Stoddard County Health Center Director Ben Godwin, has confirmed 64 new cases of COVID-19 since the last update on Wednesday, September8th. 

The county now sits at 181 active cases of COVID-19 and 89 COVID-19 related deaths.

Stoddard County has seen 4596 total confirmed case of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic.

Broken down by age group the confirmed cases since the start of the pandemic are:

0 to 19 - 744 cases

20 to 29 - 681 cases

30 to 39 - 624 cases

40 to 49 - 693 cases

50 to 59 - 590 cases

60 to 69 - 563 cases

70 to 79 - 411 cases

80-plus - 290 cases

Broken down by gender the county has confirmed 2,048 cases in males and 2,548 cases in females.

Godwin released an update on the nursing facility outbreak. There have been 61 total confirmed cases with 3 active cases. The three active cases are among the residents, there are no active cases among the the staff. There have been eight deaths in nursing homes.

An updated community breakdown of active cases has been released. These numbers do not include the nursing facility outbreak. Dexter has 74 active cases, Bloomfield 28, Advance 21, Bernie 18, Bell City 16. Puxico 13, Essex 5, Parma 2 and Dudley 1.

Dexter, MO - Tyson Foods in Dexter is recalling almost 4,500 tons of ready-to-eat chicken products after find listeria bacteria according federal officials on Thursday.

Listeriosis is a serious infection primarily affecting older adults, those with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. It causes fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced the recall a month after two consumers reported falling ill with listeriosis.  Further investigation revealed one death besides the these two cases.  It was traced to pre-cooked chicken produced at the Dexter based Tyson Foods according to a statement from the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service.

The recall involves three dozen products containing pre-cooked chicken.  The recalled products bear establishment number "EST. P-7089" on the product bag or inside the USDA mark of inspection.  The chicken was shipped nationwide to retailers and institutions, including hospitals, nursing facilities, restaurants, schools, and military locations.

Dexter, Missouri - The City of Dexter's annual Fourth of July Fireworks Display is slated for Sunday, July 4, 2021 at dusk (around 9:00 p.m.) at East City Park.  Sunset is 8:22 p.m. on July 4th for Dexter.

In case of rain on Sunday, the fireworks show will be held on Monday, July 5, 2021. The city of Dexter Fire Chief, Don Seymore, will let the ShowMe Times know if there is a cancellation or change and will be announced on Facebook and Twitter.

The event is free and open to public.

"It will be in the same spot as last year.  The soccer fields and baseball/softball fields will be roped off, but there is plenty of parking at the fairgrounds, south of the ball fields, at the aquatic center, and around the levee," commented Trevor Pulley, Dexter City Administrator. "I hope everyone has a safe Independence Day and enjoys the annual fireworks show."

Just a reminder.........The city ordinance prohibits the shooting of fireworks inside the city limits however that will be waived on Sunday, July 4th to allow residents a chance to celebrate the holiday. 

Fireworks are also allowed at the park prior to and after the official city display. 

If rain cancels the fireworks display on the 4th residents will be able to shoot fireworks on the 5th, but only if cancelled!!!  

In the thirty-Fifth Judicial Circuit, State of Missouri Administrative Order

Covid-19 Operational Directives: Phase Four, Effective May 20, 2021

Beginning May 21, 2021, all Circuit, Associate Circuit and Municipal divisions of the Thirty-fifth Judicial Circuit will begin operations subject to Phase Four operational directives set out in this Administrative Order.  These operational directives will remain in effect until further order of the Court.

Phase four operational directives must remain in effect until further order of the Missouri Supreme Court and they may be extended if the incidence of COVID-19 significantly increases above the current relatively low level.  In the event of dangerous increase in the incidence of COVID-19, the Court may revert to lower Phase Zero or order a complete closure of the Court.  Different phases may be applied to different counties or different municipal divisions as circumstances warrant.

The Court will continue to apply the operational directives that have been in place. It is ORDERED that:

1.  No person exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms or who has been exposed to a person exhibiting those symptoms may enter a court facility.

2.  The use of face masks by litigants and staff if required.  The Court has masks to distribute if needed.  The face masks or covering requirement can be modified for good cause shown in a particular proceeding, such as when a witness is testifying.

3.  Only litigants, witnesses and attorneys will be admitted inside the building.  Family members and supporters must remain outside..  If a litigant believes that he or she cannot proceed without support, the litigant should contact his or her attorney and request a continuance.  The press will be admitted upon reasonable request.

4.  Everyone will exercise social distancing.

5.  Court personnel will work a full-time schedule, with exceptions to be allowed for vulnerable court personnel.

6.  All facilities will be cleaned no less than twice a day and everyone will practice good handwashing and protective hygiene.  Furthermore, hand sanitizer will be made available and encouraged to be used frequently throughout the day.

7.  In-person court proceedings have resumed and will continue to be conducted including grand and petit jury proceedings and will be in compliance with social distancing protocols and occupancy rate limitations applicable to the local community and comply with Supreme Court Operational Directives on Jury Proceedings.

8.  Matters involving vulnerable individuals ** may be taken up by video conferencing where possible and, where that is not possible, continuances shall be granted liberally.

9.  A copy of this order shall be posted at every public entrance to each court facility.

THIS ORDER MAY BE AMENDED AS CIRCUMSTANCES REQUIRE.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATE: May 21, 2021

Robert N. Mayer, Circuit Judge

** Vulnerable individuals are defined by the CDC as individuals 65 years or older or individuals with underlying medical conditions, particularly if not well controlled,including those who suffer from chronic lung disease, moderate to severe asthmas, serious heart conditions, immune disorders, obesity or chronic kidney or liver disease.

Tomorrow, Saturday, April 24, 2021 is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

The National Prescription Drug Take Back Day aims to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing of prescription drugs, while also educating the general public about the potential for abuse of medications.

Properly disposing of prescription drugs helps keep them out of our waters and landfills. To find a take back location near you, CLICK HERE.

Local Police Departments participating are Dexter Police Department,  Bernie Police Department, Malden Police Department and Puxico Police Department.