JEFFERSON CITY – After a call to action to prevent the spread of the coronavirus from state Auditor Nicole Galloway, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s call to limit public gatherings to no more than 50 people, Gov. Mike Parson followed suit.

“As we are all aware, concerns over COVID-19 continue to grow across the state and the nation. In accordance with CDC recommendations, my administration and I strongly urge the cancellation or suspension of public gatherings of 50 individuals or more with the exception of educational institutions, daycare facilities and business operations,” Parson stated Sunday. “We encourage local governments and health agencies to provide the same guidance.”

To start the week, more than 125 Missourians had been tested for the virus that causes COVID-19; five had tested positive. In Kansas, eight people had tested positive for the virus and one person, a nursing home resident, had died.

Galloway on Monday called on Parson to activate a COVID-19 response command center to increase the flow of information to Missourians about the state’s pandemic response. Governors across the country are providing daily updates on testing results and emergency response planning.