Two more COVID-19 cases in Barton County, potential exposures at Joplin locations-Taco Bell, Guitars Rock N'Country Bar, Spirit 66 Food Mart

(From the Barton County Health Department)

The Barton County Health Department is announcing two additional positive cases of COVID-19 in Barton County. Total active cases in the county now stand at nine. 

The eighth case is a related exposure to the previous seven cases. The ninth case is a known work acquired exposure discovered during facility wide testing. Both cases are in the western portion of the county. 

To protect the privacy of the individual and their family, we will not release individually identifiable details. The individuals are Quarantined and being monitored closely by the Barton County Health Department.

The Barton County Health Department is working in conjunction with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to determine any close contacts of this individual who were possibly exposed. 

Those person(s) will be provided with specific instructions on appropriate social distancing, monitoring, and immediate actions should they develop signs and symptoms of COVID-19.

Prior to being diagnosed, the individual(s) visited the following location(s): 

One case visited the following businesses on 6/12/2020
• Spirit 66 Food Mart: 703 W 7th St, Joplin, MO from 10:00 pm – 12:00 am
• Guitars Rock N’ Country Bar: 1800 W 7th Street, Joplin, MO from 10:00 pm -12:50 am
• Taco Bell Drive Through: 2315 W 7th St, Joplin, MO from, 10:00 pm – 12:00 am
• WalMart Supercenter: 2710 N Broadway, Pittsburg, KS from 7:00 pm – 7:30 pm

These are considered to be low risk exposures.

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.

To be evaluated for symptoms of COVID-19, or if symptoms worsen, we ask individuals to call their local medical provider or hospital before seeking treatment. 

People who feel they might have the virus need to give health care providers a warning so safety precautions can be taken before their arrival to help prevent the infection of health care workers and others at the facility.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is operating a hotline for residents and health care providers to call for information and guidance about COVID-19. The statewide hotline number is 877-435-8411. The hotline is being operated by medical professionals and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.