Coronavirus patient undergoing treatment at Mercy-Joplin

A positive case of COVID-19 (coronavirus) is being treated at Mercy Hospital in Joplin.

Officials from Mercy told NewsTalk KZRG the patient, a Bourbon County, Kansas resident, was referred to their hospital for care after being tested.

Mercy officials said the following in a prepared statement:

“After having been tested for COVID-19 at an emergency department in the surrounding area, a patient was referred to Mercy Hospital Joplin for care.

"Since arriving to our hospital, the patient’s test results came back positive.

"Our staff was prepared and has continuously followed the appropriate CDC protocols since the patient arrived in order to eliminate any risk of exposure to co-workers and patients.”

The case would mark the first positive case of COVID-19 to be treated in Joplin.