday.
You can view the plans by calling 573-785-6402, and instructions on how to participate in the meeting can be found by visiting the Ozark Foothills Regional Planning Commission’s Facebook page.
