Missouri ‘red zone’ rank moves to 7th in new White House report

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A recent White House coronavirus report ranks Missouri seventh in the U.S. for COVID-19 case rates.

The White House published the report on Sept. 6 and the Center for Public Integrity released it on Sept. 9.

The report pushed Missouri's rank from 10th on Aug. 30 to seventh after the state's case rate reached 150 cases per 100,000 people the week of Aug. 31.

Several mid-Missouri counties were designated in the 'red zone' in the recent report, meaning those areas had case rates reaching over 100 cases per 100,000 people and positive rates greater than 10 percent.

Boone and Cole counties ranked second and sixth respectively in the Sept. 6 report. Previously, Boone County ranked third and Cole County had not reached 'red zone' status.

Other mid-Missouri counties in the 'red zone' included Camden, Chariton and Miller counties.

The report also broke down 'red zone' cities which included Columbia ranked second in the state and Jefferson City in fifth.

The White House recommends areas in the 'red zone' shut down bars, limit indoor dining to 25 percent capacity and require masks or other face coverings.