Parson: Decision to close schools amid COVID-19 pandemic best left to locals

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Gov. Mike Parson said Tuesday in Columbia that the decision on whether to close schools was best left to local leaders.

Parson held a news conference at Columbia City Hall after meeting with local leaders including Mayor Brian Treece. Parson held similar briefings with city leaders in Kansas City and St. Joseph on Monday.

Parson talked about the wave of school closings throughout the state and his decision to leave closings to local district officials.

“A lot of schools … have no place for kids to go unless they go back home, parents are working,” Parson said. With different circumstances in each of the state's 540-plus districts, Parson said he felt local leaders were better equipped to make those decisions.

Several school districts in Mid-Missouri, including Columbia and Jefferson City, have called off classes for weeks to try to slow the spread of novel coronavirus.

Dr. Randall Williams, head of the state Department of Health and Senior Services, said the state will see a major jump in its ability to test for COVID-19 within the next two weeks.

University of Missouri Hospital will begin testing possible COVID-19 samples Wednesday as a state-sanctioned lab, Williams said.

The increased testing capacity will allow health authorities to set up drive-up testing sites. Williams said beginning April 1 anyone with a dry cough and fever -- two major symptoms of COVID-19 -- can be tested at mobile sites located away from hospitals.

"Starting in April 1, we want to set up mobile sites, both public and private, as you've seen in St. Louis and Springfield, away from hospitals, get everybody tested, isolate those people and then through social distancing, do what other successful countries have done," Williams said.

Officials will then ask people who test positive to isolate themselves, Williams said.

As of Tuesday afternoon, state health officials say there are eight confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Missouri. State leaders say there are three cases in St. Louis and Greene counties, in addition to one case each in St. Louis City and Henry County.

Our sister station in Kansas City reported a presumptive positive case of COVID-19 was confirmed by Jackson County health officials. Cass County health officials say they have also confirmed a case of novel coronavirus.

Parson said more than 200 novel coronavirus tests have come back negative.