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Missouri schools report more COVID-19 cases as classes resume

Missouri colleges and K-12 schools alike have seen an increase in COVID-19 cases since the return to school this month, a couple college towns in different parts of state seeing similar numbers while other regions haven't experienced as noticeable of an impact when it comes to new cases.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — Missouri schools ranging from universities to a kindergarten continue to experience an increase in COVID-19 cases as classes resume.

The University of Missouri reported Monday that it had 415 active cases of COVID-19 on campus, an increase from the 306 reported Friday after the first week of on-campus classes.

The university reported faculty and staff cases for the first time Monday, with four faculty members and 21 staff having contracted the virus. Those numbers rely on self-reporting, while student numbers are gathered from the local health department, KMIZ reported.

Missouri State University in Springfield said it had 383 confirmed cases of COVID-19 during the second week of classes that ended Friday, more than double the 141 reported the week after classes started Aug. 17, the Springfield News Leader reported.

The overwhelming majority of the cases were students. About 20 percent of the latest confirmed cases live on campus and the rest live off campus, said David Hall, director of university safety.

And officials in the Webb City school district near Joplin closed a kindergarten center as 10 of its 24 staff members — but no students — tested positive for COVID-19.