Still, Parson said, “The bottom line is everyone should be staying home as much as possible.”

More tests needed

St. Louis County Executive Sam Page told Missouri Health Director Randall Williams in a letter dated Wednesday that the county needs more coronavirus tests and has been hindered by the state’s strict guidelines on who can be tested and its failure to share data.

Page wrote that he understood the state’s ability to supply tests was curtailed by a nationwide shortage and a “lack of a serious federal commitment.” But he said it was disappointing when the county asked for 2,500 tests and the state responded with 25. Page said the county was exploring other avenues to obtain the tests.

Williams responded that Page’s letter was “very thoughtful, and we will do everything we can to address his concerns.” The state already loosened its guidelines for who gets tests, but Page spokesman Doug Moore said the state “needs to be more reasonable.”