WEDNESDAY UPDATES: Columbia College student 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 5:40 P.M.: A Columbia College student has tested positive for COVID-19.
The college said an extended-stay residential student on the Columbia campus was confirmed as having COVID-19 but did not say when the positive result was confirmed.
Most students had left campus before the person with COVID-19 became ill, the college campus safety director said in an email to campus.
Actions are being taken to protect the student and the few remaining people on campus, the email said.
UPDATE 2:30 P.M.: The University of Missouri is planning to have in-person classes on its Columbia campus in the fall.
"We have teams working on the planning required to bring our beautiful campus to life once it is possible," UM System president and MU interim chancellor Mun Choi wrote in a message to campus. "While remote classes will continue through the summer, we expect to return to in-person operations and classes this fall. In consultation with public health officials and Mizzou’s own health care experts, we are developing plans for our return to campus within a 'new normal' that we expect will be necessary."
The university stopped in-person classes in early March as the COVID-19 outbreak grew.
Choi wrote that workers are disinfecting the campus while using social distancing rules. Faculty and staff will return to campus in phases, he wrote.
"We are also developing new social distancing procedures that could impact how we teach our classes, run our meetings or conduct our research," Choi wrote. "With caution and creativity, the traditions and rich experiences at Mizzou will resume."
The university will remain flexible and adjust as the COVID-19 situation changes, Choi wrote.
UPDATE 2 P.M.: Nearly 200 more people tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 24 hours in Missouri.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services reported 6,137 cases of novel coronavirus infection Wednesday, up from 5,941 on Tuesday. The state reported 208 deaths, an increase of 19 over Tuesday. The 19-death increase ties the state's highest daily gain in deaths.
Nearly all of the deaths have been in patients 50 and older.
St. Louis County continued to lead the state with 2,436 cases. The state reported 97 cases in Boone County but local authorities were only reporting 90.
The increase in statewide cases was the highest this week. Up to this point, case gains had been 150 or less each day of the week.
Boone County has kept growth relatively flat, only adding about one to three cases each day recently. The county has only seen one new case per day in the past week.
Numbers have also stayed steady in Cole and Callaway counties.
The state reported 55 cases in Saline County, one of the highest per capita rates in the state.
Moniteau County has also emerged as a hot spot, with health officials there reporting 33 cases and another 26 probable cases.
UPDATE 11:22 A.M.: Missouri National Guard and the Missouri Department Elementary and Secondary Education announced on Wednesday the groups are working together to hand out meals to public school students around the state.
A news release said about 200 national guard troops will deliver and drop off food to students over the next several weeks.
Marshall Public Schools and Osage County R-II are the two Mid-Missouri school district included in the program.
“Assisting DESE with meal distribution to ensure Missouri children receive the nutritional meals they need is another great example of the enduring partnerships and strong teams we’re building during these challenging times."
Col. Denise Wilkinson, Commander of 70th Troop Command
Burgers' Smokehouse suspends production after more employees test positive for COVID-19
Burgers' Smokehouse in California announced on Wednesday that it suspended operations until next week after more employees tested positive for COVID-19.
Company officials say the decision was made based on information from the Moniteau County Health Center.
According to a release from the company, at least 21 employees have tested positive for novel coronavirus. It included about 300 people are employed at the facility.
Burgers' plans to reopen on April 30. The company ceased normal production for two days last week after six employees had tested positive for COVID-19.
"We will maintain rigorous mitigation efforts, including enhanced wellness checks, required mask use and strictly enforced distancing measures, to maintain a safe work environment upon return to full production next Thursday."
Burger's Smokehouse
The release said all employees will be paid while normal operations are suspended.
The Moniteau County Health Center said Tuesday night that there are 33 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the county.
A Facebook post from the health center said there are 26 more probable cases of novel coronavirus. Health officials say those with probable cases are still awaiting test results, but it's highly likely they will test positive.
The health center confirmed 11 new cases of COVID-19 since Tuesday.
ORIGINAL: The Saline County Health Department said Tuesday night that at least 96 county residents have tested positive for COVID-19.
According to a Facebook post from the county, 19 patients have recovered. It included three others have been hospitalized for COVID-19.
The health department has confirmed 14 more cases of COVID-19 since Monday.
As of Wedneday, Saline County surpassed the number of positive cases reported in any other Mid-Missouri county. Boone County health officials say 90 people have tested positive for COVID-19.
Since last week, countywide coronavirus cases have nearly doubled. The county said no residents have died from coronavirus, as of Wednesday.
