*Missouri Governor Michael L. Parson*

Office of Communications

_____________________________________________________________________________________

*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*

October 5, 2020

*COVID-19 Update Regarding the Governor's Office*

*(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) * After testing positive for COVID-19 on September 23, Governor Mike Parson and First Lady Teresa Parson have both fully recovered and returned to their regular schedules.

Teresa and I are so grateful that we are two of well over 100,000 Missourians that have recovered from this virus, *Governor Parson* said. We are glad to be back and want to again thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers. We are humbled every day to be surrounded by such great people across the state.

Consistent with state policy and transparency of sharing statistics regarding COVID-19 and state employees, the Governor's Office is releasing the number of staffers who have tested positive for the virus. Only four staffers have tested positive since the beginning of Missouri's fight with COVID-19. This includes Governor's Office staff, Governor's Mansion staff, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol Governor Security Division.

All staff meeting the definition of close contact were tested following the Governor and First Lady's positive test results. The four staffers who tested positive have fully recovered. The remainder of staff identified as close contacts tested negative and followed proper quarantine protocol consistent with CDC guidelines. The Governor's Office continued all normal businesses operations and duties during this time.

At this time, Governor Parson does not plan to be retested for COVID-19. According to the CDC, evidence in most cases supports a symptom-based (rather than test-based) strategy to determine when to discontinue home isolation. Those who test positive for COVID-19 are to stay in isolation until 24 hours after fever is gone without using medicine, other symptoms have improved, and 10 days after symptoms began. If asymptomatic, the test date is used in place of symptom onset date.

The CDC's updated recommendations on discontinuing home isolation can be found here [ [link removed] ].

###

________________________________________________________________________

*Contact: Kelli R. Jones*

Communications Director

Work: 573-751-0765

Mobile: 573-508-9072

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.governor.mo.gov


Follow us on Twitter [ [link removed] ] Visit us on Twitter [ [link removed] ]
Unsubscribe [ [link removed] ]



________________________________________________________________________

This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Office of Governor Michael L. Parson PO Box 720 Jefferson City, MO 65102 (573) 751-3222 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]