City of Columbia coronavirus (COVID-19) update - new positive cases, disinfecting homes and public spaces, most City facilities remain closed to public, ARC reopening, household hazardous waste canceled in May - Friday, May 1 at 5 p.m.

(COLUMBIA, MO) -  
Friday, May 1 summary
The number of positive cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Boone County is currently 96 with 90 who have been released from isolation at the time of publishing. Friday's Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services Facebook Live video answered questions from business owners and employees regarding how to open safely. View the video on their Facebook page. Below is information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding guidance for cleaning and disinfecting homes, businesses and public spaces. Also below is information about most City facilities remaining closed to the public, the Activity & Recreation Center reopening and household hazardous waste collection dates in May being canceled. 

Cases in Boone County

Total positive cases	Active	Released from isolation	Deaths
96	5	90	1

*Numbers current as of May 1 at 5 p.m.

Ages:
<15: 2 case
15-24: 27 cases
25-44: 36 cases
45-64: 25 cases
65+: 6 cases

Transmission:
Travel-related: 28 cases
Contact to a confirmed case: 38 cases
Community transmission: 29 cases
Unknown: 1 case

Health message
The CDC provides guidance for cleaning homes, public spaces, businesses, workplaces and more. Officials recommend that everyone develop a plan for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, which includes assessing types of surfaces and materials and identifying frequently touched surfaces.

For specific information about what should be included in a plan, please visit cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/reopen-guidance.html.


Changes to City services
City facilities
Many City facilities will remain closed to the public for the time being. For information about how to conduct business with the City, please visit CoMo.gov/Coronavirus/Changes-to-City-Services.

Parks and Recreation
The Activity & Recreation Center (ARC) will resume normal operating hours and will open in phases, starting May 4 at 5:30 a.m. with these amenities available and social distancing guidelines in place:

• Walking track
• Spinning room
• Cardio zone
• Strength zone
• Youth training room
• Ping pong room 

Strict social distancing and capacity limitations will be enforced, as outlined in Order 2020-05. Daily pass visitors to the ARC will be required to provide their name and contact information as they enter the facility, per Order 2020-05. This information will be saved to daily visit logs. 

ARC visitors will be encouraged to come to the facility, exercise and then exit the facility. Groups will not be allowed to congregate in common areas so that staff can ensure social distancing is being followed and that capacity limits are being met while allowing others the opportunity to use the facility.

ARC staff members plan to phase in additional amenities as they determine how occupancy and social distancing requirements affect operations. These could include pickleball and personal training. 

ARC staff will not be able to open basketball courts, the concession area, water zone or kid zone at this time. Staff also will not be able to hold group activities such as land or water fitness classes, swimming lessons, little swimmers/gymmers or birthday party rentals. It would be extremely difficult to enforce social distancing by allowing these activities.

For questions related to the ARC, please call 573.874.7700.

Other Parks and Recreation operations that will be affected, starting May 4:

• Outdoor tennis and pickleball courts will reopen for play, as social distancing is easier to accomplish with these individual sports.
• Trails and parks remain open, with social distancing requirements in place for users.
• Playgrounds, spraygrounds, Stephens Lake Park beach, athletic fields and basketball courts will remain closed as it is difficult to maintain social distancing requirements at these facilities.

For more information about Parks and Recreation facilities, please call 573.874.7460.

Solid Waste
The Columbia Solid Waste's household hazardous waste collection program has been canceled for the month of May due to the coronavirus (COVID-19). Please do not place hazardous waste items at the curb for residential refuse collection. For more information about the storage and disposal of cleaning products and other hazardous waste items, please visit dnr.mo.gov/env/hwp/hiddenhazards.htm.


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.