Coronavirus Task Force Coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx Visits Missouri

A member of the White House Coronavirus task force is on a 20-state tour of the Midwest, and Missouri is included on the schedule.

Coronavirus Response Coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx made her way through Lake of the Ozarks on Tuesday while learning more about the increase in positive COVID cases in the south.

Dr. Birx and Governor Mike Parson spoke at a press briefing in Jefferson City.

She says the rise in cases has the attention of the White House Coranavirus Task Force.

She also says the virus started to ramping up in states like Ohio, Indiana and Illinois in June and July.

Despite the uptick in cases of the China Virus, Parson says the state health system is not overrun and the death rate of COVID patients is dropping significantly.

Parson says as the impacts and behavior of COVID-19 continue to shift, they will continue to adapt to the needs of the citizens.

Governor Parson Meets with Dr. Deborah Birx, Cabinet Members, State Health Officials, and Community Stakeholders to Discuss COVID-19 in Missouri

(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) – Today, Governor Mike Parson, Cabinet members, state health officials, and community stakeholders were joined by White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx for a discussion at the Missouri Governor’s Mansion.

Missouri is one of 20 states Dr. Birx has visited over the past six weeks to meet with state officials and provide guidance on COVID-19.

“It was an honor to host Dr. Birx in Missouri today and learn more about where we stand from a national perspective,” Governor Parson said. “I want to thank her, the President, Vice President, and the entire Trump Administration for all they’ve done for both the country and Missouri throughout COVID-19. We appreciate their continued support and guidance during this unprecedented time.”

“We had a productive discussion with Governor Parson along with state and local health officials about how the federal government can continue to partner with Missouri to keep its citizens safe,” Dr. Birx said. “The Administration continues to encourage all Americans to slow the spread of COVID-19 by practicing social distancing including avoiding crowded places, wearing a mask, and washing their hands.”

Dr. Birx originally introduced the “box-in” testing strategy to Missouri officials during a conference call, which focuses heavily on testing, contact tracing, isolation, and quarantine. State officials have aggressively executed this strategy across Missouri, particularly in long-term care facilities.

To date, 468 long-term care facilities in Missouri have experienced at least one positive case of COVID-19 – either among residents, staff, or both. Since increasing testing capabilities, the state has been able to work more closely with facilities that have been heavily impacted by the virus.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has now helped nearly 400 congregate living facilities implement box-in testing, and more than 115,000 tests have been conducted in long-term care facilities using this strategy.

Since implementing box-in testing, Missouri has seen a significant decrease in its COVID-19 observed case fatality ratio. During April and May, more than seven percent of all observed cases each month in Missouri were fatal. In June, that number dropped to less than two percent. It is now less than half of a percent so far in August.

“Lives are being saved, and for that we thank Dr. Birx and everyone who has worked hard to implement this strategy over and over again throughout Missouri,” Governor Parson said. “As the impacts and behavior of COVID-19 continue to shift, we will continue to adapt to the needs of our citizens.”