Cape SportsPlex closed temporarily due to employee testing positive for COVID-19

The Cape Girardeau SportsPlex has been closed temporarily due to an employee testing positive for the coronavirus.

Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center and the City of Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department announced potential community exposure from the COVID-19 positive case.

In an announcement released Saturday night, officials said the potential exposures related to a known positive case of the disease associated with the coronavirus.

The possible exposures were connected with a part-time staff person who tested positive for the virus.

“While performing contact tracing on a positive case reported to the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center, we have determined that individuals that attended activities at the Cape Girardeau Sportsplex ... may have been exposed,” the release stated.

Dates and times associated with possible exposure at the SportsPlex were 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; 8:15 a.m. to noon Thursday; and 7:30 to 11:45 a.m. Friday.

Exposure at Shawnee Sports Center could have occurred from 5:30 to 10:45 p.m. Tuesday.

“We strongly encourage anyone who was at the Sportsplex during this time period to closely monitor themselves for signs and symptoms due to the potential exposure,” the release stated. “We also strongly encourage the use of facemasks or coverings by all those potentially exposed when outside of their home in public and while at work.”

Municipal officials announced Sunday the Sportsplex will be closed until at least July 5.

“While this has not been mandated by the Health Department, we want to ensure for the safety and wellbeing of all involved as much as we possibly can, while staying hopeful about resuming operations and programming soon,” a release stated. “The employee did not have any direct contact with participants or spectators, and we have identified and isolated any staff members who have had prolonged (30 minutes or more) contact, and will be verifying their health condition for the required period of time.”

The release stated anyone who develops COVID-19 symptoms should self-isolate and contact their primary care physician.

For further information, individuals may contact the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center at (573) 450-9546, or the city at (573) 339-6340 or visit www.cityofcapegirardeau.org/departments/parks/parks_c_o_v_i_d-19_program_changes?fbclid=IwAR1KZhlAWr8g_HvN4pdw5BvtLjmUh6ark8L0x9vT_InHH-I6k7sqvXzBv6k.

Cape County update

Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center reported five new COVID-19 cases Sunday.

The county’s total is 184, with 126 patient recoveries and three deaths.

Of the new cases, three were reported in Cape Girardeau, and two were reported elsewhere in the county.

Perry County infant case

An infant tested positive for COVID-19 in Perry County on Saturday as confirmed cases rose by nine.

This was the first infant to test positive in the county, according to Saturday’s social media post by the Perry County Health Department. The county also experienced a spike in cases Saturday, as nine positive COVID-19 cases were reported. The county currently has 63 active cases and 136 total.

Reporter Nicolette Baker contributed to this report.