Branson area sees one-day spike in COVID cases. Health officials urge face masks
In the midst of another busy weekend of tourism in Taney County’s Branson community, the county health department confirmed another 11 cases of the coronavirus in a 24-hour period.
The Taney County Health Department said in a news release Saturday night that the county is now up to 54 cases. Two weeks ago, on June 12, the county had just 15.
“Many of these cases are community spread,” the health department said in the release. “And the TCHD is urging everyone to wear a face covering or mask, follow social distancing guidelines and stay home if you are sick.”
The numbers in Taney County don’t come close to urban areas, but Branson is a city of less than 12,000 residents, and the total doesn’t include visitors who test positive but are counted in their home counties.
Health officials have worried that once the state opened back up they would see more cases. But many in the Branson area are frustrated by the spike in just two weeks and by the number of residents and tourists who aren’t wearing masks.
Branson businesses have pushed the message that the town is open for tourism. Miniature golf courses, shops and restaurants have reopened. Many entertainers have returned to their stages and one of the town’s largest shows, the Dolly Parton Stampede, will reopen Wednesday.
On Friday evening, dozens gathered for an outdoor concert at the Branson Landing. That outdoor mall along Lake Taneycomo will also host an Independence Day celebration this week complete with a beer garden, musical acts and fireworks.
Of the 11 new cases, the investigation continues on two of them, the department said. Information on those will be released when it becomes available.
In the others, there are four locations with an exposure risk to the public. It isn’t known how many people visited these locations.
According to the county health department, an unmasked person who has tested positive for the virus attended Beginnings Fellowship in Hollister on June 21 and an unmasked person visited MoMo Sushi & Grill in Branson that same day around 3 p.m. And a person who tested positive for the virus went to Branson’s Target on June 24 wearing a mask.
Thursday afternoon, health officials announced cases 38 and 39. One of those people had been to seven locations from June 12-19 without wearing a mask. The second one had been to a local Walmart on June 13 without a mask.
Four hours later came news of the 40th case of COVID-19 in Taney County. Again, the person had not worn a mask while visiting two locations.
In mid June, after an increase in cases, Taney County Health Director Lisa Marshall urged everyone to wear masks. That plea appears to have had little effect on some.
On Thursday, the Taney County Health Department board of trustees passed a resolution asking residents and visitors to wear face masks or coverings in public places. But it is not a requirement.
In his June 19 newsletter, Branson Mayor Edd Akers cited the local “recent jump in cases” as reason to continue following health recommendations even without any government mandates.
“I want to thank everyone who is staying vigilant and following all health recommendations,’ the mayor wrote. “Our City has to do this so we can safely reopen while keeping everyone safe.”
He said a big spike in cases would be detrimental to the health and economy of locals. But Akers referenced big events like last week’s Missouri Amatuer Championship at Ozarks National Golf Club and American Junior Golf’s Bass Pro Shops/Payne Stewart Junior Championship planned for July at Buffalo Ridge Course.
“Both are great outdoor events that will bring new visitors to our area,” Akers said.
This story was originally published June 27, 2020 at 8:06 PM.
