No ‘spikes’ in coronavirus cases after Columbia mask ordinance was lifted three weeks ago
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Wednesday marks three weeks since the mask ordinance in Columbia has been lifted and case rates have stayed relatively steady.
When the order was lifted on May 12, Boone County's 5-day average daily case total was at 6.8. After May 14, the county experienced a slight drop in cases before another increase to 6.4 one week after the order was lifted on May 20.
Since that week, cases have continued to decline. Two weeks after the order expired on May 28, the rate dropped to 4.8 and three weeks after on June 2 the number is even lower at 3.2.
As of June 2, Boone County recorded 6 new positive COVID-19 cases. There have been 18,548 total cases in the county, with 38 active cases. There are currently 33 COVID-19 patients in local hospitals, only four of which are Boone County residents.
Average daily cases have varied but nothing concerning. On May 12, there were 8 new daily cases. On the week after on May 20, the new cases doubled to 16. In the past two weeks on May 28 and June 2, just 4 new daily cases were recorded.
Scott Clardy, with the Columbia/Boone County Health Department, said they have not seen any concerning "spikes" in positivity rates since the mask mandate was lifted, but have seen a slight increase in other aspects.
Hospitalizations for example have seen a slight rise. Boone County currently has 33 COVID-19 patients, only four of which are Boone County residents.
Clardy said it is still encouraging that most of the hospitalizations are from outside the county. He said if numbers do change as they update data daily, they will make the public aware of any concerns.
