Health director points to several factors in Boone County order extension

Boone County’s health director explains the reasons behind the latest extension to her health order.

Stephanie Browning told the Columbia City Council on Monday night she wants to see how the area responds to colder weather, and the return of in-person classes for Columbia elementary students.

“Seeing that uptick in hospitalizations, seeing the testing numbers down a little bit, the positivity rate creeping back up, and again some of the higher number of cases [in neighboring counties], just felt like it was wise to hold the course for a couple more weeks.”

The coronavirus restrictions are now in place until Nov. 3. Boone County bars and restaurants have to close at 10:30 p.m. Browning says she believes those regulations, and Columbia’s mask ordinance, are making a difference.

“All in all, I would say that the data supports the measures we’re keeping in place, especially while we’re seeing a rising number of cases in the surrounding counties.”