Status update of COVID-19 in Boone County as of June 7, 2020

Boone County has recorded 40 new confirmed cases between June 1 and June 7. The case breakdown is as follows: 

• 30 of the cases are due to contact with a known case. The cases that are due to contact with a known case include exposure to a case living in the same household.
• Eight are due to community transmission (not due to contact with a known case or travel). 
• Two are still under investigation.  

Seventy-three percent of the cases due to contact were with a known Boone County case. This is a trend we have been seeing over the last couple of weeks. While this is less worrisome than community transmission, it is still cause for concern. This data may suggest that residents are feeling more comfortable gathering with family and friends without using proper social distancing and other risk mitigation efforts. We urge everyone to continue to stay at least 6 feet away from others outside of their household, wash hands regularly and disinfect shared surfaces often. 

As cases increase, tracing of close contacts to cases becomes increasingly important in order to control the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) is asking for public support in helping keep you and your loved ones safe by working with our contact tracers to determine who may have been exposed by: 

• Answering the phone when PHHS calls.
• Following PHHS and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance.
• Notifying your health care provider if you become ill.
• Calling your health care provider if you start to feel ill and you have not been tested for COVID-19.
• If you have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19, it is important that you remain at home and self-quarantine for 14 days, starting from the most recent day that you were possibly exposed to COVID-19. Monitor yourself, and maintain social distancing (at least 6 feet) from others at all times.
• Notifying those with whom you have had close contact with recently if you become ill.
• Seeking medical care if symptoms become severe. Severe symptoms include trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, or bluish lips or face.

Please be mindful that any public outing, especially those in large group settings, can increase your risk of being exposed to the virus. As more people begin to interact with others both in and outside of the county, it will be imperative for everyone to continue to practice social distancing, wash hands regularly and be conscious of who you interact with to lower the risk of exposure for you and your loved ones.