'Nearly half of (Missouri) counties have not reported positive (COVID-19) cases.
While Missouri's stay-at-home order has expired, cases have been closely monitored to see whether the state is flattening the curve. Some cities, like Columbia and St. Louis, have extended their stay-at-home regulations. In a reflection of how the state has been responding to the pandemic, state House Rep. Louis Riggs, R-Hannibal, said on April 21: 'Thankfully, we have seen success to date, as nearly half of our counties have not reported positive cases.' Riggs' estimate was more than a little off. Cases by county Data from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services on that day show 20 counties without any positive cases, or 18% of 114 counties. The state passed the halfway mark three weeks earlier, on March 30. Riggs said what he should have said was, 'nearly 20% with zero cases and half with less than 10,' which would be accurate. As of May 11, 15 counties have not reported any cases of COVID-19.
Our ruling Riggs said on April 21, 'nearly half of our counties have not reported positive cases.' Half would be a sharp rounding up from 18%. Because Riggs' estimate included counties that did not fall into the correct category we rate his claim False.