No new COVID-19 cases after infected Missouri hairstylists worked with over 140. How?

By Chacour Koop of the Ledger Enquirer.

"Missouri health officials discovered no new coronavirus cases after two infected hairstylists served dozens of clients at a Great Clips hair salon.

The Springfield-Greene County Health Department says the incubation period has passed after the hairstylists worked on 140 people at the location in Springfield. Six coworkers also were potentially exposed.

“This is exciting news about the value of masking to prevent COVID-19,” Health Director Clay Goddard said in a news release. “We are studying more closely the details of these exposures, including what types of face coverings were worn and what other precautions were taken to lead to this encouraging result.”

Read more here: https://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/coronavirus/article243395651.html#storylink=cpy

A hairstylist at the Great Clips at 1864 S. Glenstone Ave. served 84 clients while symptomatic. The hairstylist infected a coworker, who worked with 56 clients.

Health officials said the hairstylists and all clients wore face masks during appointments, likely preventing spread of the disease. They credited Great Clips’ policies, including distancing salon chairs and staggering appointments.

The health department also offered testing to all potentially exposed to COVID-19 and remained in contact throughout the incubation period. All 46 people tested returned negative results, officials said. Additionally, everyone potentially exposed was quarantined and the health department called them twice a day to monitor symptoms, a spokeswoman told McClatchy News."