City of Columbia Missouri Community Relations

P.O. BOX 6015 COLUMBIA, MO 65205

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 22, 2020

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

City of Columbia coronavirus (COVID-19) update - new positive cases, keeping children healthy, Order No. 2020-06, changes to City services - Friday, May 22 at 5 p.m.

(COLUMBIA, MO) -  
Friday, May 22 summary
The number of positive cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Boone County is currently 111 with 98 who have been released from isolation at the time of publishing. There are three new cases from the previous update and the number released from isolation remains the same. Friday’s Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) Facebook Live video discussed kids and coronavirus. See the video on their Facebook page and view some of the information below. Below is information about the newly released Order No. 2020-06 as well as some changes to City services.

Cases in Boone County
Total positive cases Active Released from isolation Deaths
111 12 98 1
*Numbers current as of May 22 at 5 p.m.

Ages:
<15: 5 case
15-24: 33 cases (1 additional case from the previous update)
25-44: 41 cases (2 additional cases from the previous update)
45-64: 25 cases
65+: 7 cases

Transmission:
Travel-related: 30 cases
Contact to a confirmed case: 44 cases (1 additional case from the previous update)
Community transmission: 33 cases
Unknown: 4 cases (2 additional cases from the previous update)

Health message
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that based on available evidence, children do not appear to be at higher risk for COVID-19 than adults. While some children and infants have been sick with COVID-19, adults make up most of the known cases to date.

The CDC suggests the following to help keep children healthy:
  • Teach and reinforce everyday preventive actions, such as frequent hand washing.
  • Help your child stay active by playing indoors and outdoors.
  • Help your child stay socially connected by reaching out to friends and family via phone or video chats.

While everyone responds to stress differently, the CDC suggests some common changes to watch for:
  • Excessive worry or sadness.
  • Unhealthy eating habits.
  • Unhealthy sleeping habits.
  • Difficulty with attention and concentration.

To view more information about how to keep children healthy during COVID-19, please visit cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/children.html.

Changes to City services
Order 2020-06
Stephanie Browning, director of Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services issued Order No. 2020-06 at a community briefing on Friday, May 22. The video of the briefing can be found here: gocolumbiamo.granicus.com/player/clip/2037?view_id=13.

This order includes a framework for all establishments within Boone County to reopen with updated limitations on occupancy. This order will be effective at 12 a.m. Tuesday, May 26, 2020, and signals the next step in ongoing reopening and COVID-19 response efforts in Columbia and Boone County.

To see specific details about the new order, please see the press release and attached documents: CoMo.gov/CMS/pressreleases/view.php?id=6782.

Parks and Recreation
The new Order 2020-06 will impact some Columbia Parks and Recreation facilities and operations, effective Tuesday, May 26. Social distancing requirements will be in place for park and facility users. Patrons are encouraged to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer frequently.

At the Activity & Recreation Center (ARC), these amenities will be phased in:
  • Water fitness classes will resume Wednesday, May 27.
  • Group fitness classes will resume Wednesday, May 27.
  • Birthday party rentals are resuming with limited packages. Reservations will be accepted starting Tuesday, May 26 for parties starting Saturday, May 30. 

Other changes to Parks and Recreation operations include:
  • City playgrounds will open Tuesday, May 26.
  • City spraygrounds at Stephens Lake Park, Flat Branch Park and Douglass Park will open Tuesday, May 26. Stephens Lake Park beach will remain closed at this time.
  • Youth and adult baseball and softball will resume Tuesday, May 26. Youth leagues will begin Monday, June 8. Adult softball and kickball leagues will begin Sunday, June 7. Social distancing must be in place for players, coaches and spectators.
  • Group reservation capacities will be increased. For those interested in renting a park shelter or indoor recreation facility, they will be able to make reservations for groups up to 50 people, with social distancing required. 

Columbia Police Department
The Columbia Police Department lobby will return to normal operations starting Monday, May 25 at 6 a.m. The lobby will be closed from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. each night for security purposes as part of the normal operations.


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.

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