Free testing draws 602 from all over region

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For the second time since the COVID-19 pandemic began, Perry County played host to a community testing event. This time, however, it was coordinated by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, run by the Missouri National Guard and open to any Missouri resident, drawing nearly twice as many participants. The final tally showed 602 people from 17 counties in southeast Missouri and the St. Louis area were tested on Saturday and Sunday at City Park in Perryville. “The testing event went very well,” said Perry County Health Department director Sylvia Forester. “This time it was 100-percent staffed by the Missouri National Guard, and all the background work with registration and notification of negative reports was handled by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.” Forester added that Perry County’s interim Emergency Management director, Andrew Bohnert, also lent a hand with coordination and logistical efforts with the National Guard. “Andrew reported the National Guard unit that manned the event stated this was one of the most well attended they have conducted,” Forester said. According to the health department, which received the final report from the state Wednesday, 12 of those tests returned positive. Among those those tested, 397 were Perry County residents. Seven of the reported positives were local residents, five of which were new cases. “We were very pleased with the turnout numbers,” Forester said. “We had received many requests for another testing event. We are happy it was well received.” The testing came during a spike in positive cases in Perry County, which has seen 37 new cases — an average of 2.85 per day through Monday’s regular report from the health department — and four deaths. Since Gov. Mike Parson declared the state “open for business” on June 16, Perry County has seen a 115.3 percent increase in positive cases, rising from 85 to 183 confirmed cases of the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, and the health department has issued three public notices of COVID-19 exposure related to three bars and two restaurants. Monday’s report also included news of the county’s first case of a repeat infection. “The public health and medical communities at large continue to learn new information about COVID-19 regularly,” Forester said. “Decisions on counting an individual a second time in a county’s COVID-19 case count are done on a case-by-case basis by DHSS. After studying the specifics of the case, DHSS decided counting this as a second, separate infection, was the appropriate designation.” Forester said that this repeat infection is the first time a person will appear more than once on the list of confirmed cases. “A question we have been frequently asked by the general public is if repeat positive cases are included in the overall case count,” Forester said. “As such, we wanted to be sure to inform the public that up until this instance, no citizen has been counted twice in Perry County’s case count.” In regards to the recent spike of confirmed cases — which also resulted in a record high of concurrent active cases on July 8 with 81 — health department assistant director and epidemiologist Liz House said it was difficult to attribute the increase in cases to any singular cause. “We have widespread community transmission,” House said. “That is hard to get under control. Additionally, surrounding counties are also seeing an increase in cases which can also contribute to the problem. Large gatherings of people can also significantly contribute to the spread.” House said that it can take up to two incubation periods of the virus — from 14-28 days — to see an impact on the community from large events or local recommendations. “We are in the window where we will start to see the effects of the Fourth of July weekend and the Health Department’s recommendation for residents to not attend large events and not be with others outside of their household,” House said. Looking ahead, Forester and House agreed that the future is unclear when it comes to the virus. “There’s no way to tell how much worse it may get,” Forester said. “Numbers are going to depend on if citizens, businesses, and organizations take the responsibility to practice public health measures and do their part. I don’t think if you asked us this spring, if we would expect the numbers we are seeing in the middle of summer we would have said yes.” Forester added that following public health recommendations is key to fighting the virus. “Our department strongly recommends the use of face masks, particularly when social distancing cannot be maintained,” Forester said. “If citizens do not take personal responsibility and avoid large crowds and events, wear masks when within 6 feet of others, and stay home if they are sick or are awaiting test results, we may see an even higher increase in the number of COVID-19 positive cases and close contacts in our community.”