Missouri reports big increases in coronavirus cases, deaths

(AP) Missouri’s health department has announced the state’s largest one-day increase in coronavirus deaths since the pandemic began. The website for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services on Friday shows 738 deaths, up from 707 on Thursday. The website also shows an increase of 122 confirmed cases. Gov. Mike Parson allowed the state to reopen May 5, though with restrictions. On Thursday, he announced that the second phase of the plan was pushed back to June 15 from May 31. He says the change was simply out of an abundance of caution.