The Joplin Health Department says two women who lived at a long-term care facility have died from the coronavirus.

The women were 73 and 87.

The health department is now testing all staff and residents to see if anyone else has the virus.

Here’s more from Joplin health officials:

The Joplin Health Department is sad to report the deaths of two Joplin residents.

Coronavirus was listed as a significant condition contributing to these deaths. The individuals were both female, with one being age 73 and the other age 87 and were residents of Spring River Christian Village a long-term care facility
in Joplin.

The management of the facility has been working closely with the Joplin Health Department,
The State of Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Section for Long Term Care and recently
had all their staff and residents tested for the virus.

The situation continues to monitored closely.

As Joplin Health Department continues to work with residents in our community, they remind everyone
of the importance in taking self-care actions to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

These include:
• Avoid social gatherings of more than ten (10) people.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand
sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning
spray or wipe.
• Stay home if you are sick.

Older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions may be at higher risk
for more serious complications from COVID-19.

If you think, you have been exposed to COVID-19 and
develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your health care provider for
medical advice before showing up.

While COVID-19 is spread from person to person, more than 80% of the patients who develop it will only
become mildly ill.

The concern is for patients with underlying medical conditions and the elderly, who are
more likely to need hospital-level supportive care.

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to
severe illness.

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms
may have COVID-19:
• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

This list, taken from the Centers for Disease Control website, does not include all possible symptoms.

CDC will continue to update this list as they learn more about COVID-19.