COVID cases rise in Cape Girardeau County as schools reopen 

The number of COVID cases is rising in Cape Girardeau County heading into the first days of school.

One-hundred-twenty-seven COVID cases were reported to the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center in July and 128 cases through the first two weeks of August.

While the July numbers don’t reflect the levels seen during the winter months, the numbers so far in August, if they continue, will rival COVID numbers from February.

A year ago, only 47 cases were reported in July.

As of Aug. 6, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that COVID cases were growing or likely growing in 32 states, declining or likely declining in three states. At that time, Missouri was considered stable or uncertain regarding reported COVID cases, though all surrounding states are likely growing or growing, the CDC reported.

The virus that causes COVID-19 is constantly changing with new variants, the CDC reports. New variants of COVID appear every three or four months. The current variants evolved from the omicron variant, the CDC reports. Nationally, deaths remain far below the peak of the pandemic from 2020 through 2022. The latest data released Aug. 10 showed 447 weekly deaths because of COVID, compared to nearly 26,000 weekly deaths during the pandemic’s peak in the fall of 2020. Hospitalizations have dropped from 35 people per 100,000 at the pandemic’s peak to 4.3 after the first week of August.

While fewer people are dying or being hospitalized from COVID, individuals with vulnerable immune systems and the elderly should take precautions to limit exposure, said Amber Grant, the nursing supervisor at the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center. Grant said the number of actual COVID cases in the county is almost certainly higher than what’s been reported. People with light symptoms may not test for COVID, and those who test positive on home tests may not have reported those cases.

“The biggest thing is, just in general, if it’s COVID or any kind of respiratory illness, to stay home, especially if you’re running a fever,” Grant said. “We look for symptoms to be improving and to be temper-free for at least 24 hours before returning to work or school. And just practicing good hygiene or respiratory etiquette, such as covering your mouth whenever you cough or sneeze; and then, you know, washing your hands after sneezing. If symptoms don’t improve, seek your health care provider to get tested or treatment might be needed.”

Grant said school districts have their own policies regarding COVID testing and absences.

Cape Girardeau Public Schools' policy states that parents should not send their children to school if they've had an elevated temperature of 100 degrees or higher within the previous 24 hours. Its policy, sent by the district's spokeswoman, does not mention any COVID-specific circumstances regarding a positive test.