The number of coronavirus cases in Missouri grew by 60% in one day giving health officials concern that the virus is now spreading person-to-person.
The figures were released just as the Jackson County Health Department confirmed Friday the first coronavirus death in the state’s second most populous county. That death marks the second in Missouri.
READ: List of retailers closed or with reduced hours
The patient was in eastern Jackson County, which covers much of the Kansas City metropolitan area. It was not known if the patient was in a suburb or in a rural area of the county.
As of Friday morning, there are 47 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Missouri. That’s up from the state’s 28 confirmed cases on March 19.
Concerning the death in Jackson County, the health department says the patient was a woman in her 80’s and had not recently traveled. That news is most disturbing to health officials since it shows that the virus is spreading in the community from person-to-person contact.
Officials have not provided any other details in respect to the family at this time.
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson spoke on the update Friday afternoon and also issued an order to prohibit gatherings of more than 10 people, which takes effect Saturday.
For info on steps to take to reduce the spread of coronavirus, visit the CDC.
–Metro Voice
