Stone and Taney County Health Department officials notified the public Thursday morning of an individual visiting the area while symptomatic before returning to their home county and testing positive for COVID-19.

The unidentified person visited Panera in Branson at 10 a.m. while unmasked and Silver Dollar City from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. wearing a mask Monday, according to a news release from the health departments. Each location has been notified of the exposure, but the risks of exposure are low.

“Silver Dollar City is practicing all the necessary prevention measures to protect staff and guests,” the news release stated. “Silver Dollar City requires guests and staff to wear masks as well as increased hand sanitizer stations. These prevention measures makes the risk of exposure very low.”

Those who visited these locations should monitor for symptoms. There is no need to self-quarantine or self-isolate unless symptoms develop, the news release stated.

Silver Dollar City opened its gates Saturday for the first time in 2020 after opening day was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

About 6,000 season pass holders made reservations to attend the park Saturday. A typical Saturday during the summer draws around 15,000.

Season pass holders were the first allowed in the park on Saturday and Sunday; the park opened to the general public Monday for those who make reservations. About 8,000-10,000 were expected when the park opens to everyone.

On Wednesday, Taney County Health Department announced its 27th case of COVID-19 when an investigation revealed that an individual was a contact from another case and quarantined at home prior to a positive diagnosis, according to a news release.

They did not travel anywhere and there are no close contacts to notify.

TCHD is also alerting the community regarding a symptomatic visitor, who later tested positive for COVID-19 in their home state. “We want the community to know that a visitor from out of state has also tested positive,” said Lisa Marshall, director of Taney County Health Department. “The person had symptoms during their visit and tested positive after returning home.”

Where did the patient visit before testing positive for coronavir?

Prior to being diagnosed, this person visited the following locations in Taney County:

Wednesday, June 10 

• Top of the Rock – Lost Canyon Cave & Nature Trail- 2 p.m. (masked)
• Osage Restaurant from 5:15 p.m.-dusk (masked)

Thursday, June 11

• Harter House in Hollister- morning (masked)
• Cedar Junction (CJ) General Store- morning (masked)
• State Park Marina Boat Rental- noon to 6 p.m. (masked)
• Downing Street Pour House- 7 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. (masked)

COVID-19 is spread through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It spreads between people who are in close contact with one another.

Symptoms of COVID-19 include: 

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea  

If symptoms develop, seek medical attention.     

If you are sick, you can use virtual care options to seek medical treatment without exposing others to illness. Links are available at health.springfieldmo.gov/coronavirus.  

For more information about COVID-19, visit the same website.

Inquiries from the public can be made by contacting the Health Department’s call center at 417-874-1211 or by email at [email protected]. 

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