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ST. LOUIS — Organized events of more than 1,000 people in the city of ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ will be prohibited indefinitely to limit the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, city leaders announced Thursday.

The ban came shortly before Gov. Mike Parson announced that a second person in Missouri has tested positive for coronavirus, this one in Greene County in southwestern Missouri. A Ladue woman who recently returned to ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ County after studying abroad in Italy was the state’s first confirmed case.

ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Mayor Lyda Krewson declared the coronavirus a public health emergency in the city Thursday and said canceling events was necessary to inhibit potential spread of the virus.

Although the city has no confirmed cases, the extent that the virus may be present here is unknown because testing has been limited. The pattern of COVID-19’s reach in other other areas shows “that this virus has been spreading very rapidly,� she said.

�This is a pretty devastating situation for many of our businesses and many of our workers,� she said at a news conference with area public safety and health officials. “We did not make this decision lightly,� she added.

Krewson’s decision mirrors those of leaders canceling large events across the country, including Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker who banned all public events with more than 1,000 people statewide for 30 days, beginning Thursday. He urged organizers to call off all gatherings of more than 250 people.

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas also declared a state of emergency Thursday and banned events with more than 1,000 people in his city.

ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ County Executive Sam Page is consulting with county health officials on whether to enact a similar ban, Page’s chief of staff, Winston Calvert, said Thursday.

Though the true extent of the virus is not clear because testing has been limited, nationally at least 1,500 people in 45 states and Washington, D.C., have tested positive for the coronavirus, according to a New York Times database; at least 39 patients with the virus have died.

There have been several known cases in Missouri’s neighboring states. Kansas reported four cases of COVID-19 Thursday evening, all in Johnson County near Kansas City and the Missouri border. Illinois had 32 known cases of coronavirus as of Thursday evening, though some patients have recovered since the start of the outbreak.

Fredrick Echols, head of the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Health Department, said a confirmed case in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ was likely in the near future. “It’s really not a case of if, but when,â€� he said.

As of Thursday, three people in the city had tested negative for the virus, Echols said. Meanwhile, about 20 people across the city and county have been placed under self-quarantine, he said.

Each person, Echols said, either recently had traveled to an area with confirmed cases, or had been exposed to an individual who tested positive for the virus.

‘City is prepared’

Shortly after Krewson announced the ban, several popular event spaces across the city canceled or postponed dozens of events through April.

Earlier this week, universities across the region called off in-person classes and extended spring breaks. Small events at libraries and businesses have been canceled, as have major ones such as St. Patrick’s Day parades.

The ban set Thursday in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ exempts religious events, as well as regular activities at buildings where more than 1,000 people gather for school or work, Echols said.

ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Public Schools students will take spring break next week as scheduled, said Public Safety Director Jimmie Edwards. If the break is extended, the city has plans to provide meals to children who depend on school breakfasts and lunches.

Krewson on Thursday morning directed the city water department not to shut off water to any business or residence for the next 60 days to ensure people will be able to wash their hands as recommended by public health officials. The order does not affect billing.

The city also placed hand-washing stations throughout downtown ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ on Thursday for those without access to soap and water, she said.

The actions are among a list of precautionary measures carried out by ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ police and firefighters, jail supervisors, courts officials and health workers in coordination with schools, businesses and institutions. Regional cooperation included activating the Unified Health Command, an emergency response task force across 18 area jurisdictions prepared to respond full time to coronavirus outbreaks.

ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ health department workers are establishing emergency plans with city organizations and building managers, Echols said.

The city’s jails will limit visits to two days a week, Edwards said. But inmates will only be allowed sit-down visits with their attorneys, he said.

City courts will remain open for now, with a focus on more high-profile cases, said Presiding Judge Rex Burlison. Residents are expected to show up for jury duty if they have a summons, though potential jurors will be asked if they have any symptoms similar to COVID-19. Those without symptoms will be separated at 6-foot intervals in the courthouse, and the courthouse will be deep cleaned.

Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson said paramedics would ask callers a series of questions to determine not only a patient’s risk for the virus, but also the risk to themselves. The department has been getting eight to 10 calls a day from people exhibiting symptoms of the flu, he said.

“We’re not going to rush into the home and touch somebody to feel how warm they are,� he said.

Jenkerson sought to reassure ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ residents. The department is looking for evidence of residents contracting coronavirus; ambulances and paramedics are well supplied, he said.

“The city is prepared for this,� Jenkerson said. “I am very confident … we will get through this.�

Event cancellations and postponements announced Thursday include:

• Chaifetz Arena postponed all events through April 30.

• Edward Jones canceled 15 events at the company’s sites through the end of May.

• The Fabulous Fox Theatre postponed performances and tours through March 31.

The Convention and Visitors Commission was working closely with partners and clients affected by the city’s event ban, spokesman Anthony Paraino said. The organization promotes conventions and tourism in ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ and ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ County and runs America’s Center Convention Complex, which includes the Dome at America’s Center.

â€�At Explore ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½, our first priority is the health, safety, and well-being of everyone visiting or attending an event that is held in our community,â€� Paraino said in a statement. “We certainly understand and respect the decision by the City of ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ in restricting large events of 1,000 people.â€�

Taylor Tiamoyo Harris of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.