Seventh COVID-19 case reported in Joplin, almost no other information provided

The Joplin Health Department announced a seventh case of COVID-19 this afternoon and following the pattern that has been established with the first six, provided almost no information other than that the person is an adult and lives in the City of Joplin.

Otherwise, the news release issued was virtually identical to those that have been released for each other six.

Joplin residents have yet to be provided information on whether there is any area of the city that might be particularly affected or if the virus is confined to people in one age group or has been spread among various groups, only that no identifying information will be provided.







The text of the news release is printed below:

The Joplin Health Department today announces the seventh positive case of COVID-19 in an adult within the city of Joplin. The individual resides in Joplin within Jasper County. (Note: this case will be counted under Joplin on the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services website.)

To protect the patient’s right to privacy, identifying information will not be provided. As part of the regular practice of disease investigation, the Health Department will notify people who have had contact with the patient. This case appears to be a related to domestic travel within the United States.

The Joplin Health Department staff are working with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to determine any close contacts of this individual who were possibly exposed. If exposed, health officials will provide guidance to these individuals and monitor them closely for the development of symptoms.

While COVID-19 is spread from person to person, more than 80% of the patients who develop it will only become mildly ill. The concern is for patients with underlying medical conditions and the elderly, who are more likely to need hospital-level supportive care.









Primary symptoms to be aware of include:

100.4 fever or higher - 90% will have fever.

Dry cough - 70% will have a dry cough.

Shortness of breath – for those who become more acutely ill.

Individuals experiencing these symptoms should contact their medical provider before traveling to their office. The public is reminded that a drive-through test site, operated by Freeman and Mercy hospitals, is also a possible testing site for persons with these symptoms. This test collection site is exclusively for patients who meet certain criteria that determine if a test is necessary. Anyone seeking a test must call ahead to be screened and, if approved, schedule a time to visit the drive-through testing site. The number for the screening call center is 417-347-6444.

Guidance on considerations for COVID-19, as well as recommendations on other health practices if going out for essential activities can be found at www.joplinmo.org/coronavirus or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website at https://www.cdc.gov/ .