On Monday, the Joplin health department reported the highest number of new Covid-19 cases in the city since the first week of the year. KRPS’s Fred Fletcher-Fierro has more.

Yesterday, the health department reported 54 new cases. It’s the highest number of new cases on a single day in the city since it reported 74 on Thursday, January 7 of this year. The bounce in new cases reported on Monday is a part of a trend that has seen new Covid cases in Joplin increase by nearly 70% in the past two weeks according to AllThingsMissouri.org.

Mayor Pro Tem Kenan Cortez speaking at Monday night Joplin City Council meeting. “I don’t think we’re anywhere near the end of the pandemic. I think we’re still in the middle of it. I think we’re still getting people that are sick. And I think that it is only smart of every citizen in Joplin to do everything they can to make sure that they are doing everything they can to protect themselves.” Any Missouri resident over the age of 12 is eligible to receive a Covid 19 vaccine at no charge. Visit Covidvaccine.mo.gov for more information.