26 more Missourians die from COVID-19, more than 7,300 cases confirmed in the state
The death toll from the coronavirus pandemic has reached 300 in Missouri with 26 new deaths reported Tuesday.
In addition, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has reported that 132 new COVID-19 cases have been identified in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number in the state to 7,303 as of Tuesday afternoon. A total of 314 people have died from the disease.
St. Louis County has had the most residents test positive for the virus, with at least 2,958 cases and 159 deaths as of Tuesday.
Other areas that have reported high numbers: the city of St. Louis with 1,054 cases and 55 deaths; St. Charles County with 555 cases and 28 deaths; Kansas City with 508 cases and 16 deaths; and Jackson County with 309 cases and nine deaths.
The majority of Missourians who have died from complications with COVID-19 are older adults, with those 80 years old or older accounting for 132 deaths. The state has provided a breakdown by age, which includes 81 deaths of people in their 70s; 63 in their 60s; 27 in their 50s, seven in their 40s, three in their 30s and one person in their 20s.
Gov. Mike Parson announced details earlier this week of the initial phase in his plan to reopen the state, which has been under a stay-at-home order since April 6. A previous order that banned gatherings of more than 10 people in Missouri will be allowed to expire May 4. Certain businesses that require close contact, such as barber and cosmetology shops, hair salons and tattoo parlors, will be exempt from social distancing requirements, and restaurants will be able to reopen dining rooms.
The plan, the governor’s office said, is based on the ability to increase testing in the state, expand reserves of personal protective equipment, monitor hospital capacity and predict potential outbreaks.
More than 73,000 people across Missouri, between state and private laboratories, have been tested for COVID-19 so far. The first positive case was announced in the state on March 7. Back then, Parson said 29 people had been tested through the state department of health.
Nationwide, more than 1 million people have tested positive for COVID-19 and more than 57,000 people have died, according to data provided by Johns Hopkins University.
