Outbreak in Greene County Jail, long-term facilities, large group activities causes for 82 new COVID-19 cases

(From the Springfield-Greene County Health Department)

The Springfield-Greene County Health Department and City of Springfield held a media briefing today to provide an update on COVID-19 and remind the community of the seriousness of the disease.

COVID-19 update

On Wednesday, the Health Department received 82 new cases of COVID-19 among Greene County residents. This follows 95 new cases on Tuesday.

These cases are currently under investigation, so the full details of the circumstances of each are currently unknown. The Health Department will continue to investigate and analyze trends.

At this time, it does appear that at least 42 of these cases are connected to the Greene County Jail or long-term care facilities.

There also appear to be a number of cases emerging from large group activities.

“We need to be avoiding high-risk activities such as gathering in large groups and ignoring masking and physical distancing,” Director of Health Clay Goddard emphasized during the briefing. “I think many of us are letting our guard down around the people we know or feel close to—but we can’t have that false sense of security. We have to continue to be vigilant, because this is one of our biggest vulnerabilities as a community.”

In the last three weeks, those in the age category of 20-29 have made up 30% of Greene County’s new cases. Goddard urged young adults to take the virus seriously, and to be leaders in keeping themselves and their loved ones healthy.

“We know you’re up for this challenge,” Goddard said. “Our young adults are some of the most motivated, creative and capable generations I’ve seen. You will find ways to live, to work and to socialize that keep you and the people you care about from the further spread of illness. I have every confidence that you will find solutions that the rest of us will copy.”

Tom and Joyce Gammon’s story

During the briefing, the video linked below shared Tom Gammon speaking about his wife, Joyce. Joyce tragically passed from COVID-19 in June.

Tom’s story serves as an important reminder for all of us to take care of each other and do our due diligence to slow the spread of COVID-19. It’s more important now than ever to come together to protect our family, friends and neighbors.

Tom’s video: https://vimeo.com/445648963

Civil Emergency Proclamation

As a housekeeping item in order to ensure the city has needed flexibility in the coming weeks, Mayor Ken McClure issued a renewal of the Sixth Proclamation of Civil Emergency, effective Aug. 14-Sept. 13.

“There continues to reasonably appear to exist a state of civil emergency, and I, therefore, am renewing the Sixth Proclamation of Civil Emergency for an additional 30 days; however, due to the passage by City Council of an ordinance setting out regulations to protect public health and safety from the spread of COVID-19, I do not believe it necessary to exercise the additional powers granted to me under City Code at the present time,” McClure said.