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 update
Doctors at the University of Kansas Health System said it will be “critical” to prevent the spread of COVID-19 over the holidays.
KU Health chief medical officer Dr. Steven Stites said the virus is more prevalent in the community now than it was before Thanksgiving, which is cause for concern.
He encouraged everyone to take appropriate precautions to prevent a spike in cases.
Doctors are treating 73 patients with acute COVID-19 infections at KU Health.
Of those, 28 are in the intensive care unit and 20 on ventilators.
Sixty-six patients are in recovery phases, 10 of whom are also on ventilators.
Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of infection prevention, said the numbers are “not as good as we would like … but certainly better than we thought we would be a couple weeks ago,” after Thanksgiving.
Missouri distributes 23,000 vaccines; 1st phase to take 'several weeks'
Missouri has distributed more than 23,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines to front line health care workers and residents and staff of long-term care facilities.
With more than 450,000 of the state's residents falling into those categories of the state's "Phase 1A" of vaccination, distribution to that group is expected to take several weeks.
Thousands more COVID-19 vaccines expected in Kansas as state gets handle on virus spread
Kansas expects to receive 37,500 more doses of the COVID-19 vaccines next week, Gov. Laura Kelly said. The state received more than 66,000 doses this week.
Kelly said the state will get 17,500 doses of the Pfizer vaccine that will go to long-term care residents and staff. Moderna will send 20,000 more doses next week, which will be used for health care workers.
Unemployed Kansans have less than a week to apply for supplemental program
Kansans already claiming unemployment benefits have just a few days left to apply for the federal Lost Wages Assistance program to receive a supplemental $300 weekly.
Holidays challenging for Kansans waiting on unemployment
The holidays are proving to be an even more stressful time for those struggling to make other payments, let alone buy gifts. Thankfully, groups have risen to the occasion to help unemployed Kansans in need this Christmas.
KC metro renters, advocates say eviction-ban extension not enough
The new stimulus package, if signed into law, will provide renters facing eviction a little more time to figure out what to do.
Kansas Citians, however, say one month is not enough time for some people to catch up on months of payments.
Independent movie theaters, live venues get help from stimulus package
Another group that would benefit from the new stimulus package is movie theaters and live event venue owners.
The package includes $15 billion to help the struggling entertainment industry.
Choose function over fashion when it comes to face masks
While there are loads of fashionable face masks on the market thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, doctors say it's important to choose one that works properly, regardless of aesthetic.
Important things to look for include making sure the mask fits snugly, it's made of two to three layers of breathable, tightly-woven fabric, and doesn't have vents or valves unless those components contain filters.
—
Find more coronavirus news and resources from 41 Action News here.
