Missouri records another coronavirus case; total rises to 8

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Another case of the coronavirus has been confirmed in western Missouri, bringing the state's total to eight.

Cass County health officials announced late Monday that a patient is in self-isolation in Drexel, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Kansas City. No other information was released.

Two other new cases were announced Monday, one in St. Louis and the other in Greene County in southwest Missouri.

Also Monday, a state appeals court ruled against St. Louis County Election Board's request to move the county's April 7 election to a later date although the judges said they might reconsider.

A three-judge panel of the Missouri Court of Appeals Eastern District said the coronavirus emergency makes the the county's request for an April 28 mail-in election "the best option under the circumstances" but state law doesn't allow the court to approve such requests, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

For most people, the coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. The vast majority of people recover from the virus.

The Missouri judges also rejected the election board's alternative request to move the election to the Aug. 4 state primary election. The judges indicated they could reconsider if another date was sought.

Eric Fey, the election board's Democratic director, said the board would meet soon to consider how to respond to the decision.

The Missouri Association of County Clerks and Election Authorities on Monday were discussing moving the April 7 election to June 2.

"I understand it's up to each individual county, but it would be nice to be unified in this decision, to save confusion for the voters," said Lincoln County Clerk Crystal Hall in an email Monday to other local election officials. "We are in scary, uncertain times. The health of our poll workers and residents is our number one concern."

Hall said a draft request to the courts was being prepared by election officials in Springfield and suburban Kansas City.

Missouri law allows state appeals court panels to move an election if a "disaster" prevents one from being held.

Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft said the April 7 election is on schedule but he has an "open, ongoing dialogue" with local authorities and is "discussing different scenarios that may occur over the next several weeks."