Missouri’s statewide stay-at-home order extended

Missouri Governor Mike Parson has extended the statewide stay-at-home order thru Sunday May 3. It was originally set to expire Friday April 24.

“The truth is this virus is going to be around for several more months. People are going to continue to get sick, people are going to continue to die from this virus. We have to make sure to get all the care we can to protect people but we also gotta be able to open the economy at the same time,” said Parson.

Missourians are required to stay home unless you are going out to perform an essential task such as working at an essential business, getting food or medicine, seeking medical care, caring for children, a family member or pet, or are engaging in an outdoor activity while maintaining social distancing.

“Because of you we have improved the predictions of COVID-19 in our state. You have listened, you have taken social distancing seriously and you have looked out for each other and you have followed the stay-at-home order,” said Parson.

The state now reporting 5,111 cases of the coronavirus with 152 deaths. The city of Joplin reporting seven cases, Jasper County reporting 15 cases and Newton County reporting nine cases of the virus.

While roughly 80% of cases report just mild symptoms, some progress into severe pneumonia and multi-organ failure and can lead to death.

“We are seeing very early signs in the data leading us to be cautiously optimist that Missouri is beginning to slow the course of the infection and see improvement, even in our hardest hit areas like St. Louis and Kansas City,” Governor Parson said. “Today, I am extending the ‘Stay Home Missouri’ Order through Sunday, May 3, so we can prepare to reopen the economy and get Missourians back to work.”

Between now and May 4, the Governor’s Office will continue to monitor the situation and work with Missouri’s hospitals, health care providers, public health experts, business leaders, and state departments to develop a plan.

The state’s approach to recovery will be deliberate and data-driven with two initial phases intended to protect those most at risk of exposure to COVID-19 while returning Missouri to a new normal.

The “Show Me Strong Recovery” plan will rest on four essential pillars:

1. Rapidly expand testing capacity and volume in the state, including testing for those who are currently contagious and those who have developed immunity to the virus

2. Expand reserves of PPE by opening public and private supply chains and continuing to utilize Missouri businesses in that effort

3. Continue to monitor and, if necessary, expand hospital and health care system capacity, including isolation and alternate care facilities for those that cannot self-quarantine at home

4. Improve ability to predict potential outbreaks using Missouri’s public health data

This approach combines a number of sources on data specific to Missouri, allowing state leaders to evaluate the situation locally, regionally, and statewide. Localized data includes the following:

• Hospitalization of known and presumed COVID-19 cases
• Relative population density and mobility
• Lab testing results
• Health care facility capacity to treat COVID-19, including available hospital beds and ventilators

“Missouri is incredibly diverse, and our reopening efforts will be careful, deliberate, and done in phases,” Governor Parson said. “We must be ready for a slow but steady road to recovery with some sort of social distancing continuing even as we begin to reopen the economy. I look forward to seeing Missourians safe, healthy, and back to work.”

Governor Parson’s “Stay Home Missouri” Order took effect on April 6, stating that individuals currently residing within the state of Missouri shall avoid leaving their homes or places of residence unless necessary. All guidelines in the Order will remain the same.

Watch his entire briefing below: (starts at 4:40 mark)