By Thursday, Dixon was put on a ventilator because her oxygen levels had dropped, and by Friday her test results came back positive for COVID-19, Johnson said. She died two days later.

Johnson said the family knew of no underlying health issues affecting his cousin.

The city's health director said on Monday that Dixon had not traveled recently.

Her employer, the Red Cross, noted Tuesday that Dixon did not come into contact with donors of the public in her body. The organization is having a deep cleaning of the building on Lindell Avenue where she worked to prevent any further spread of the virus.

The number of positive tests for the coronavirus has steadily risen in the state with at least 255 as of Tuesday. Dixon and at least four other people in Missouri have died.

Dixon graduated from Harris-Stowe State University, obtained her master's degree from Lindenwood University, and worked in the business field, her cousin said.

Johnson described his cousin as fun, loyal to her family and "the life of the party." She also helped take care of her mother, he said.

Johnson, who is the pastor of Purposed Church in Mascoutah, said the family is still figuring out funeral arrangements.