City of Columbia Missouri Community Relations

P.O. BOX 6015 COLUMBIA, MO 65205

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 29, 2020

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

City of Columbia coronavirus (COVID-19) update - new positive cases, masks in public - Monday, June 29 at 5 p.m.

(COLUMBIA, MO) -

Monday, June 29 summary


The number of positive cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Boone County is currently 354 with 261 who have been released from isolation at the time of publishing. There are 20 new cases from the previous press release update on Friday, June 26 and the number released from isolation has increased by 26. There are currently 91 active cases. The data, including detailed information on the latest COVID-19 case statistics, testing, hospital status and more, are updated daily on CoMo.gov/Coronavirus. Below is information from local health officials about a possible ordinance requiring individuals to wear masks in public.


Cases in Boone County

Total positive cases Active Released from isolation Deaths
354 91 261 2

*Numbers current as of June 29 at 5 p.m.


Ages:

<15: 31 cases (2 additional cases) 

15-24: 117 cases (9 additional cases)

25-44: 112 cases (5 additional cases)

45-64: 62 cases (1 additional case)

65+: 32 cases (3 additional cases)

 

Transmission:

Travel-related: 36 cases (1 additional case since Friday) 

Contact to a confirmed case: 197 cases (22 additional cases since Friday)

Community transmission: 109 cases (11 additional cases since Friday)

Unknown/pending investigation: 12 cases (14 resolved since Friday)


Possible future ordinance/health order

On Friday, June 26, Columbia Mayor Brian Treece asked City Manager John Glascock to have an ordinance drafted for Council to consider that would require individuals to wear a mask in all public settings in Columbia due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases. Staff with Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services and the City’s Law Department are currently researching various options for an ordinance, as well as options for a health order.  Once more information becomes available, it will be shared with our community. 

 

Health Message

Due to the increased volume of new COVID-19 cases being reported daily, the case investigator team may be delayed in contacting a new case. If someone has newly received a positive test result, they should isolate at home immediately and prepare a list of people they have had close contact with. A member of the PHHS team will contact them as soon as possible. PHHS continues to train additional staff in case investigating in order to address this increased demand. 

 

As of June 28, 55% of the overall positive cases have been in those under the age of 30. This is a continuation of the trend we have seen for the last several weeks, as well as across the state. While this age group may be at less risk for severe illness, they can still easily spread the virus to others who are more vulnerable to life-threatening illnesses. 

 

The majority of new cases between June 21 and June 27 were transmitted by contact with a known case. This suggests that people may be experiencing caution fatigue and no longer following mitigation efforts. We must stay vigilant about slowing the spread of the virus by practicing social distancing at all times, including at birthday parties, bars and other gatherings, as well as practicing good hand hygiene regularly and increasing efforts to clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces. 

 

Changes to City services

On May 19 Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services launched a new COVID-19 information hub for the City of Columbia and Boone County. The hub, updated daily, serves as a resource for the entire community with detailed information on the latest COVID-19 case statistics, testing, hospital status and more. 

 

Beginning Wednesday, July 1, the City of Columbia will no longer produce the daily "City of Columbia coronavirus (COVID-19) update" as the daily case information is available on the hub. The hub can be viewed by visiting CoMo.gov/Coronavirus and clicking on "Boone County Information Hub." Additionally, PHHS publishes a daily "End of Day Summary" which can be viewed at https://www.como.gov/coronavirus/official-documents/.

 

Other important announcements, health orders or changes to City services will be shared with our community with individual press releases and social media to ensure the community is provided the most up-to-date information.



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-