By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
St. Joseph city councilmembers are closely watching COVID-19 numbers, attempting to discern any trends as they decide city policy.
Acting City Manager Chris Connally says it appears the current requirement that masks be worn in St. Joseph stores of 10,000 square feet or more seems to be working.
“I personally right now don’t mind wearing a mask in order to slow down any spread or anything that I might contribute, because I’m out and around folks. But I also understand other people’s sentiments as it relates to masks,” Connally tells host Barry Birr on the KFEQ Hotline.
Connally says he has noticed that some smaller businesses have been requesting customers wear masks as well.
Connally says he is watching coronavirus case trends while not trying to get caught up in daily counts.
“To me, the day-to-day data on positive tests is a little elusive, because it’s not like you’re being tested that day and getting results that day in a lot of cases,” Connally says.
As for the daily count, St. Joseph health officials report total COVID-19 cases at 1,225 with 1,058 confirmed by tests and 167 considered probable. Twelve new cases were reported Thursday on the heels of 14 new cases reported Wednesday.
Connally says he keeps a close watch on hospitalizations which he characterizes as stable.
“To me, the index to pay more close attention to from the beginning has been whether or not your medical system is in any way shape or form overwhelmed.”
Mosaic Life Care has tested 22,362 area residents with 1,071 testing positive. Mosaic is awaiting results from 157 tests. Mosaic reports 19 patients hospitalized currently for COVID-19.
Andrew County has reported 114 total cases since counting began with Doniphan County, Kansas reporting 52 cases.