Missouri reports confirming another 1,027 COVID-19 cases

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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo (AP) -- Missouri health officials reported another 1,027 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Monday, continuing a trend of nearly 1,000 new cases every day since last week.

The exception was Sunday, when the state recorded 475 confirmed cases. The state's data was delayed during the weekend as health department officials moved the numbers from an old surveillance system to a new one, and health officials said Monday that another 1,073 cases were confirmed Saturday.

Six COVID-19 deaths were confirmed during the weekend and none on Monday. Since the pandemic began, Missouri has confirmed 59,954 cases and 1,307 deaths.

The number of infections is believed to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and experts believe people can have the virus without feeling sick.

On Monday, St. Louis County health officials said they planned to survey 5,000 randomly selected residents and test them for the coronavirus. The study is planned to help health officials understand racial disparities in public health, identify risk factors for COVID-19 and educate about preventative measures that could be taken, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

County Executive Dr. Sam Page said people who take the 30-minute survey can opt out of the testing, which will be offered for free.