Coronavirus: City Of St. Louis Notified Of First Positive Result For COVID-19

From the City of St. Louis:

Posted March 16, 2020

The City of St. Louis Director of Health, Fredrick Echols, M.D., and Mayor Lyda Krewson announced Monday that the City of St. Louis has its first positive case of COVID-19.

The person who tested positive returned from an overseas trip to an airport in another state, and while driving back to the City of St. Louis, contacted medical professionals with concerns of symptoms. They were instructed to visit a local medical facility to be screened and ultimately tested for COVID-19. Since that test, they have self-quarantined, in compliance with CDC guidelines, in their residence and have worked with the Department of Health staff to monitor their condition. Department of Health staff learned of the positive result late Monday.

Starting tomorrow (March 17), City Hall and the city facility at 1520 Market will begin temperature testing those entering the buildings. Anyone with a temperature higher than 100.4 must return home and not enter either building. This protocol is to limit any exposure to illness.

Mayor Lyda Krewson also discussed the decision by the state of Illinois to close bars and dining inside restaurants. At this time, the City of St. Louis continues to prohibit more than 50 people inside dining establishments and bars and asks patrons to stay six feet away from others to limit any possible exposure. This decision that the City, along with partners across the St. Louis region, plans to re-evaluate regularly as the COVID-19 situation progresses. The City of St. Louis will discuss any possible changes with surrounding counties to make decisions like this jointly.

This latest development in the COVID-19 global pandemic continues to demonstrate the fluidity of the situation. It is critical members of the public continue to practice recommended preventative measures, such as social distancing and robust personal hygiene, as recommended by the CDC. For additional guidance on protective measures, please visit the City of St. Louis’ COVID-19 website: stlouis-mo.gov/covid-19

This press release was produced by the City of St. Louis. The views expressed here are the author’s own.