Johnson County health officials report COVID-19 case from Lake of the Ozarks parties
Johnson County health officials have identified a resident who tested positive for COVID-19 after spending Memorial Day weekend at the Lake of the Ozarks, the county’s epidemiologist said Thursday.
Elizabeth Holzschuh, with the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment, announced the case to the county board of commissioners at their weekly meeting. She said the person visited the same bar as a resident of Boone County, Missouri, who also tested positive for coronavirus.
“We all need to continue to be aware that COVID-19 is in our community and we need to be doing the proper precautionary measures — wearing masks and staying as physically distanced as much as possible,” Holzschuh said.
Hundreds of people flocked to the central Missouri tourist destination over Memorial Day weekend as businesses began to reopen for the first time amid the coronavirus pandemic. Videos and photos of the crowded pools and bars, packed with party-goers ignoring social distancing guidelines, sparked criticism and outrage nationwide.
Health officials in Kansas, St. Louis and Kansas City then urged everyone who visited the Ozarks to self-quarantine for 14 days.
On May 29, the Camden County, Missouri, Health Department announced a Boone County resident tested positive for COVID-19 after visiting the Ozarks on May 23 and 24. The person attended the “Zero Ducks Given” pool party at Backwater Jacks, one of the bars featured in the videos, according to the health department.
Health officials asked people who were at the same locations to monitor for symptoms of coronavirus and to stay home and contact their physician if they become sick.
On Thursday, officials did not provide many details about the Johnson County case. Holzschuh did not name the specific bar the individual visited. She also did not say when the resident was tested for COVID-19.
The Camden County Health Department, though, provided a list of all of the places the Boone County resident visited.
Boone County patient’s activities
Saturday May 23:
▪ Backwater Jacks: 1 to 5 p.m.
▪ Shady Gators and Lazy Gators Pool: 5:40 p.m. to 9 p.m.
▪ Backwater Jacks: 9:40 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday May 24:
▪ Buffalo Wild Wings: 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
▪ Shady Gators: around 2:30 p.m. until around 6:30 or 7 p.m.
▪ Taxi from Shady Gators to private residence around 7 p.m.
This story was originally published June 11, 2020 at 1:19 PM.
