Springfield-Greene County Health Department warns of potential COVID-19 exposures from workers at Showtime Joe's

(From the Springfield-Greene County Health Department)

The Springfield-Greene County Health Department is notifying the public of potential high-risk community exposures from at least four COVID-19 positive individuals.

The individuals worked at Showtime Joe’s at 2209 W. Sunshine St. over the course of several days. 

These individuals and customers were inconsistently masked. The employees worked between 5 p.m. and 1 a.m. on the following dates:

Wednesday, September 2
Friday, September 4
Saturday, September 5

Monday, September 7
Tuesday, September 8
Wednesday, September 9
Friday, September 11
Saturday, September 12

Anyone who was within six feet of a staff member for more than 15 minutes or had physical contact for any length of time on these dates should self-quarantine for 14 days from the latest date of contact.

This exposure is considered high-risk due to the lack of masking and the nature of close contact over several days. Upon learning of this situation, the Health Department and Springfield Police Department are working together to investigate. There were no previous masking complaints against this establishment.

Face masks are required in public settings within Springfield city limits. Patrons of restaurants and/or bars must wear a face mask while seated except when eating and/or drinking. Anyone serving customers in any capacity must also wear a face covering. You can read the ordinance in its entirety here.

We all play a critical role in slowing the spread of COVID-19. Wear a face mask when in a public setting, practice physical distancing of at least six feet, practice proper hand hygiene and avoid large crowds as much as possible. If?someone is sick or thinks they may be sick, they need to stay home.

COVID-19 is spread through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It spreads between people who are in close contact with one another.

Symptoms of COVID-19 include:

Fever or chills
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
New loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea

If symptoms do develop, seek medical attention. You can use virtual care options to seek medical treatment without exposing others to illness. Links are available here.

The health department announced on July 17 that it would be suspending low-risk community exposure notices, but public notifications would continue to be made in cases of high-risk exposures. You can read that news release here.

For more information about COVID-19, visit our website at?health.springfieldmo.gov/coronavirus.