WEDNESDAY UPDATES: Columbia nursing home says worker tests positive for virus
COVID-19 case numbers might differ among state and local health authorities because of issues with reporting and address verification.
UPDATE, 11:07 P.M.: A Columbia nursing home said one of its employees tested positive for COVID-19.
The Bluffs executive director Donna Bowers said the employee has not worked at the facility in south Columbia since May 22. Bowers said the employee reported not feeling well when she arrived for her work shift on May 26. The employee had not made contact with any residents, and stayed in the service hall of the building for four minutes, Bowers said.
The facility is preparing to test all workers and residents for COVID-19, Bowers said.
The Bluffs is operated by Boone County Senior Citizen Services Corporation and has 132 licensed beds, according to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
UPDATE 5:10 P.M.: No new COVID-19 cases were reported Wednesday in Callaway and Cole counties.
However, Cole County health officials counted fewer active cases, dropping from three to two. In Callaway County, 26 people have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and five of those cases remained active Wednesday.
It was a reprieve from recent increases in cases in those counties. Cole County has seen three new cases in the past week after not reporting a new one since May 9. Callaway County has added three cases since Friday after no new cases since May 1.
Increasing have hit neighboring counties, as well.
Boone County has seen a surge in cases, reporting 30 new cases over the last 11 days.
Cases have grown rapidly in Audrain County. As of Tuesday, the county had 56 active cases. Wednesday numbers in Audrain had not been posted at the time of this update.
The state's COVID-19 information dashboard online says the Audrain County case rate is seeing some of the fastest growth in the state -- 128 percent over the last seven days.
UPDATE 2:25 P.M.: New COVID-19 cases in Missouri topped 200 on Wednesday after dipping below 150 on Tuesday.
The state Department of Health and Senior Services reported 201 new cases Wednesday, bringing the state's total to 12,492. Deaths increased by 10 to 696.
Thursday was the third day in the past week with an increase of more than 200 cases.
Boone County health officials also reported more cases Wednesday. Cases were up seven to 130, the Columbia/Boone County Health Department reported. The county reported 24 active cases, which was three more than on Tuesday.
Boone County's cases have increased by 30 in the last 11 days. County health officials cautioned on Tuesday that significant increases in cases could cause them to reconsider more regulations to stop the spread of COVID-19.
The county relaxed restrictions on Tuesday, with occupancy restrictions rising to 50 percent and gatherings of up to 50 people allowed.
St. Louis County continues to lead the state in total cases and deaths.
The Missouri Hospital Association said Wednesday that 618 people were being treated for COVID-19 in Missouri hospitals, an increase of 118 from the day before.
UPDATE 1:45 P.M.: Schnucks said Wednesday that a worker at its Columbia store has tested positive for COVID-19.
The store said in a statement that the worker had not been to work since May 16 and was not experiencing symptoms at that time. The worker is quarantining at home, the company said.
The store on Forum Boulevard remains open and the company said a third-party cleaning crew sanitized areas where the employee worked and and common areas.
"No one else is being advised to quarantine at this time, and the Health Department has not advised us that any specific actions should be taken by customers or anyone else," Schnucks said.
Managers spoke with store employees and alerted customers signed up for its rewards program.
UPDATE 11 A.M.: The Moberly School District will reopen some of its athletic facilities for public use next month.
The district said Wednesday that Spartan Stadium and Bradley Field, the softball fields, tennis courts and the old soccer field will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. starting Monday for "limited use."
No lights will be available and facilities can't be reserved, the district said. Restrooms, bleachers, dugouts and water fountains will be off limits.
Lincoln University faculty say plan would avoid layoffs
The union representing faculty at Lincoln University is endorsing a budget plan that it says would eliminate the need for layoffs as COVID-19 hits the school's finances.
The Lincoln University Missouri National Education Association said Wednesday that the union outlined in meetings with Lincoln leaders how a hiring freeze and retirement incentives could be used to avoid layoffs. The plan would reduce faculty compensation costs by 20 percent, the union says.
The union says it told Lincoln leaders that layoffs would make it impossible for some students to meet graduation requirements and would eliminate some profitable course sections.
The union said its proposal combined with a $16 million reserve fund at Lincoln and federal aid should be enough to avoid layoffs.
"Lincoln is responsible for educating the essential leaders who will help our state weather the current crisis and emerge stronger in all areas, including healthcare, education, business, science, and agriculture," union vice president Michael Scott said in a statement. "LUMNEA educators are hopeful that as COVID-19 impacts our state, Lincoln University will act as a solid foundation for the recovery ahead."
ORIGINAL: A mobile COVID-19 testing site will be available in Columbia Wednesday afternoon.
It is the fifth time the collaborative site will be available in Boone County.
Testing will be available from noon until 4 p.m. at 916 Bernadette Dr. Anyone showing any symptoms can get tested without a doctor's note.
City and county leaders said the mobile testing is part of a push to increase testing and move toward recovery.
