COLUMBIA – Health leaders report COVID-19 cases rose significantly in Clay and Ray counties during the last two weeks of May. During the period of May 14 through May 28, the number of cases in Ray County increased by seven, from 12 to 19 cases. The growth rate is 58.3%. In the same period, the number of cases in Clay County increased by 51, from 111 to 162, or 46%. Gov. Mike Parson delayed his Phase I recovery plan’s transition to Phase II by two weeks. He had planned to ease Phase I restrictions on May 31, but changed the date to Monday, June 15. The move followed an overall increase in Missouri coronavirus cases. On April 6, Missouri reported a one-day spike of 355 new coronavirus cases. Ups and down followed – mostly trending down until May 4, when the state charted another one-day spike of 322 cases, with still another one-day spike of 275 cases May 17. The trend line since then has remained up and down, ranging from 140 and 190 new cases per day. Missouri had recorded more…