Online Update: First COVID-19 Case for Barton County; Cases Spike in Jasper County

The Barton County Health Department has announced that there is now a confirmed case of COVID-19 in that county, its first since the outbreak began earlier this year.

This announcement comes as Missouri Gov. Mike Parson announced earlier today that more of the restrictions that were put into place due to the ongoing pandemic will be allowed to expire next week, on June 16. County health authorities can still leave local restrictions in place, however. This would allow most of the state to "fully re-open for business" even while a number of counties are reporting spikes in reported cases.

The case was reportedly "community" acquired.

In a statement, health department officials said that to protect the privacy of the individual and their family, individually identifiable details will not be released. The individual is in quarantine and being monitored, closely, by the county health authorities.

The BCHD also stated that they will notify anyone who may have had close contact with the individual. At that time, any such person will be given specific instructions on appropriate social distancing, monitoring, and what immediate actions to take should they develop signs and symptoms of COVID-19.

The first Barton County case was announced just as Jasper County was announcing a spike in reported cases of COVID-19 as restrictions on movement are lifted. Jasper County currently has 44 active confirmed cases in isolation, with another 309 individuals under quarantine and 199 being monitored. Most of these cases are concentrated in the Carthage area.

Barton County borders Dade County to the west, Jasper County borders Dade to the southwest. To date, there have not been any confirmed cases of Dade County residents with COVID-19.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is continuing to operate a hotline for residents and health care providers to call for information and guidance about the Coronavirus and COVID-19. The statewide hotline number is 877-435-8411. The hotline is being operated by medical professionals and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.