The patient was initially hospitalized in Clinton, MO before being taken on March 8 to a hospital in Kansas where a specimen was collected for testing and where the patient died weeks later.
Local health department officials worked with the hospital in Clinton and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to identify close contacts of the patient to monitor for symptoms and contain the spread.
The patient was William “Al” Grimes who served as the Chairman for the Henry County Democratic Committee and was active in Democratic Clubs and campaigns through Missouri’s 4th Congressional District and was a proud U.S. Navy Veteran. He ran for State Representative in Missouri’s 57th House District in 2014 and 2016.
“Henry County, MO would like to extend our sympathies and condolences to his entire family.
Ten other deaths have been reported in Missouri with a total of 838 reported positive cases as of Saturday, according to DHSS. The health department said it is possible that other circumstances caused or contributed to the deaths of these individuals. To date there are no other Positive Cases in Henry County, MO