Missouri governor says record COVID-19 increases no cause for alarm
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson said Tuesday that record increases in new statewide COVID-19 cases are because of increased testing and outbreaks in specific areas.
"The more testing we do, the more positive cases there will be," Parson said during his regular COVID-19 briefing in the Capitol. "This is not a surge or a second wave going on in Missouri. These are outbreaks in specific areas and we are aggressively testing in these areas to box in the virus and prevent further spreading."
Parson opened his briefing with the remarks after Missouri hit another record on Tuesday with 434 cases. It was the third record daily increase in four days.
Dr. Randall Williams, head of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, emphasized the new cases were primarily from an outbreak in southwest Missouri.
Cases increased by record numbers both Saturday and Sunday. Williams said about three-quarters of the new cases came from four southwest Missouri counties.
Watch a replay of the briefing in the player below.
Williams said hospitalizations for COVID-19 are at an all-time low and the rate of infection in those tested -- 5.6 percent -- remains low. He said the average age of cases is dropping in Missouri, indicating more younger people are testing positive.
Many of those new cases are also asymptomatic, Williams said. Better messaging might be warranted for the younger population to emphasize hygiene and social distancing, he said.
The increase in younger people might be attributable to lifestyle, Williams said.
"I think they're more apt to get out, they're more apt to congregate," Williams said.
Parson also emphasized that the new cases aren't turning into a drag on hospital resources.
"We are not overwhelmed," Parson said. "We are not currently experiencing a second wave. And we have no intentions of closing Missouri back down at this point in time."
Despite his optimism, Parson said social distancing is still important to further slow the virus, calling it "critically important."
Parson reiterated a statement he has made during several of the briefings -- that the state must find a balance between increasing economic activity and public health.
Revenue department expands options
Missouri Department of Revenue Director Ken Zellers said the state is opening up new options to help accommodate increased demand at local license offices.
Missouri gave 60-day extensions for drivers' license and license plate renewals at the height of the pandemic. For many drivers that grace period has passed or will pass soon.
This combined with social distancing has led to longer lines at license offices, Zellers said.
The department is working to accommodate increased traffic online. Zellers said online registration renewals have gone up 300 percent during the pandemic.
The state is also working to open up temporary offices and is creating a renew-by-phone system, Zellers said.
