The Springfield-Greene County Health Department is letting the public know about some potential high-risk community exposures at an adult entertainment venue in Springfield.

At least four people who tested positive for COVID-19 were at Showtime Joe’s west of Sunshine and Kansas Expressway between Wednesday, September 2 and Saturday, September 12.

The workers and customers did not always wear masks.

If you were within six feet of a staff member for more than 15 minutes or had physical contact for any length of time, health officials say you should self-quarantine for two weeks from the latest date of contact.

The health department says the exposure is high-risk because of the lack of face masks and the close contact.

There were no previous mask complaints made against Showtime Joe’s.

You can see the full release from the health department below:

The Springfield-Greene County Health Department is notifying the public of potential high-risk community exposures from at least four COVID-19 positive individuals.

The individuals worked at Showtime Joe’s at 2209 W. Sunshine St. over the course of several days. These individuals and customers were inconsistently masked.  The employees worked between 5 p.m. and 1 a.m. on the following dates:

• Wednesday, September 2
• Friday, September 4
• Saturday, September 5
• Monday, September 7
• Tuesday, September 8
• Wednesday, September 9
• Friday, September 11
• Saturday, September 12

Anyone who was within six feet of a staff member for more than 15 minutes or had physical contact for any length of time on these dates should self-quarantine for 14 days from the latest date of contact.

This exposure is considered high-risk due to the lack of masking and the nature of close contact over several days. Upon learning of this situation, the Health Department and Springfield Police Department are working together to investigate. There were no previous masking complaints against this establishment.

Face masks are required in public settings within Springfield city limits.  Patrons of restaurants and/or bars must wear a face mask while seated except when eating and/or drinking. Anyone serving customers in any capacity must also wear a face covering. You can read the ordinance in its entirety here.

We all play a critical role in slowing the spread of COVID-19. Wear a face mask when in a public setting, practice physical distancing of at least six feet, practice proper hand hygiene and avoid large crowds as much as possible. If someone is sick or thinks they may be sick, they need to stay home.

COVID-19 is spread through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It spreads between people who are in close contact with one another.

Symptoms of COVID-19?include:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

If symptoms do develop, seek medical attention. You can use virtual care options to seek medical treatment without exposing others to illness. Links are available here.

The health department announced on July 17 that it would be suspending low-risk community exposure notices, but public notifications would continue to be made in cases of high-risk exposures. You can read that news release here.

For more information about COVID-19, visit our website athealth.springfieldmo.gov/coronavirus.