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<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 115%;">P.O. BOX 6015 COLUMBIA, MO 65205</p></div>
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<p style="font-size: 150%; font-weight: bold;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</p>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">March 23, 2020</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 100%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Steven Sapp
<br />Director of Community Relations
<br />City of Columbia
<br />Steven.Sapp@CoMo.gov</p>
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<div style="font-size: 110%; line-height:150%;"><h1 style="clear:both; margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 130%;">City of Columbia coronavirus (COVID-19) update - new positive cases, services and resources, press conference scheduled - Monday, March 23 at 6 p.m.</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - <strong>Monday, March 23 summary</strong><br />The number of positive cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) has increased in Boone County. At the time of publishing, there were 20 total cases. The topic for Monday's Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services Facebook Live video was services and resources available in Boone County. See some of the questions and answers below. The City of Columbia announced that a press conference regarding future actions related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) will be livestreamed on Tuesday, March 24 at 10 a.m.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Cases in Boone County</strong><br />
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<td style="height: 13px; width: 106px; text-align: center;">Total positive cases</td>
<td style="height: 13px; width: 65.5881px; text-align: center;">Deaths</td>
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<td style="height: 28.4432px; width: 106px; text-align: center;">20</td>
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*Numbers current as of March 23 at 6 p.m.<br /><br />Ages:<br />15-24 4 cases<br />25-44 6 cases<br />45-64 7 cases<br />65+ 3 cases<br /><br />Transmission:<br />14 are travel-related<br />2 contact to a confirmed case<br />1 is pending investigation<br />3 are community transmission<br /><br /><strong>Health message</strong><br />Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services is hosting Facebook Live videos on weekdays to provide the most current information on the situation and answer questions from residents. The videos can be accessed by visiting their Facebook page at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CoMoHealthDept" target="_blank">@CoMoHealthDept</a>. The Monday video focused on the services and resources available in Boone County if residents need help, as well as how to get involved and help others. Below are a few of the questions and answers from the video.<br /><br /><em>What do I do if I need help because of
job loss, etc? </em><br />The City of Columbia has a "<a href="https://www.como.gov/health/gethelp-coronavirus/" target="_blank">Get Help COVID-19</a>" page on the CoMo.gov website. This page will provide up-to-date information about social service and healthcare resources for residents of Boone County. <br /><br />To find help with things like food, childcare, assistance paying household bills, medicine, healthcare, mental health services, or other essential services, please use our local guide to health and human services. Residents can also contact United Way 2-1-1. It’s free and confidential, and specialists are available 24/7. <br /><br /><em>Where can I get free food, if needed?</em><br />Information on food banks and food pantries are available on <a href="https://www.como.gov/coronavirus/" target="_blank">CoMo.gov/Coronavirus</a>.<br /><br />There are also several programs available for meal delivery and grocery deliveries. There a
re resources on the website for signing up for Services for Independent Living, Meals on Wheels and Aging Best. <br /><br />There are several restaurants around Columbia that are offering free meals for those in need. A list of these restaurants can be found on the Columbia Convention and Visitors Bureau <a href="https://www.visitcolumbiamo.com/general-columbia/local-resources/" target="_blank">website</a>.<br /><br /><em>How can I support our community right now?</em><br />There are many ways residents can help support our community during this time.<br /><br />Anyone who is interested in donating money can visit <a href="https://www.comohelps.org/" target="_blank">CoMoHelps.org</a>, a joint effort of the Heart of Missouri United Way, Community Foundation of Central Missouri, City of Columbia and Boone County. Donations will be directed to priority needs in the community.<br /><br />Volunteer Columbia is another way to get involved. They are working with local agencies
to help coordinate volunteers during the coronavirus pandemic. They will be sharing needs that have arisen from this situation. Volunteers should help in ways they feel comfortable and safe. Those who are at higher risk of getting sick may wish to take extra precautions. <br /><br />One of the best ways residents can help the Boone County community is by encouraging social distancing and staying home as much as possible.<br /><br /><strong>Changes to City services</strong><br />A press conference regarding future actions related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) will be livestreamed on Tuesday, March 24 at 10 a.m. More information can be found here: <a href="https://bit.ly/3bk1Jcv" target="_blank">https://bit.ly/3bk1Jcv</a>.<br /><br /><br />Official information from the City of Columbia and Columbia/Boone County Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) can be found at <a href="https://www.como.gov/coronavirus/" target="_blank">CoMo.gov/Coronavirus</a>. The City will also b
e utilizing City and PHHS official social media accounts to post updates. They can be found at @CoMoGov on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CoMoGov/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/CoMoGov" target="_blank">Twitter</a> and @CoMoHealthDept on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CoMoHealthDept" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and @CoMo_HealthDept on <a href="https://twitter.com/CoMo_HealthDept" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.</div>
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<div style="margin-top: 15px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align:center;"><p>City of Columbia Vision<br>
<em>Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.</em></p>
<p>City of Columbia Mission<br>
<em>To serve the public through democratic, transparent and efficient government.</em></p>
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<p style="text-align:center;">-30-</p>
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