Mayor says Joplin COVID-19 hospitalization rate increasing

The City of Joplin held its Monday briefing this morning  and COVID-19 was high on the list of subjects covered.

Joplin mayor Ryan Stanley says the city has seen a total of 21 deaths and currently has 34 active cases.

As for hospitalizations, the news could be better.

“At Mercy currently there are 18,” the Mayor reported. “Five are in ICU, and two are in vents.  Also, at Freeman there are 15. So collectively at the hospitals now there are 33.”

“Those numbers are increasing.” he stated. “We’re seeing a higher level of hospitalization currently than what we saw over the last couple of weeks.”

Mayor Stanley says the city is keeping its eyes on the numbers, especially as area schools get ready to go back into session.