No new deaths in Missouri have been reported since Wednesday’s announcement that a Boone County resident older than 60 had died from the virus after traveling abroad. St. Louis city reported three new cases Thursday for a total of five, and St. Louis County counts 10 cases.

The St. Louis region’s major hospital systems announced they would cancel elective procedures, effective Monday, to protect patients and caregivers from the spread of the coronavirus, and conserve resources needed for COVID-19 patients.

Parson on Thursday defended his decision to not call for more aggressive restrictions on schools and other institutions, saying he understands as a former small business owner how hard it would be to have the government force a shutdown.

“Making decisions like that is easier said than done,” Parson said. “I know how hard it can be to make a payroll.”

He noted that even without a state order, all school districts in Missouri are now closed at least temporarily as a way to slow the spread of the outbreak.

Parson signed an executive order Wednesday allowing state agencies to waive certain rules and statutes in their planning for the outbreak.

‘Got to keep going’