KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, continues to spread across the world, and in Missouri and Kansas.
41 Action News is keeping track of all closings and cancellations, as well as tracking where positive coronavirus cases are located.
We are also keeping track of which metro jurisdictions are under stay at home orders for the foreseeable future, only allowing for essential business and activities.
We've also compiled a detailed list of school district meal service options while schools are closed.
If you are a business finding unique ways to serve our community, check our KC Open for Business Facebook group to share your ideas.
Updates on the spread of the virus and how it is affecting the metro can be found below for April 2.
8:15 p.m. | Chiefs fans waited 50 years between Super Bowl victories, so one local beer company is hoping those same fans won't mind a few more weeks of waiting for its Chiefs championship-inspired imperial red ale. Boulevard Brewing Co. announced Thursday on social media it has "decided to wait a little longer on Worth the Wait, ensuring that we release this beer in a more celebratory (and safe) stage of life."
7:13 p.m. | The Kansas City, Missouri, Fire Department has confirmed eight firefighters have tested positive for COVID-19 and another 95 of KCFD's 1,300 firefighters are in various stages of quarantine, including one firefighter whose almost set to return to work.
A KCFD spokesman said the department believes its firefighters were exposed through patient contact as there is no evidence of community transmission at any fire stations. The COVID-19 quarantines have not created staffing issues for KCFD.
6:39 p.m. | Abuelo's Mexican Restaurant in Zona Rosa is permanently closed, 41 Action News has learned. Shuttered by the stay-at-home orders, a representative confirmed Thursday that the Kansas City location would not reopen.
5:44 p.m. | The Kansas City area will receive $51 million in federal money "to help public transportation systems ... respond to the COVID-19 pandemic," the U.S. Department of Transportation announced Thursday. The money is part of the $25 billion appropriation from the CARES Act, which provides economic relief amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
It will be used for transportation needs on both sides of the state line, according to a USDOT spokesman.
5:10 p.m. | Northland Neighborhoods Inc. announced a partnership with KC Parks to offer free meals at three locations while school is out.
No school ID is required and all children 18 years old or younger can receive a free hot lunch and snack to-go on weekdays at the following locations and times:
- Kansas City North Community Center, 3920 N.E. Antioch Road, noon to 2 p.m.
- Gregg Klice Community Center, 1600 John Buck O'Neil Way, 1 to 3 p.m.
- Southeast Community Center, 4201 E. 63rd St., noon to 2 p.m.
For more information, call 1-800-825-0490.
4:50 p.m. | U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Thursday that he is committing to releasing stimulus checks that Congress approved within the next two weeks.
4:15 p.m. | Lee's Summit Parks and Recreation says it will close all dog parks, sand volleyball courts and the skate park at Lea McKeighan Park beginning April 3 until further notice.
3:35 p.m. | The Kansas City, Missouri, Health Department said Thursday that a woman in her 70s has died from COVID-19 complications. Her death is the first in the city, and the 13th in the greater metro area.
3:31 p.m. | Unemployment was a focus for both Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly and Missouri Gov. Mike Parson Thursday during their respective daily briefings.
Both governors urged residents to be patient as their systems and departments coped with the large influx of applications.
In Kansas, the Department of Labor reported 79, 353 initial unemployment claims in the last two weeks. In Missouri, Parson said there have been more than 104,000 initial unemployment claims since March 21.
3 p.m. | Worldwide cases of COVID-19 have passed 1 million, according to Johns Hopkins University data.
2:07 p.m. | Missouri officials say there are 1,834 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state and at least 19 deaths related to the virus.
2:05 p.m. | The Kansas City, Missouri, Health Department says it is calling peoplewho may have been exposed to COVID-19 at the number 816-513-6008. If you receive a call from that number, the health department says you should answer it.
2 p.m. | Children's Mercy says it will provide free sack lunches for children ages 1-18 every weekday while school is out of session. For more information, click here.
1:45 p.m. | Wyandotte County says another person has died from COVID-19, marking five deaths in the county related to the virus. There are 107 confirmed cases in the county, and 35 patients are hospitalized.
1:30 p.m. | The Legends of Hip Hop show, originally scheduled for April 24, has been rescheduled for Oct. 24 at Municipal Arena. Tickets can be exchanged or refunded. For more information, click here.
1:20 p.m. | The Missouri Department of Labor says it has increased staffing after an unprecedented number of jobless claims. For the week ending March 28, unemployment claims increased by nearly 147% from the week before. The department's Division of Employment Security has hired temporary workers and has claims center staff working overtime to help those who lost their jobs receive benefits.
12:15 p.m. | The Kansas Department of Health and Environment reports 552 COVID-19 cases and 13 deaths statewide.
Noon | The University of Missouri System says spring commencement ceremonies at all four universities will either be postponed or held virtually. Details will be shared with students and families in the near future. All students who completed graduation requirements will receive their degrees as scheduled.
11:15 a.m. | The Democratic National Convention will be postponed to mid-August due to the coronavirus pandemic.
10:15 a.m. | Saint Luke's Health System will expand drive-thru testing to first responders, including police officers, firefighters, paramedics and EMTs. First responders must meet criteria in order to be tested, which includes:
- Fever of 100 degrees or higher
- New cough within last 14 days
- Shortness of breath
AND one or more of the following risk factors:
- Exposure to or contact with someone with COVID-19 within the last 14 days
- Immunosuppressed
- Pregnant
- Health care worker/first responder
First responders should obtain a referral for testing through their human resources department. That referral form, a badge and personal identification will be required for testing at any of the three Saint Luke's testing sites in the metro.
10:05 a.m. | The city of Independence has launched a phone bank to answer questions during the coronavirus pandemic. Residents can call 816-325-7033 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The phone bank will be staffed with volunteers from the Medical Reserve Corps.
10 a.m. | Just starting your day? We’ve got you covered with a quick look at what you need to know.
8:38 a.m. | Johnson County, Kansas, reported one new death from COVID-19 as well as 15 new cases of the virus. The county total is now four deaths and 159 cases.
The new Johnson County cases put Kansas over 500 total cases in the state.
Cass County, Missouri, also reported a new case of the virus, bringing its total to 21.
8 a.m. | Officials with the University of Kansas Health System gave an update on the state of COVID-19 operations Thursday.
One of the items health officials addressed is that if the need occurs, hospitals in the area plan to share ventilators among themselves.
The continued to emphasize the importance of staying home to flatten the curve.
7:45 a.m. | Over 6 million unemployment claims were filed last week, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
6:45 a.m. | Several Missouri state parks will close Thursday to help with social distancing, but some golf courses are opening back up to allow recreation with modified rules.
5:30 a.m. | Liberty Public Schools is trying to keep families engaged by issuing a #LPSThrowbackThursday challenge on Twitter. It encourages students, teachers and parents to post photos of themselves as students in the district when they were younger with the hashtag.
EVERYONE has an old throwback photo that you'd be willing to share of you during your old school days. Staff - Students - Parents. Let's do it! #LPSThrowbackThursday is coming your way! #InThisTogetherLPS #ShareTheGoodLPS #LPSLeads pic.twitter.com/KaBwbgKAG1
— LPS53 (@LIBERTYSCHOOLS) April 2, 2020
5:15 a.m. | President Donald Trump confirmed Wednesday that the U.S. is nearly out of PPE it had stockpiled.
5 a.m. | The COVID-19 death toll in the U.S. officially passed 5,000 late Wednesday night.
Previous coverage:
Monday, March 16
Tuesday, March 17
Wednesday, March 18
Thursday, March 19
Friday, March 20
Saturday, March 21
Sunday, March 22
Monday, March 23
Tuesday, March 24
Wednesday, March 25
Thursday, March 26
Friday, March 27
Saturday, March 28
Sunday, March 29
Monday, March 30
Tuesday, March 31
Wednesday, April 1
