As part of the Springfield-Greene County Health Department’s duty to protect the public’s health, it is informing of potential COVID-19 exposure in the community.

The warning involves the county's fourth case of COVID-19.

"There is a need for public warning on the activities and that the international travelers who visited this city and the impending case could have put members of the public at risk," said Springfield-Greene County Health Department Director, Clay Goddard.

People at locations on these dates below are at low risk for contracting COVID-19, but should monitor for symptoms. There is no need to self-quarantine or isolate unless symptoms develop.

LOCATIONS:

On Thursday, March 5, the international travelers and our fourth case had lunch in the upstairs area of Bruno’s Italian Restaurant. They then shopped at Branson Landing.

On Friday, March 6, the international travelers had breakfast at Hemingway’s and shopped at Bass Pro.

On Thursday, March 12, the case had a dinner meeting in a private room at Ocean Zen.

On Friday, March 13, the case had lunch at Big Biscuit on South Campbell.

"If you were in those facilities at the same time as these individuals your risk remains very low," he said.

Although there are rumors to the contrary, all involved patients report not going to church services during this timeframe.

"If we learn more we will evaluate what information is needed to be transmitted to the public to protect the public's health," explained Goddard.

COVID-19 is spread through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It spreads between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet). People are thought to be most contagious when they are most symptomatic. Some spread is possible before people show symptoms, but it is not thought that this is the main way the virus is transmitted. It is also not thought that touching a surface or object that has the virus on it is the main way the virus spreads.