Today’s update discusses:

• College-aged residents accounting for half the state’s new cases
• State’s new case numbers decreasing
• Public schools offering a variety of learning options
• Mizzou tightening its face covering mandate

HEALTH

• Governor Parson announced recently that college-aged residents in the state are currently among the leading positive COVID-19 cases. According to the governor, those aged 18-24 accounted for half of last week’s positive tests. In addition, the state’s health department confirmed that those aged 20-24 have accounted for 12,359 positive cases since the pandemic began, more than any other age group.
• As previously updated, Missouri had recently been on a streak of more than 1,000 new COVID-19 cases daily, but Tuesday marked the second consecutive day in which the state reported fewer than 1,000 new cases. (In comparison, on Tuesday the seven-day rolling average for cases in the state was 1,337. On Monday the average was 1,378 cases, and one month ago the rolling average was 874.)

EDUCATION

• According to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, three-quarters of Missouri’s public schools are giving students the option to attend in-person learning. The Department reported that 40.3% of the state’s schools are offering in-person learning, with an option to attend classes virtually instead. An additional 22.5% of schools are providing a hybrid learning format that combines in-person and virtual attendance, while 11.2% are offering in-person learning only. The remaining 26% are offering virtual learning only. The state is currently not tracking the number of K-12 students who have tested positive, but it is working toward that goal.
• The University of Missouri (Mizzou) has released new face covering requirements. All students, faculty, staff, and visitors are now required to wear face coverings the entire time they are on campus, including while outdoors and while alone. A few exceptions are allowed, including when an employee is working alone in a private office with the door closed. According to the school’s website, sanctions will be imposed for not abiding by these rules, including suspension for students and disciplinary action for faculty and staff.