KANSAS CITY, Mo. — 41 Action News is offering a daily recap of COVID-19 related stories from across Kansas City and the country. Check back every morning for the latest developments.
LATEST: COVID-19 case tracker for Missouri, Kansas and Kansas City
University of Kansas Health System daily update
During Wednesday's update from the University of Kansas Health System, doctors said they have 29 patients in the hospital with active COVID-19 infection. Of those, 11 are in the ICU, and seven are on the ventilator. Another 33 patients are in COVID-19 recovery in the hospital but are not considered actively infected.
Guests Dr. Becky Lowry, of Internal, General and Geriatric Medicine, and Dr. Ravi Sabapahty, PsyD at Advent Health, gave updates on frontline workers’ state of mind and how others can support them.
Blue Springs to help pay delinquent bills
Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, staff at the Community Services League have been helping four times the number of individuals at its Blue Springs office. And on Monday, the Blue Springs City Council allocated $250,000 of its federal CARES Act funding to the organization.
The funds must be used to help residents pay delinquent rent, mortgages or utility bills.
Right to vote outweighs mask requirement in Kansas City
Election officials in several Kansas City area counties said voters who won't wear a mask at the polls on Election Day will not be turned away. Election workers will be required to wear masks and voters are strongly encouraged to comply with mask mandates, but voting is a constitutional right.
Red Bridge library reopens after COVID-19 exposure
The Mid-Continent Public Library's Red Bridge Branch is back open after a staff member tested positive for COVID-19. The branch closed on Oct. 19 for contact tracing and deep cleaning. The library is resuming curbside and in-branch technology services.
More U.S. citizens dying than usual due to COVID-19 pandemic
A new report shows that the U.S. has seen 300,000 more deaths than usual since the coronavirus pandemic began. Usually, between the beginning of February and the end of September, about 1.9 million deaths are reported. This year, it’s closer to 2.2 million.
United Kingdom to start unique COVID-19 vaccine trial
The United Kingdom says it will be the first to conduct a COVID-19 vaccine human trial. People will be deliberately infected with the virus to speed up research. If it's approved it will begin in January.
Older workers disproportionately affected by pandemic unemployment
According to the Associated Press, for the first time in nearly 50 years, older workers face higher unemployment than their midcareer counterparts, according to a study released Tuesday by the New School University in New York City.
Researchers found that during its course, workers 55 and older lost jobs sooner, were rehired slower and continue to face higher job losses than their counterparts ages 35 to 54.
