MONDAY UPDATES: Boone County reports one new COVID-19 case as growth rate slows
COVID-19 case numbers might differ among state and local health authorities because of issues with reporting and address verification.
UPDATE 4 P.M.: Columbia and Boone County health officials reported one new case on COVID-19 on Monday.
The county's total stood at 89 on Monday afternoon, up from 88 the day before. Officials say 79 of the Boone County residents diagnosed with COVID-19 have recovered. The county has experienced one death from the disease.
The number of new daily cases of COVID-19 has dropped since early on in the outbreak, with anywhere from one to three new daily cases reported each day for the past week.
UPDATE 3:43 P.M.: A Columbia senior living home said Monday that no other residents nor workers have tested positive for COVID-19.
City officials said on April 9 that a resident at Cedarhurst of Columbia tested positive for COVID-19.
A spokesperson for the assisted living home said the case is an isolated issue.
As of Monday, it's unclear how the resident contracted the virus.
Cedarhurst said the COVID-19 positive resident was placed on isolation. The business included all others at the facility were quarantined.
Missouri COVID-19 cases near 6,000 after increase
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services said Monday statewide COVID-19 cases increased to 5,807.
State health officials say it's an increase of 140 more positive novel coronavirus cases since Sunday.
The numbers released on Monday show at least one more person has died from coronavirus in the state since Sunday. The total is at 177.
State health officials say the highest concentration of cases was reported across the St. Louis area with about 3,000 cases reported. About 700 COVID-19 cases were reported across the Kansas City area.
Gov. Mike Parson is expected to hold a daily COVID-19 briefing at 3 p.m.
UPDATE 1:50 P.M.: The University of Missouri said Monday school leaders are making decision on how to overcome a $17 million budget shortfall.
The announcment from MU spokesman Christian Basi said school leaders are looking at short-term and long-term solutions on how to fill the budget gap.
According to the release, the leaders are making decisions with the anticipation the budget will a face 12.5% cut next year.
University officials said additional spending, new hires and raises have all been restricted amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
UPDATE 12:05 P.M.: The company that owns a hospital in Boonville has notified the state of mass layoffs related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The state posted the notice filed by the bankruptcy trustee for Pinnacle Healthcare Systems, Inc., on Friday. The Overland Park, Kansas-based company owns Pinnacle Regional Hospital in Boonville and Blue Valley Surgical Associates in Columbia.
The layoffs began April 10. The trustee says about 125 employees will be laid off, including seven at Boonville.
Pinnacle filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in February but pledged to keep the Boonville hospital open during the proceedings. The trustee cited lost business because of the disruption from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Health care providers across the state have canceled elective procedures to slow down the spread of the novel coronavirus. Those procedures are often major revenue drivers for those companies.
UPDATE 10:35 A.M.: Multiple Columbia restaurants and food trucks will offer free take-home meals Monday in an event called Scrappy Meals.
The event will run from 2 to 4 p.m. in the parking lot outside Cafe Berlin, 220 N. 10th St. Pasta La Fata, Ozark Mountain Biscuit Co., Pizza Tree, Café Berlin, Beet Box, Fiddle and Stone Bread Co. and Scott’s Baked Goods will offers meals sized for individuals or families, according to a news release.
The organizers said the event is taking place to help local people struggling economically during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to thousands of layoffs statewide.
Missouri is under a stay-at-home order through May 3. Boone County remains under an order set to expire this week that will likely be extended.
Social distancing rules will apply. The eateries say they will make 150 meals that will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
The meals are free but donations are being accepted.
ORIGINAL: Counties around Mid-Missouri reported new cases of COVID-19 over the weekend.
The Moniteau County Health Center said Sunday night there are 22 confirmed novel coronavirus cases in the county. Health officials said there are 17 more probable cases. It's up from 16 confirmed and 16 probable cases reported on Friday.
The health center included it's highly likely those with probable cases will test positive for COVID-19, but test results are pending.
New cases of COVID-19 were also reported in Camden County. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services said the county is up to 32 cases.
The Saline County Health Department confirmed 67 cases of novel coronavirus in the county.
A Facebook post from the health department said eight people have recovered and one is hospitalized.
Saline County health officials have confirmed at least 14 new cases since Friday.
As of Monday morning, more than 350 people in Mid-Missouri have tested positive for COVID-19. The Cole County, Boone County and Callaway County health departments also confirmed new positive coronavirus cases over the weekend.
