Coronavirus cases in Missouri surpass 100 Sunday, up from 73 Friday; 13 now in KC
More than 100 people in Missouri have now tested positive for the novel coronavirus, state health officials reported Sunday.
As of Sunday night, 106 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the state, an increase from 90 on Saturday and 73 on Friday, according to the state health department.
The count included 23 cases in St. Louis County, 14 in Greene County, 13 in Kansas City, 10 in the city of St. Louis, 10 in Boone County and six in Jackson County. Three people have died in the state, one each in Boone, Jackson and St. Louis counties.
Additional cases were identified over the weekend in Clinton County and Johnson County, where a non-military member at Whiteman Air Force Base, about 70 miles southeast of Kansas City, tested positive for the virus.
“This first confirmed case is a stark reminder that we must take this seriously,” said Col. Jeffrey Schreiner, the 509th Bomb Wing commander.
Patients in Missouri have ranged in age. Of them, 26 were between the ages of 20 and 29 while 18 were 70 or older.
“It’s important for EVERYONE to obey the new order and begin social distancing — regardless of age,” Gov. Mike Parson said in a statement on Twitter.
At least 32 cases have been identified as travel-related while 15 have involved people who had contact with someone with COVID-19. Officials listed nine as “no contact” cases, and 50 as “unknown.”
Five cases were tied to Temple Israel’s preschool in the St. Louis region. The synagogue said late Saturday that four teachers have now tested positive for COVID-19. A parent of a child at the preschool has also tested positive.
All five were either recovering at home or are no longer symptomatic, the synagogue said.
Public health officials said there was “clear evidence” of community transmission in St. Louis County.
Among the Missouri patients was Rep. Joe Runions, a Democrat from Grandview who remained hospitalized Sunday after he tested positive for COVID-19. He said he was getting better but that recovery would be long.
The state representative, who no longer required a ventilator, said he shared his experiences as a patient in Kansas City with Parson and urged him to “do all in his power” to get healthcare workers necessary supplies.
“My doctors are deeply concerned that they could run out of vital supplies, especially the equipment they need to keep themselves safe while caring for patients,” Runions said in a statement.
In Kansas, there had been two deaths and 64 confirmed cases as of Sunday afternoon — 28 in Johnson County and 14 in Wyandotte County. It was an increase from 55 cases on Saturday.
With the increase in positive tests across Missouri and Kansas, officials in Kansas City and Wyandotte, Johnson and Jackson counties ordered residents to stay home starting 12:01 a.m. Tuesday to limit the virus’ spread.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
This story was originally published March 22, 2020 at 9:07 PM.
