July 24, 2020

By Kayla Parker
Communications Specialist, PIO

JACKSON COUNTY, MO (July 24, 2020) – Through the investigation of several positive COVID-19 cases, the Jackson County Health Department identified five confirmed positive cases associated with a large gathering on July 10. Additionally, three symptomatic individuals were tested and are waiting for results.

The party took place in the Lee’s Summit Lakewood neighborhood. There were approximately 100-200 people in attendance, most of whom were high school students between the ages of 14 and 16. The party did not have a complete guest list, so identifying those possibly exposed has
been challenging.

At this time, we believe students from the following schools may have been attendance at this event:
● Truman High School
● Blue Springs High School
● Blue Springs South High School
● Grain Valley High School
● Lee’s Summit North High School
● Lee’s Summit West High School

We are releasing this information in order to notify individuals in attendance of this gathering of possible exposure. Since it has been almost two weeks since the gathering, we recommend everyone in attendance get tested. Asymptomatic individuals can still be carriers of the virus and pass it along to those at high risk.

A testing clinic is being scheduled on Monday from 12 – 3 p.m. to facilitate testing for those who attended this event. If you or someone you know was in attendance, please email [email protected] to request a registration link.
If an individual tests positive and has symptoms, they can be around others after:
● At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared and
● At least 24 hours have passed since last fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and
● Symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath) have improved
If an individual tests positive and has no symptoms, they can be around others after:
● At least 10 days have passed since the date of the individual’s first positive COVID-19 diagnostic test, assuming that individual has not subsequently developed symptoms since the first positive test.

Contact tracing is an important step in preventing transmission to others in our community.

If you are contacted by the Jackson County Health Department about your exposure to COVID-19, please answer or return the call. Under the current phase, gatherings are limited to 100 people. As we navigate the pandemic, it’s important to practice preventive measures such as social distancing, wearing a mask, and frequently washing hands.

The Jackson County Health Department’s mission is to offer services, provide programs, and advocate for policies so that all people have a fair and just opportunity to be healthy. Find more information about how the health department is fostering a community where all people can live
their healthiest lives at https://jacohd.org.