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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;">MEDIA ADVISORY</p>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">April 8, 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 case, staying safe while running essential errands, letter from city manager to Utilities customers, community briefing video - Wednesday, April 8 at 5 p.m.</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - <br /><strong>Wednesday, April 8 summary</strong><br />The number of positive cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Boone County is currently 72 with 63 who have recovered at the time of publishing. Below is information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about how to conduct essential errands safely. Also below is information about a letter sent from City Manager John Glascock to Utilities customers and the link to watch the April 8 community briefing with local officials.<br /><br /><strong>Cases in Boone County</strong><br />
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<td style="width: 107px; height: 26px; text-align: center;">Total positive cases</td>
<td style="width: 44px; height: 26px; text-align: center;">Active</td>
<td style="width: 70.6px; height: 26px; text-align: center;">Recovered</td>
<td style="width: 48.4px; height: 26px; text-align: center;">Deaths</td>
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<td style="width: 107px; height: 30.8px; text-align: center;">72</td>
<td style="width: 44px; height: 30.8px; text-align: center;">8</td>
<td style="width: 70.6px; height: 30.8px; text-align: center;">63</td>
<td style="width: 48.4px; height: 30.8px; text-align: center;">1</td>
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*Numbers current as of April 8 at 5 p.m.<br /><br />Ages:<br />15-24: 18 cases<br />25-44: 28 cases<br />45-64: 23 cases<br />65+: 3 cases<br /><br />Transmission:<br />Travel-related: 28 cases<br />Contact to a confirmed case: 22 cases<br />Community transmission: 22 cases<br /><br /><strong>Health message</strong><br />While the City of Columbia, Boone County and state of Missouri are all under Stay at Home Orders, essential errands are still allowed. Permitted outings include grocery shopping, banking, getting gas, doctor visits and getting medicine. The CDC has several recommendations on its website about how to stay safe and healthy while in public for these essential activities. They include the following:<br />
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<li>Only visit the grocery store or other stores stelling essential items when you absolutely need to.</li>
<li>Avoid going out if you have a fever, cough or shortness of breath.</li>
<li>If possible, use touchless payment.</li>
<li>While there is no evidence that food or food packaging has been linked to getting sick, the Food and Drug Administration offers safety guidelines relating to food: <a href="https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-frequently-asked-questionsfood">fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-frequently-asked-questionsfood</a>.</li>
<li>When accepting deliveries at home, avoid contact with the delivery person if possible.</li>
<li>If you need to visit the bank, use the drive-through ATM if available and clean the keypad with a disinfecting wipe before use.</li>
<li>When getting gasoline, use gloves or disinfecting wipes on handles and buttons if available. </li>
<li>Visit the doctor when you need to, but only when you need to. Use telemedicine if available. </li>
<li>If you have coronavirus symptoms, let the doctor’s office know before visiting.</li>
<li>After all errands, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol until you can wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.</li>
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For additional tips from the CDC about running essential errands, please visit <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/essential-goods-services.html">cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/essential-goods-services.html</a>.<br /><br />Some stores have made changes to their operations, including modified hours for those who are high-risk for the illness, please contact your local store or visit their social media pages for updates.<br /><br /><strong>Changes to City services</strong><br />A community briefing was held Wednesday, April 8, with local leaders to give an update on the coronavirus (COVID-19). To view the video of the briefing, please visit <a href="https://gocolumbiamo.granicus.com/player/clip/2010?view_id=13">https://gocolumbiamo.granicus.com/player/clip/2010?view_id=13</a>.<br /><br /><em>Utilities</em><br />A message from City Manager John Glascock was sent to City of Columbia Utilities customers who have shared their email
address with the City through their utility account. The letter addressed maintaining vital services as well as changes that have been made to utilities during the pandemic, including suspending utility disconnects, late payment fees and, online and phone convenience fees. The letter can be found here: <a href="https://www.como.gov/wp-content/uploads/April-3-City-Manager-Letter-Utilities-Customers.pdf">CoMo.gov/wp-content/uploads/April-3-City-Manager-Letter-Utilities-Customers.pdf</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/">CoMo.gov/Coronavirus</a>. The City will also be 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/">Facebook</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/CoMoGov">Twitter</a> and @CoMoHealthDept on <a href="https://www.
facebook.com/CoMoHealthDept">Facebook</a> and @CoMo_HealthDept on <a href="https://twitter.com/CoMo_HealthDept">Twitter</a>.</div>
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