SATURDAY UPDATES: Mexico authorities say middle school students, staff possibly exposed to coronavirus
UPDATE 8:43 P.M.: The Mexico Department of Public Safety said Saturday some students and staff at Mexico Middle School were potentially exposed to novel coronavirus.
According to a Facebook post from the department of public safety, a person who tested positive for COVID-19 in Callaway County was at the school over March 19 and 20.
As of Saturday, the Audrain County Health Department has not confirmed any cases of novel coronavirus.
A Facebook post from the health department said at least eight have people have been tested. The same post said three of the tests were negative and five others were pending.
Mexico School District leaders announced on March 17 the school would be closed from March 20-April 13.
UPDATE 7:50 P.M.: The Camden County Health Department announced four new cases of COVID-19 Saturday.
As of Saturday, the county had a total of eight cases with one death.
The age range of patients who tested positive was between 32 and 77-years-old.
According to the department, two people who tested positive reported traveling out of Missouri. Another person reported traveling to a Missouri county with high case rates.
Two people are currently hospitalized.
The new patients have been told to self-isolate, and close contacts have been informed and told to do the same.
UPDATE 4:16 P.M.: The Chariton County Commission announced Saturday a stay-at-home order was signed to go into effect Monday to stop the spread of COVID-19.
As of Saturday, at least three county residents have tested positive for novel coronavirus.
According to commission documents, the order is scheduled to be in place until at least April 24.
The order is similar to rules in place in Boone, Randolph and Cole counties.
A Facebook post from the Chariton County Health Center said workers will contact people who had recent interactions with the three residents who have confirmed cases of COVID-19.
At least two more people have tested positive for novel coronavirus since Chariton County reported its first case on Thursday.
UPDATE 2:48 P.M.: The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services said there are 838 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state.
The state health department included at least 10 people have died related to novel coronavirus.
Since Friday, more than 160 state residents have tested positive for COVID-19. There are at least 87 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus in Mid-Missouri.
UPDATE 2:00 p.m.: The Callaway County Health Department said in a release there are three new positive COVID-19 cases as of Saturday, March 28.
At least 13 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the county. The Callaway County Health Department website shows eight cases are linked to William Woods University students.
The health department said at least three of the cases reported since Thursday are community-related. Another two are travel-related.
A spokesman for William Woods University said Friday at least 13 students have tested positive for COVID-19. The university said five of the students are not being monitored in Fulton.
Editor's note: This post was updated to show there were 13 cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Callaway County as of Saturday, March 28.
UPDATE 11:10 a.m.: MU Health Care said weather could impact drive-thru COVID-19 testing Saturday.
The organization first posted to Twitter earlier Saturday that they had to temporarily close the drive-thru tests.
The testing site was back open at 9:45 a.m., but officials said there may be "short closures throughout the day." You can find the latest updates on MU Health Care's Twitter account.
UPDATE 10:30 a.m.: Another case has been confirmed in Boone County.
The Columbia/Boone County Department of Health and Human Services reported a total of 43 cases in Boone County. This increased by one from Friday night.
According to the department, 22 of the cases are travel-related. Six of those who tested positive had contact with a confirmed case and another 13 are the result of community transmission. Two of the cases have unclear origins.
ORIGINAL 10 a.m.: The state laboratory is expediting testing for some Missourians.
According to a news release, tests for people working in health care and public safety who have had contact with suspected COVID-19 patients and experience symptoms will be sent to the state lab.
The lab can provide results within 24 hours, which the Department of Health and Senior Services says will get the essential workers who test negative back to work faster.
