Warren County health officials this week are providing more information about how positive cases of COVID-19 are identified and tracked to limit the spread of the disease.

Six positive cases had been confirmed in Warren County as of Wednesday morning, April 1, according to the health department. That information can change daily, though, so updates on local case numbers are now being provided through the health department’s website, www.warrencountyhealth.com.

Statewide, the number of cases exceeded 1,300 as of Tuesday, according to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS).

Warren County public health nurse Stacey White said information on positive cases in Warren County is provided by DHSS after testing is done through private providers.

“Every lab is required to report positive cases immediately to the state health department. They in turn notify us immediately when a positive case is in our county,” White said.

She added there has been some concern about DHSS’s online case tracking not updating when new cases are reported in Warren County.

“We want to reassure the community that we are in constant communication with the state,” White said. “At times there are some delays on their end in updating their maps and state counts.”

White said the county is not aware specific considerations for any future actions at the state level.

Several resources are available for people who believe they have symptoms of COVID-19, including fever and shortness of breath.

However, people usually have to be screened to qualify for testing, and the criteria can change depending on the health provider, White said. Information about available testing can also change rapidly.

“We recommend individuals first contact their private provider by phone and follow their direction on testing,” White said. Other options include calling the Mercy hotline, 314-251-0500, to get screened over the phone, or going to SSM’s website, ssmhealth.com/COVID19, for screening. Both area hospitals provide drive-thru testing for approved patients.

Whenever positive cases are identified, White said the health department works to pinpoint who those people were in contact with.

“The Warren County Health Department does an extensive interview and investigation with the positive case to identify any contacts during the time-frame of concern,” White explained. “This includes reviewing in great detail everything they did, everywhere they went and everyone that came into their home or they came in contact with.”

To protect the identity of each patient, White said specific information about individuals is not released, only information that is necessary to protect public health. In the event a larger COVID-19 exposure is suspected, White said the health department will issue a public statement.

“We all have to assume at this point that everyone and every surface is potentially positive or contaminated. Practice social distancing and recommended cleaning (and) hand washing,” White instructed. “It is possible for anyone to be positive and have no symptoms.”