City of Columbia Missouri Community Relations

P.O. BOX 6015 COLUMBIA, MO 65205

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 9, 2020

CONTACT: Steven Sapp
Director of Community Relations
City of Columbia
[email protected]

City of Columbia coronavirus (COVID-19) update - no new positive cases, guidelines for religious services, CoMoHelps update - Thursday, April 9 at 5 p.m.

(COLUMBIA, MO) -
Thursday, April 9 summary
The number of positive cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Boone County is currently 72 with 63 who have recovered at the time of publishing. There are no new cases from the previous update. Below is information about guidelines for religious services and an update about CoMoHelps.

Cases in Boone County
Total positive cases Active Recovered Deaths
72 8 63 1
*Numbers current as of April 9 at 5 p.m.

Ages:
15-24: 17 cases
25-44: 29 cases
45-64: 23 cases
65+: 3 cases

Transmission:
Travel-related: 27 cases
Contact to a confirmed case: 23 cases
Community transmission: 22 cases

Health message
In the Stay at Home Order issued by the City of Columbia and Boone County, religious services and other spiritual practices must comply with gathering size limits and social distancing requirements. The Order states gatherings of more than 10 people in a single space or room are prohibited. 

Officials know that it's tempting to want to bring guests to a place of worship, especially on Easter Sunday. However, officials advise against it at this time. The Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) strongly encourages churches and places of worship to conduct online services. This is the best way to keep everyone in the faith community safe, as well as those who they come in contact with.

PHHS has received questions about the possibility of religious organizations holding drive-in services. Below are their guidelines:
  • Service should be broadcast through the radio.
  • Everyone must stay in their vehicles. 
  • Vehicle windows must remain rolled up at all times.
  • Only one household per vehicle. 
The full Stay at Home Order can be found here: CoMo.gov/wp-content/Uploads/COVID-Health-Director-Order-Stay-at-Home-3.24.2020-City-of-Columbia.pdf.

CoMoHelps
The CoMoHelps collaborative is offering resources for those who need help during the coronavirus pandemic. They also have a space for those who are able to give back either financially or through giving their time. Financial contributions are being routed to the Heart of Missouri United Way and the Community Foundation of Central Missouri. The City's Office of Neighborhood Services is promoting nonprofit and governmental volunteer needs and providing the opportunity for community members to sign up as unaffiliated volunteers.

CoMoHelps also provides a simple and streamlined process for nonprofits to submit requests for funding to provide critical services in our community in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

CoMoHelps highlights so far:
  • The Heart of Missouri United Way and Community Foundation of Central Missouri have received $360,000 in donations and grants for COVID-19 response.
  • CoMoHelps has provided $372,338 in financial support for nonprofits responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • More than $766,400 received in financial assistance requests, and far more in requests for other resources.
  • The Veterans United Foundation has pledged $500,000 to support the pandemic response in our community.
More information about how to give and get help can be found at CoMoHelps.org.

Changes to City services
No additional changes at this time.


Official information from the City of Columbia and Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) can be found at CoMo.gov/Coronavirus. The City will also be utilizing City and PHHS official social media accounts to post updates. They can be found at @CoMoGov on Facebook and Twitter and @CoMoHealthDept on Facebook and @CoMo_HealthDept on Twitter.


City of Columbia Vision
Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.

City of Columbia Mission
To serve the public equitably through democratic, transparent and efficient government.

-30-