New cases of COVID-19 in Joplin are up nearly 50% two weeks after Thanksgiving. KRPS’s Fred Fletcher-Fierro has more.

According to data Wednesday on AllThingsMissouri.org provided by the Joplin Health Department new cases of the coronavirus are up 49.68% two weeks after family and friends gathered together to celebrate Thanksgiving. To 183 Joplin residents have died due to the coronavirus since the pandemic reached the city last March.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services continues to offer free testing including every Tuesday at Mother’s Brewing Company in Springfield. And today in Joplin at the Joseph Newman Innovation Center North Parking Lot 407, on Pennsylvania Ave. The testing site is located across the street from the Joplin Health Department. Prior registration is not required nor is a government issued photo ID. The Free COVID testing sites in Springfield every Tuesday and in Joplin every Thursday are open 10 am until 6 pm. For more information visit health.mo.gov/communitytest For 89 9 KRPS, I’m Fred Fletcher-Fierro