(KMOX)-A day after Missouri Governor Mike Parson rejected Metropolitan Task Force Incident Commander Dr. Alex Garza's plea to enact a statewide mask mandate, the state reported over 6,000 new COVID-19 cases for only the second time.
Missouri Health Department officials say 6,346 new cases were confirmed Friday, the second highest single-day total during the pandemic.
Among those cases, are 170 in Franklin County including 14 teenagers, and six pre-teens including a three year old.
In response to Garza's plea, Parson's spokeswoman issued a statement reading in part: "It is imperative that Missourians take personal responsibility and social distance, wear a mask, practice personal hygiene, and limit their gatherings, Governor Parson has been very clear and consistent about his support for local control. Every individual MUST take action to minimize the spread of COVID-19.”
The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 11,028 newly confirmed cases on Saturday, including 166 additional deaths. Sixty-six of those deaths were recorded Friday, but there was a data delay so they were included in Saturday's numbers. Among those who died from the virus are women in their 50's, 60's and 70's in Madison County, two women in their 90's and a man in his 90's in Monroe County and a woman in her 60's and a woman in her 60's in Randolph County.
Monroe County reported a single-day record of 86 cases on Saturday. While that county has seen outbreaks in at least two nursing home, none of the new cases were in long-term care facilities.
The Monroe County cities of Waterloo and Columbia are closing their city halls due to the outbreak.
St. Clair County is closing its courthouse to the public beginning Monday. The county seat of Belleville is closing all city buildings as of Monday.
In neighboring Madison County, Edwardsville will be closing city hall, the public library and public works offices on Monday. The city is also asking residents to work from home if possible, participate only in essential activities and limit travel.
The Illinois Secretary of State announced Friday that driver services facilities across the state will close Tuesday and reopen on Dec. 7.
In the city of St. Louis, 22nd Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Rex Burlison, citing nine cases among staff and a grand juror, suspended jury trials through the end of the year.