MONDAY UPDATES: Centralia school leaders plan to hold graduation in June
COVID-19 case numbers might differ among state and local health authorities because of issues with reporting and address verification.
UPDATE: 9:40 P.M.: The Centralia Board of Education approved a new date for graduation at its meeting Monday night.
Graduation is now set for June 13 at 8 p.m. The board also approved June 14 as a backup date in case of inclement weather, according to a news release.
Senior Scholarship and Awards Night is scheduled for June 12 at 6 p.m.
Officials said July dates have also been set aside in case COVID-19 restrictions force them to postpone the events again.
According to the release, the high school will not be hosting a school-sponsored prom.
UPDATE 5:15 P.M.: Boone and Cole counties reported no new COVID-19 cases on Monday.
Boone's cases stood at 100 and Cole's at 54. Boone County reported five active cases, while Cole County reported three. Each county has continued to see slow growth in COVID-19 cases over the past few weeks, though the pace has picked up in the past week.
Boone County has reported three new cases since Friday while Cole County has recorded four new cases in the past week.
The number of COVID-19 cases statewide increased by 74 on Monday, marking the smallest daily increase since March.
UPDATE 4:15 P.M.: The Callaway County Health Department reported no new COVID-19 cases Monday.
The county has seen slow growth in its COVID-19 case total over many weeks -- Callaway County has only reported three new cases since April 11. The health department said Monday that only two of the county's cases are active.
The county health department in its daily update warned people with compromised immune systems to continue to take precautions against COVID-19 infection after the lifting of stay-at-home orders last week. The statement told people who do not feel comfortable going into public to avoid doing so.
UPDATE 2:05 P.M.: Missouri recorded its smallest COVID-19 case increase in more than a month on Monday.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services said cases rose by 74 and virus-related deaths increased by six. As of Monday, 9,918 residents have tested positive for COVID-19, up from 9,844 on Sunday, 488 others have died from coronavirus.
The highest concentration of cases was reported across St. Louis County and St. Louis with 3,828 and 1,473 cases reported respectively. The state health department said 354 people have died from COVID-19 across the city and county.
UPDATE 1:12 P.M.: A spokesperson with Columbia Post Acute said a worker tested positive for COVID-19 last week.
The nursing facility said the employee tested positive on Thursday and hadn't been inside the facility since May 4.
According to a statement from Columbia Post Acute, no other employees or residents have tested for novel coronavirus. The spokesperson said workers and residents will be monitored for COVID-19 symptoms.
The senior facility restricted all access to visitors and vendors on March 16. According to the nursing provider's website, it is following COVID-19 guidelines from the CDC and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
An employee at The Neighborhoods by TigerPlace tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday. In April, a resident at Cedarhurst of Columbia tested positive for the virus, the resident has since recovered.
UPDATE 11:30 A.M.: Audrain County is reporting its second case of COVID-19.
The county health department said in a news release Saturday that the case is the only one currently active in the county. Both of the county's COVID-19 cases so far are from community transmission, according to the health department.
The county reported its first case of COVID-19 on April 19. At the time it was one of few Mid-Missouri counties without a reported case. Now Monroe is the only county in the region that has not reported a case.
State health authorities have reported 9,844 cases statewide.
A person who was in Mexico School District buildings tested positive for COVID-19 in March in Callaway County.
ORIGINAL: Missouri State Parks said four state parks are back open with coronavirus-related rules in place.
An email from the state parks department on Monday said Elephant Rocks State Park, Weston Bend State Park, Watkins Woolen Mill State Park and Castlewood State Park have reopened to the public.
Department officials said the parks will be open during the day and that park capacity will be monitored closely.
The announcement said state parks are following guidance from the governor's office and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services:
- Keep a minimum distance of six feet between you and others.
- Avoid crowded areas and groups of people.
- Stay close-to-home and travel with only those from your household.
- Wash your hands often.
- Come prepared and carry hand sanitizer, soap, wipes and water.
- Share the trail and warn other trail users of your presence as you pass.
- Avoid touching your face, handshakes and hugs.
- Cover your mouth and nose with your elbow when you cough or sneeze.
- Stay home if you are sick.
According to the state parks website, the off-road vehicle riding area at St. Joe State Park will be closed for another week.
The Department of Natural Resources closed the parks in March to slow the spread of COVID-19.
