Two Missouri hairstylists at the same salon have potentially directly exposed 147 people to the coronavirus after working on clients while showing symptoms for COVID-19, according to multiple media outlets including Fox News and the New York Daily News.
The Springfield-Greene Health Department announced Saturday a second stylist at a Great Clips in Springfield, Missouri, has tested positive for COVID-19.
The stylist, who worked May 16-20 “while experiencing very mild symptoms but potentially infectious,” has potentially exposed 56 clients to the virus.
»MORE: Sting operation nabs 2 after salon services offered during lockdown
“At this time, this is the only other positive result we have had from those tested as a result of the previous exposure,” the department said in a news release.
A hair stylist at the same salon exposed 91 people to the coronavirus by going into work for eight days despite showing symptoms of the illness, according to the New York Daily News.
The stylist, who was not identified, had contact with 84 customers and seven of her Great Clips coworkers, according to Clay Goddard, director of the Springfield-Greene County Health Department. The stylist worked May 12 through May 20 and tested positive for COVID-19, but the worker’s current condition is unclear.
The patient is believed to have contracted the virus while traveling in another part of the state.
»MORE: Texas Supreme Court orders salon owner's release from jail for defying virus shutdown order
Goddard during a news conference Friday emphasized a similar outbreak could place a significant amount of strain on the state’s medical facilities.
“The hair stylist worked while sick,” he said. “I’m going to be honest with you: We can’t have many more of these.”
Goddard said the stylist, other workers and customers in the salon were wearing masks.
Under Missouri’s pandemic reopening, hair salons are allowed to welcome customers.
Goddard additionally warned residents who may have recently visited some of the same locations as the stylist — including a Dairy Queen, a Walmart and a CVS pharmacy — to be on the lookout for COVID-19 symptoms and to isolate if necessary.
The co-owners of the Great Clips location told KYTV the first employee who tested positive “is following medical advice and taking appropriate actions.” The salon was closed for sanitizing and deep cleaning, but it has since reopened, they said.
Before the second employee tested positive, Goddard praised the hair cuttery’s response and said it is “safe to go there” now.
The New York Daily News and Fox News contributed to this report, which was compiled by Rich Barak of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
About the Author
