Joplin sees 12 more cases of COVID-19, 56 total

The Joplin Health Department is reporting 12 additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the total cases to 56 within the city of Joplin. Ten individuals reside in Joplin within Jasper County and include eight adults and two children. Two adult individuals reside in Joplin within Newton County (Note: these cases will be counted under Joplin on the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services website.)

There is no known recent travel with any of the cases. Eight are community acquired; three of the cases are contacts to a known positive case, and one case is still under investigation. With this announcement, the City of Joplin’s Health Department has 20 active cases currently, with 101 individuals under active quarantine. Quarantine refers to the practice of confining individuals who have had close contact with a COVID-19 case to determine whether they develop symptoms of the disease. Quarantine for COVID-19 should last for a period of 14 days

The Joplin Health Department staff works under the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services guidelines in determining any close contacts of this individual who were possibly exposed. If exposed, health officials will contact the individuals to provide guidance as well as to establish monitoring them closely for the development of symptoms over a 14-day period.