City of Columbia coronavirus (COVID-19) update - new positive cases, suggestions for long-term care facilities, new graphs on CoMo.gov - Friday, April 10 at 5 p.m.

(COLUMBIA, MO) -  
Friday, April 10 summary
The number of positive cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Boone County is currently 75 with 63 who have recovered at the time of publishing. Friday’s Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) Facebook Live video discussed how members of the faith community can stay safe and celebrate in alternative ways during spring religious holidays. View the video on their Facebook page. Below is information about suggestions PHHS has given to long-term care facilities to maintain the health of their residents and employees. Also below is information about new graphs on CoMo.gov/Coronavirus. 

Cases in Boone County

Total positive cases	Active	Recovered	Deaths
75	11	63	1

*Numbers current as of April 10 at 5 p.m.

Ages:
15-24: 17 cases
25-44: 30 cases
45-64: 23 cases
65+: 5 cases

Transmission:
Travel-related: 27 cases
Contact to a confirmed case: 22 cases
Community transmission: 24 cases
Pending investigation: 2

Health message
A case of the coronavirus has been identified at a long-term care facility in Boone County. PHHS officials have been in contact with local long-term care facilities to discuss their current sanitation practices, how they are managing the social distancing of residents and if there are protocols for new residents coming into their facilities. Officials also requested contact information so that they can provide the facilities with up-to-date guidance as the situation progresses.

All long-term and assisted care facilities are advised to follow the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance to take proactive steps to protect the health of residents and preserve the health care workforce. CDC guidance includes the following:

• Identify and exclude potentially infected staff members.
• Implement active screening of residents and health care personnel for fever and respiratory symptoms. 
• Ensure early recognition of potentially infected patients and implement appropriate infection control measures. 
• Restrict visitation except in compassionate care situations such as end of life.
• Cancel all group activities and communal dining. 
• Restrict all volunteers and non-essential health care personnel, including non-essential health care personnel (e.g., barbers).

Families should consult with care facilities where their loved ones are living to ensure the staff is following CDC guidance. One important aspect is for families to find alternate ways to interact with their loved ones. Contact via phone and video chat, or letters and photos via email or mail may help improve the spirits and mental health of those who are in care facilities. Families with a loved one that has a window in their room could consider going to the window and talking with them over the phone.

Changes to City services
New graphs were added to the CoMo.gov/Coronavirus page to share additional information with residents. One chart shows Boone County COVID-19 cases by the date of the test and the other chart shows cases by mode of transmission (community spread, contact to a confirmed case, travel or pending). The charts also show the dates of significant events such as the gathering size limitations, drive-thru testing and the Stay at Home Order.

Officials advise that while the numbers fluctuate daily, it’s still important to adhere to the Stay at Home Order and maintain social distancing when leaving the house for essential errands.


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.