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
Officials at the University of Kansas Health System discussed the number of patients with COVID-19 at its hospital.
On Friday morning, there were 53 patients with active infections, 17 of those were in the ICU and eight were on ventilators.
There were also 26 people in recovery.
The United States sets record for COVID-19 cases in one day with over 120,000 on Thursday
On Thursday, the United States recorded 121,888 cases of COVID-19, according to data from John Hopkins University, which was a new record.
This broke a previous record set on Wednesday which was 102,000.
According to the 41 Action News Daily COVID-19 Tracker, Missouri also broke a single-day record after reporting nearly 4,500 new cases.
Kansas records single-day state record for COVID-19 cases, deaths
According to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Kansas set a single-day record for COVID-19 cases and deaths.
The state added 5,418 cases, bringing the states total to 97,633. It also added 79 new deaths, bringing the total to 1,166.
KC Metro districts and schools continue to juggle COVID-19
The Olathe Board of Education held it's normal meeting on Thursday to discuss the spike of COVID-19 cases in Johnson County.
The board hoped to decide whether to keep its students in-person or transition to remote learning. No decision was made following the meeting.
The district follows the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment gating criteria.
On Tuesday, JDHE, moved its recommended phase for school reopening from “Orange” to “Red," following the spike in cases.
Excelsior Springs High School moved to online learning on Thursday after learning dozens of students may have been exposed to the virus.
The Excelsior Springs School District said the exposure may have happened at Halloween parties.
The district said 150 students and several staff members are in quarantine after they came into contact with individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19.
Gov. Mike Parson says COVID-19 vaccine in Missouri is 'progressing rapidly'
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson said a COVID-19 vaccine is "progressing rapidly" Thursday in a weekly COVID-19 press briefing.
Multiple vaccines are in production and being tested in large-scale "phase three" trials at the Pfizer facility in Chesterfield, Missouri, according to Parson.
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Director Dr. Randall William previously said a vaccine is not likely to be available to the general public until April of next year.
Local restaurant owner sees success despite COVID-19 challenges
The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on many business owners nationwide and in the Kansas City area.
Despite this, David Hendrix, the owner of Kate’s Kitchen in Kansas City, Missouri, and Ronnie’s Restaurant in Lenexa, Kansas has been able to stay afloat due to customer loyalty.
Hendrix said customers who regularly ate breakfast at the restaurants several days a week before the pandemic have returned.
Health officials give advice on how to safely celebrate Thanksgiving
With Thanksgiving just a few weeks away,health officials say there are certain things to keep in mind as people celebrate with their families.
Doctors say 10 people or fewer is best for gatherings. Tables should be spaced out and families should eat within their own individual households. Masks should be worn the entire time except when eating.
Special session to consider $1.2B for virus began Thursday
A special session to ensure $1.2 billion in federal COVID-19 is properly distributed in Missouri began Thursday at the state Capitol in Jefferson City.
Gov. Mike Parson called the special session so Lawmakers can authorize his administration to spend the federal funding before the December deadline.
St. Louis area election worker dies, had tested positive for COVID-19
A St. Charles, Missouri, poll worker who worked on Election Night died and had previously tested positive for COVID-19.
According to St. Charles County Department of Public Health and the St. Charles County Election Authority, the worker tested positive for the virus on Oct. 30.
It's not clear if the worker died as a result of the virus.
Americans seeking unemployment benefits remains at an all-time high
About 751,000 Americans are still seeking unemployment benefits which is a historically high number.
Before the pandemic began, the weekly figure had remained below 300,000 for more than five straight years.
—
Find more coronavirus news and resources from 41 Action News here.
