Nearly a year ago, Joplin, Missouri held the distinction of the highest percentage of Covid 19 case growth rate in the US. On Monday night, the Joplin City Council decided not to move forward in their response and recovery plan. KRPS’s Fred Fletcher-Fierro has more.

According to Dartmouth’s Covid 19 on this date 1 year ago today, Joplin was ranked 21st in the US for the highest weekly growth rate in the country. Nearby Springdale and Fort Smith, Arkansas were ranked first and second. Although the city’s mask mandates have expired and the health orders rescinded, members of the Joplin City Council are still debating whether to move into the next phase of the response and recovery plan.

Councilmember Chuck Copple says now is not the time as Covid cases are rising again. “Sir, I absolutely disagree with that move. In the last week, we’ve gone from three Joplin residents to 10 Joplin residents in hospitals. And we’ve gone from 12 patients to 40 patients area-wide in our hospitals, so I think the timing on that would be absolutely horrible.” Covid 19 vaccine shots are available today at the Joplin Health Department from 9 am until 11:30. And from 1:30 pm until 4. The vaccines are free and no appointment is required.