Today’s update discusses:

• Some areas implementing required face coverings as virus cases rise
• Summer camp in Southwest Missouri reporting 82 new cases
• Some counties seeing significant rise in cases
• Governor’s plan to get kids back in school this fall

HEALTH

• As virus cases across Missouri continue to rise, more local governments in the Kansas City area are requiring face coverings. For example, Platte County is requiring face coverings while in public places starting on Thursday. North Kansas City had planned on having face coverings only through last weekend but has since extended the mandate through August 1. Kansas City is mandating masks indefinitely. As of now, Governor Parson has not mentioned a statewide mandate.
• Stone County Health Department announced this week that a popular summer camp in the southwest region of the state reported 82 new cases of COVID-19. As a result, the camp, Christian Kanakuk Kamp, closed and sent all campers, counselors, and staff home. According to health officials, the campers exposed involve residents of 10 different states and a number of areas of Missouri. The department announced they will be working to identify those who have been exposed so they may be quarantined as necessary.
• Several mid-Missouri counties are experiencing an uptick in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks, leading officials to consider implementing a mask ordinance (with others passing the ordinance). Boone County, for example, has reached 600 cases of the virus, and the county’s leaders passed a mask ordinance. Cooper, Maries, and Osage Counties also have had increased coronavirus cases over the last seven days.

EDUCATION

• Governor Parson stated that kids will be back to school in Missouri this fall, noting that the state’s medical system is not currently being overwhelmed. In fact, the Governor was present at the White House this week for a meeting with President Trump about reopening schools and colleges in the fall. In speaking about President Trump’s pressure on governors and schools to reopen, the Governor stated, “We all need a little push to get things going.” Health officials are also working on guidelines for a safe return this fall, with detailed guidelines expected later this month.