Editor's note: This is a daily briefing updating the latest information on the COVID-19 pandemic at 4 p.m. each day.
Cases of COVID-19 in Missouri reached 2,000 on Friday as the state remains one of just 10 without a statewide stay-at-home order.
At 5 p.m. Friday, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson will hold a press conference in Jefferson City.
Butler County officials said during their daily meeting they are preparing to incorporate what Parson announces into local plans and release that to the public.
On March 23, Parson prohibited gatherings of more than 10 people. That executive order ends Monday.
Since the number of known cases has doubled in the last five days and has reached nearly every corner of the state, Parson could follow other states and issue a stay-at-home mandate. St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield and Columbia, among others, have already done that.
What does that mean?
Think of it like a warning for an approaching thunderstorm.
Over the past two weeks, the weatherman has been saying it might rain with some thunderstorms soon. When the day arrives, there's a thunderstorm and tornado watch in place. When there's a sighting of a tornado, a warning is put in place and everyone seeks shelter.
This is not a blizzard or a hurricane, you'll be able to get out of your house and get the things you need when needed.
Common sense tells us not to go out in a thunderstorm holding up anything metal or standing under a tree. That same common sense applies here.
Follow the CDC guidelines to protect yourself and your family.
We will have an update on our website and social media as soon as possible with the details.
Most people have voluntarily been under a stay-at-home order, working from home and only going out when necessary.
In states that have issued a stay-at-home order, residents can still go out for essential needs as long as they practice social distancing. Essential needs include medical care, grocery stores, restaurants (only providing takeout and delivery), pharmacies and gas stations. Banks, laundromats and hardware stores stay open.
Some businesses will limit the number of customers they allow in at one time to protect their employees and the public. But everyone will be able to get whatever they need, when they need it.
Some areas in the country have issued a shelter-in-place order. That means everyone is asked to stay at home as much as possible, but they are still allowed to go out for essentials.
In both types of orders, people can go out for a walk or exercise but are reminded to keep distance from other people.
A quarantine is for people who have been exposed to the virus and are asked to stay home for 14 days. This is happening on a case by case basis to help slow the spread.
Anyone who has the virus, testing positive, is put into isolation. Unless medically necessary, this mostly happens with a person staying in their home, again for 14 days. People who live with someone under an isolation order should use a separate bathroom, if available, wear a face mask and not share household items, the CDC says.
During the daily briefing with area leaders Steve Halter, president of the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce, said the Missouri Department of Labor is going to participate in the federal unemployment assistance program.
Under the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program, eligible individuals will receive an additional $600 in federal benefits per week. Federal law allows states to pay benefits when an employer temporarily ceases operations due to COVID-19, an individual is quarantined with the expectation of returning to work and an individual leaves employment due to a risk of exposure or to care for a family member.
On Thursday, the Missouri Department of Labor reported a total of 104,230 initial claims for the week ending March 28, an increase of 147% from the previous week. More than 89,000 were COVID-19 related.
Unemployed workers are encouraged to file their claims online at uinteract.labor.mo.gov .
A look at stories you might have missed from the DAR:
Third Butler County resident positive for COVID-19
Food Bank receives grant to hire displaced workers to pack food boxes
Forest Service closes some facilities, services reduced
A look at three stories from the Associated Press:
Battling exhaustion and trolls, Fauci says he's OK
Coronavirus survivor; 'In my blood, there may be answers'
Local newspaper are facing their own coronavirus crisis
And one good thing: Feeding the front lines
Latest coverage from AP.
As of 2 p.m. Friday, April 3:
US DEATHS: 6,921
Mo. Deaths: 19
Mo. Cases: 2,113
Cases by area county:
Butler County: 2
Carter: 3
Stoddard: 7
Reynolds: 2
Ripley: 2
Wayne: 0
Perry: 21
Cape: 15
St. Francois: 9
Scott: 7
Dunklin: 7
Pemiscot: 3
Bollinger: 1
New Madrid: 1
From the AP: For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death. The vast majority of people recover.
Here are the symptoms of the virus compared with the common flu.
One of the best ways to prevent spread of the virus is washing your hands with soap and water. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends first washing with warm or cold water and then lathering soap for 20 seconds to get it on the backs of hands, between fingers and under fingernails before rinsing off.
You should wash your phone, too. Heres how.
The Missouri coronavirus information hotline is 877-435-8411.
Thursday, April 2
Wednesday, April 1
Tuesday, March 31
Monday, March 30
Sunday, March 29
Saturday, March 28
Friday, March 27
Thursday, March 26
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