A hairstylist in Missouri could have spread Covid-19 up to 91 people because the stylist continued to work while symptomatic as an increasing number of states around the United States have begun easing lockdown measures and opening up businesses.
Clay Goddard, a local health authority, announced that this particular stylist has gave haircuts to 84 different customers. Her coworkers are also considered to be at higher risk. Officials explained that the stylist worked from May 12 to May 20th, a period in which hair salons were allowed to operate.
CNN reports that the Springfield – Greene County Health Department will contact the 84 customers individually and test them. In the same announcement, the officials said that the infected stylist and all their customers were wearing face masks.
The department went on to say that they hope the face coverings will mean that the virus failed to spread from the stylist to the clients. Without revealing any additional information on the stylist, the officials did say that it was easy tracking down the stylist because the individual kept good records.
However, Goddard said potential community infections like this cannot continue to happen. CNN explained that this was the official’s way of inferring that there is not enough resources to conducts tests should more instances like this one continue to occur.
A detailed timeline of the stylist in question was released to the public. Most of them were regular destinations such as the local Walmart and a local Dairy Queen. Officials advised anyone who visited those places to be on the lookout for any symptoms of Covid-19.
Goddard went on to praise the follow-up efforts that Great Clips, the salon in question, took after the information was relayed to them. He said that he personally considers the salon a safe place to visit.
A spokesperson for Great Clips told CNN affiliate KYTV that providing a safe and sanitized environment for their customers has always been of utmost priority to the salon.
The US continues to struggle with the novel coronavirus that originated in Wuhan, China. As of this writing, more than 1.6 million Americans have tested positive for Covid-19, with 96,000 deaths. In Missouri, 12,000 have tested positive and more than 600 have died.
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Replaced!