Second hairstylist with COVID-19 may have exposed 56 clients, Missouri officials say

A second hairdresser working at Great Clips in Springfield, Missouri, has tested positive for COVID-19 and has potentially exposed the virus to clients, Missouri health officials said.

The Springfield-Greene County Health Department said on Saturday that a second stylist tested positive for the coronavirus and worked from May 16 to May 20 while having “very mild symptoms” but was “potentially infectious,” according to a press release.

“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 wrote in the release.

The stylist potentially exposed 56 clients and all those involved were wearing face coverings, according to the department. The clients will be alerted by the Health Department and offered COVID-19 testing, according to the release.

A Great Clips hairdresser at the same location tested positive, served 84 clients, and exposed seven co-workers, the department announced Friday, according to McClatchy News. The first stylist also went to a Walmart, Dairy Queen, and a fitness center, according to officials.

Missouri leaders allowed salons and barber shops to reopen May 4.

The Great Clips franchise owners told McClatchy News on Friday that the location is closed for sanitization and “deep cleaning” adhering to guidelines by the CDC and the county health department.

“The well-being of Great Clips customers and stylists in the salon is our top priority and proper sanitization has always been an important cosmetology industry practice for Great Clips salons,” the owners said.

Springfield-Greene County Health Department Director Clay Goddard said Great Clips was safe for customers during a news conference on Friday.

“We are hopeful that their strictly-enforced policy of masking will prevent any future spread from this case. They also kept detailed records that have made contact tracing a speedy process,” Goddard said.

There were 682 confirmed deaths from COVID-19 in Missouri as of May 23, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. More than 96,000 people have died in the U.S.

This story was originally published May 23, 2020 at 3:55 PM with the headline "Second hairstylist with COVID-19 may have exposed 56 clients, Missouri officials say."