JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services reported fewer than 200 new COVID-19 cases Wednesday.
The department reported 11,232 cases and 631 deaths Wednesday, an increase of 152 cases and 15 deaths. The number of tests conducted in the state increased by 3,688 on Wednesday to a total of 161,984.
The single-day case increases reported by DHSS over the last week were:
- 135 on Tuesday
- 156 on Monday
- 114 on Sunday
- 219 on Saturday
- 139 on Friday
- 175 on Thursday
As of Wednesday, the percent of tests coming back positive in Missouri — also known as the positivity rate — was 7.11%. That number has been trending down since peaking at 10% on April 19. That number can represent an increase in testing capacity, a decrease in the spread of the virus or both.
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson said he wants to ramp up COVID-19 testing across the state.
"We have the testing capacity and we have to find ways to use that capacity to test as many people as we can," Parson said during his Tuesday afternoon briefing.
His administration has a goal of performing 7,500 tests per day, starting next week.
"The more tests we can do today also prepares us more for this fall when school systems open up, when the universities open up. When the flu season gets here again, it's important we do more testing so that we're prepared."
The state's count did not include nine deaths and about 280 cases reported by local health departments in the St. Louis area, bringing the total in the state to 11,522 cases and 640 deaths. Local health departments have more up-to-date information about their area, so the numbers are typically higher than the state's numbers.
St. Louis and St. Louis County are the top two areas in terms of cases and deaths, but other counties have higher rates per 100,000 people. St. Louis has the highest rate in our area with 571 cases per 100,000, but Saline County(1,124 per 100,000), Buchanan County(643 per 100,000) and Sullivan County(607 per 100,000) all have higher rates. St. Louis County has the sixth-highest rate, 439 cases per 100,000.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services changed to a new dashboard that features more information, including 7-day increase trends for individual counties.
The age breakdown for state-reported cases as of Wednesday was:
- Under 20 393
- 20-24 669
- 25-29 811
- 30-34 768
- 35-39 751
- 40-44 794
- 45-49 904
- 50-54 956
- 55-59 1025
- 60-64 981
- 65-69 757
- 70-74 621
- 75-79 490
- 80+ 1301
The age breakdown for state-reported deaths as of Wednesday was:
- Under 20 0
- 20-29 1
- 30-39 3
- 40-49 13
- 50-59 43
- 60-69 108
- 70-79 164
- 80+ 299
For a full county-by-county breakdown, including per 100,000 data, use our interactive map:
