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
Doctors at the University of Kansas Health System are treating 70 patients with COVID-19 as of Tuesday.
Of those, 33 are suffering from acute infections, 11 are in the intensive care unit and six on ventilators.
Thirty-seven patients are recovering from the illness.
Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Dr. Lee Norman joined the doctors on Tuesday’s broadcast.
He said 88% of nursing home and long-term care residents and staff have received the vaccine.
Statewide, Norman said more than 514,000 of 645,000 doses Kansas has received have been administered.
MU researcher 'not surprised' to discover U.K. variant in wastewater
While only one case of the B.1.1.7 COVID-19 variant has been confirmed in Missouri, researchers at the University of Missouri have discovered evidence of the variant in 13 wastewater systems statewide.
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services said the evidence shows the variant is present in the state, though not prevalent.
Comeback KC to help roll out COVID-19 vaccine around Kansas City
A group that created useful tools for Kansas City-area residents throughout the pandemic is now hoping it can help with vaccine rollout in the area.
The group hopes to launch a "vaccine van" in March and go door-to-door to vaccinate people.
Kansas Department of Labor to look for new unemployment system
The Kansas Department of Labor has been plagued with problems due to an increased number of unemployment claims during the pandemic and its antiquated system.
Monday, Gov. Laura Kelly and acting KDOL Secretary Amber Shultz announced the department will begin looking at bids for a new unemployment system by summertime.
Kelly said modernizing the system, which has been in place since Jimmy Carter was president, will help the state be more prepared for current and future crises.
Platte County eases COVID-19 restrictions, citing 'consistency throughout the Northland'
Platte County became the latest area jurisdiction to ease some of its COVID-19 restrictions Monday.
The health department said since COVID-19 cases have been dropping consistently since January in its community, it is lifting operation restrictions on bars, restaurants and taverns, as well as lifting gathering limits so long as people follow masking and social distancing protocols.
After COVID-19, athletes at lower risk for developing myocarditis than originally thought
Athletes are at a lower risk of developing a serious condition after COVID-19 than initially thought, doctors at the Saint Luke's Health System said research shows.
Some early research indicated athletes could be at an increased risk for developing myocarditis post-COVID-19 than non-athletes.
Myocarditis is a condition that affects the heart and can lead to heart failure or even sudden death.
KC metro family reflects on saxophonist, minister as COVID-19 death toll hits 500K
A family that lost one of its members to COVID-19 after he contracted it at one of the first hotspots in the Kansas City area reflected on his life.
Brandon McCray was a noted gospel saxophonist and minister who recorded six albums. His brother, Jarius Jones, offered advice to other families dealing with loss from COVID-19.
"Don't focus on the disease itself, as being what took their loved one out of this world, but focus on the fact that they conquered life," Jones said.
KC metro COVID-19 survivor reflects on health journey
The United States marked a grim milestone this week — more than 500,000 people have died from COVID-19.
Survivors in the Kansas City area, who spent weeks on ventilators and months in recovery, said the sobering number is yet another reminder of the odds they beat.
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