TUESDAY UPDATES: State prisoner tests positive for COVID-19
COVID-19 case numbers might differ among state and local health authorities because of issues with reporting and address verification.
UPDATE 5:10 P.M.: A state prisoner has tested positive for COVID-19, the Missouri Department of Corrections said Tuesday.
The inmate is the first to test positive while behind bars in a state prison, the department said in a news release. An inmate in western Missouri had already tested positive but was getting medical care at the time of the positive result.
An inmate at Southeast Correctional Center in Charleston who has been in isolation since Wednesday tested positive, the Department of Corrections said. The prisoner was put in isolation when he started to show symptoms, according to the news release, and the housing wing where he had been held has been quarantined since Wednesday.
"Every resident of that wing, as well as the rest of the housing unit, is being individually screened for fever and other COVID-19 symptoms," the department said. "Any offenders exhibiting symptoms will be placed in isolation pending COVID-19 test results."
Three staff members also tested positive earlier this month, the department said. Those employees and people they came into close contact with are in quarantine at home, according to the release.
UPDATE 2:20 P.M.: A global company that supplies automotive parts will close down its Moberly location.
DURA Automotive Systems filed notice with the state Monday that 81 workers will lose their jobs when the Moberly facility fully closes. The company is in bankruptcy proceedings and was still operating in Moberly but said uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 means the funding to keep the plant going is likely not available.
The company is trying to find a buyer but that could be in jeopardy because of the economic uncertainty around COVID-19, the notice to the state says.
Layoffs could start as early as May 1.
DURA is the most recent company to announce layoffs in Mid-Missouri. Last month, Spartan in Mexico, Missouri said it would lay off more than 300 people. The owner of the Boonville hospital also said it was laying off workers because of the economic effects of COVID-19.
Isle of Capri also announced it is furloughing workers at its Boonville casino.
UPDATE 2:07 P.M.: The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services said Tuesday that it confirmed more new cases of COVID-19, as well as coronavirus-related deaths.
According to the health department's website, 5,941 people have tested positive for COVID-19 and 189 people have died from coronavirus. It's an increase of at least 134 cases and a dozen more deaths.
The health department said about half of the coronavirus-related deaths were reported in St. Louis County.
Missouri Attorney General files lawsuit against Chinese government
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt filed a lawsuit against the Chinese government on Monday alleging state residents were hurt or died because of officials' actions.
The suit filed in the Eastern District of Missouri also alleges Chinese government officials arrested whistleblowers and suppressed information regarding novel coronavirus.
“COVID-19 has done irreparable damage to countries across the globe, causing sickness, death, economic disruption, and human suffering. In Missouri, the impact of the virus is very real - thousands have been infected and many have died, families have been separated from dying loved ones, small businesses are shuttering their doors, and those living paycheck to paycheck are struggling to put food on their table."
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt
A news release from Schmitt's office said Chinese officials withheld information about the infectiousness of the virus and 'did little to stop the spread of novel coronavirus.'
Schmitt alleges China's actions directly impacted thousands of Missouri families through the spread of COVID-19. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services said as of Monday there were 5,807 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 177 have died related to coronavirus.
Schmitt also alleged the COVID-19 pandemic led to many Missourians losing jobs. He said coronavirus also impacted the state's budget.
The suit seeks punitive damages, civil penalties and restitution from China. Schmitt filed one count each of public nuisance, abnormally dangerous activities, as well as two counts of breach of duty against the country.
UPDATE 11:15 A.M.: Boone County reported another new case of COVID-19 on Tuesday morning.
The county's case number was at 90, according to the website that tracks cases. The number stood at 89 on Monday evening. Of confirmed cases, 80 patients have recovered.
The county has seen markedly slower growth in new cases over the past week. During that period the highest number of new daily cases reported was three.
The county's public health director told the Columbia City Council on Monday that she might let the local stay-at-home order expire May 3, coinciding with the expiration of the state's order.
One person in Boone County has died from the virus.
More than 5,800 cases have been reported statewide, including 177 deaths.
UPDATE 10:45 A.M.: Mid-Missouri officials said a new case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Osage County and Chariton County's stay-at-home order is set to expire on Friday.
The Osage County Emergency Management Agency posted on Facebook Monday morning that the county is up to five COVID-19 cases.
According to the post, there are two active cases and three others have recovered from coronavirus. Until Monday, the county hadn't reported a new COVID-19 case since April 6.
Chariton County leaders said Monday that its stay-home-order is set to expire at 8 a.m. on Friday, April 24.
Gov. Mike Parson's statewide order is scheduled to remain in effect through May 3.
The county's order went into effect on March 30. As of Monday, four people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the county amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The Chariton County Health Center hasn't reported any new cases since March 30.
ORIGINAL: Hundreds are expected at a rally against Gov. Mike Parson's stay-at-home order on Tuesday.
Reopen Missouri is holding the rally at noon Tuesday at the Missouri Capitol.
Organizers are calling on Gov. Parson to remove the statewide stay-at-home order which is currently in effect until May 3.
A spokesperson for the organization said rallygoers are expected to follow social distancing guidelines.
Capitol Police said the rally will be treated like any other rally at the Capitol. Gov. Parson and the Jefferson City Police Department said they will respect the rally as long as attendees follow the state's social distancing guidelines.
