Nearly all Missouri counties currently in COVID-19 ‘red zone’
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
According to the latest White House 'red zone' report, obtained by ABC News, 95 counties in Missouri are currently in the "red zone," including Boone, Cole and Callaway counties.
The report said 91% of all counties in Missouri had moderate or high levels of COVID-19 transmission, with 83% in the "red zone" for the week ending on Friday.
Missouri reported 388 new cases per 100,000 residents over, just higher than the national average of 385 per 100,000 residents.
No Missouri counties were included in the "yellow zone" in either of the previous two reports. As of last week's report, all Missouri counties, with the exception of Chariton, had widespread COVID-19.
The report says three counties are in the orange zone:
- St. Francois
- Osage
- Montgomery
Seven counties are in the yellow zone:
- Polk
- Gasconade
- Lewis
- Shelby
- Dade
- Hickory
- Worth
Missouri is also in the red zone for positivity rate, with the ninth highest rate in the county. White House officials said in the report a decrease in testing and a decrease in positive tests attributed to the improved report.
The report recommends Missouri enact uniform coronavirus mitigation efforts, including policies for masking, social distancing, hand hygiene, limits on indoor gatherings and increased testing.
Missouri's Republican Gov. Mike Parson has asked state residents to follow health guidelines during recent state briefings. Parson and the state health director have pushed back against implementing a statewide mask mandate.
