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
The University of Kansas Health System on Friday reported another drop in active COVID-19 patients, with 50 people hospitalized with active infections. Among those patients, 10 are in the ICU and eight are on ventilators. The hospital also has 55 patients in recovery phases.
On Friday’s call, University of Kansas Health System doctors were joined by Amanda Cackler, director of quality and safety, to answer questions from the community. The Community Blood Center also provided an update, saying that blood supply in the metro has improved.
The doctors also discussed two new vaccines from Novavax and Johnson & Johnson, as well as vaccination rates among health system employees.
KCPS students set to return to classrooms
Kansas City, Missouri, Public Schools said Friday that it plans to bring students back to their classrooms in March after staff receive vaccinations next month.
Students in some grades will return on March 15, with other grade levels to return two days later.
The district expects staff to begin receiving their vaccines next month, and the plan for students to return depends on the date of the vaccinations. If staff is not vaccinated until later in February, students will not return until after spring break.
Johnson County to begin vaccinating new groups next week
Johnson County plans to begin vaccinating K-12 teachers and people 65 and older next week. Officials with the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment said initially, about 1,900 doses will be available for teachers.
The county also will work with Olathe Medical Center and AdventHealth to administer vaccines for those 65 and older. This week, the county had focused on vaccinating residents ages 80 and older.
Johnson County also said Thursday that it has made changes to its vaccine clinics after many senior citizens were stuck waiting outside in the cold earlier this week.
KCMO council votes to create vaccine task force
The Kansas City, Missouri, City Council on Thursday voted to create a task force that will determine the best ways to distribute vaccines in the city. An emphasis will be made on ensuring vaccines are made available to underserved and minority communities.
The task force, which will be comprised of members selected by Mayor Quinton Lucas, should provide initial recommendations to the city within the next 30 days.
Johnson County keeps some restrictions in place
The Johnson County Board of County Commissioners on Thursday voted to extend some restrictions related to gathering limits and operating hours for bars and restaurants.
The extension keeps in place the midnight closing time for bars and restaurants. Gatherings must remain limited to 50 people or 50% of a building’s capacity, whichever is less.
The board voted on the extension following a two-hour discussion on Thursday morning.
Missouri lawmakers mistakenly get vaccine
Some Missouri lawmakers and their staff received initial doses of the COVID-19 vaccine that were intended for other state employees.
House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, said the confusion highlights problems with the vaccine distribution in the state.
"Even folks in Jefferson City don't know what's going on," she said. "The rollout has been ridiculous, and it's messy and we need some clear direction on how Missouri's going to get out of this.”
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