Number of Missouri COVID-19 cases jumps by nearly 300

(AP) The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Missouri has jumped by nearly 300, even as calls for a statewide stay-at-home mandate increased. The state health department said Tuesday that 14 people have died and 1,327 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed. That is a 28.7% increase from the 1,031 confirmed cases on Monday. Five cases are being reported in Jasper County, one in Joplin, and five cases in Newton County.

Gov. Mike Parson has banned gatherings of more than 10 people but said Tuesday that he’s not yet ready to issue a statewide stay-at-home order, as requested by several health care organizations and Democratic politicians. Nearly two dozen other states have required people to stay at home except in exceptional circumstances.