Joplin Mayor: We are seeing a tangible increase in our COVID-19 cases

Joplin City Council members may hear from as many as 30 people during a meeting that started at 6 p.m. and may last until nearly midnight tonight as the city's mask ordinance is scheduled to expire at midnight.

The decision comes at a time when the number of COVID-19 cases is once again increasing.

During this morning's weekly news conference, Mayor Ryan Stanley said the number of COVID-19 cases, which is listed at 33 on the city dashboard through Sunday has increased by six more people since that time, with 20 hospitalized at Freeman with COVID-19 and 18 at Mercy.

Though only three of those people are from Joplin, Stanley noted the number of active cases in the city has increased to 67.

The city's total, which stood at 499 on Sunday passed the 500 mark and the new cases appear to be a result of community spread, Stanley said.

"We are seeing a tangible increase in our cases."