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.
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 21.
8:01 p.m. | The Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, announced Tuesday that it has expanded COVID-19. Residents experiencing symptoms can drive or walk through at 619 Ann Ave. from 1 to 5 p.m. on weekdays without an appointment. Testing is free for Wyandotte County residents.
7:50 p.m. | Wyandotte County has reported one more death, bringing its total to 45.
Seward County in Kansas reported 142 COVID-19 cases as of 7 p.m. on Wednesday. The county's previous number of cases was 80.
7:20 p.m. | Saline County, Missouri, has reported an additional 54 coronavirus cases. The county's total to 96 and Missouri's total number of cases to 6,050.
6:09 p.m. | Blue Springs will allow "retailers with active liquor licenses" to sell alcohol curbside after the city council voted Monday to temporarily waive restrictions on the sale of retailer-packaged alcoholic drinks subject to certain restrictions:
- Alcohol must be in a durable, leak-proof and sealable container and meet size requirements
- Alcohol must be purchased with a meal, not by itself
- A dated receipt must be included
- It must be securely sealed in a bag or sealed with tamper-proof tape
The waiver is in effect through May 15.
4:40 p.m. | A cluster of COVID-19 cases at the Lansing Correctional Facility continues to increase. On Tuesday, the Kansas Department of Corrections says 54 staff and 46 inmates have contracted the virus, an increase of 13 total cases since Monday.
4:30 p.m. | Riverbend Post-Acute Rehabilitation in Kansas City, Kansas, has reported another death from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing the death toll at the facility to 25.
4:05 p.m. | Kansas Department of Labor Secretary Delía García says residents are now eligible for extended unemployment benefits. The temporary extension increases the number of weeks a person is eligible for unemployment benefits to up to 26 weeks for claims filed after Jan. 1, 2020.
The extension applies automatically, so no application process is required beyond filing a weekly claim.
“If you are eligible, you will automatically receive the benefits extension,” García said in a news release. “You do not need an additional application. This applies to applications made on or after January 1, 2020, as directed by the Kansas Legislature.”
The extension was passed by the Kansas Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Laura Kelly in March.
2:30 p.m. | New data released Tuesday afternoon shows Missouri has surpassed 6,000 COVID-19 cases.
Of 6,008 cases in the state, 223 people have died.
In the Kansas City area, there are 1,812 cases and 113 deaths. Combined, Missouri and Kansas have a total 8,075 cases and 330 deaths.
2:20 p.m. | Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly gave several updates in her Tuesday briefing on COVID-19.
First, the governor said the state has expanded its criteria for COVID-19 testing. Previously, patients had to have a fever and two coronavirus symptoms to be tested. Under the expanded criteria, patients need only have two symptoms, and not necessarily a fever.
The governor also addressed anticipated revenue loss as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which Monday was projected to be a $653 million shortfall by the end of June 2021.
Kelly said she will do everything in her power to avoid making budget cuts to essential services, including education.
1:45 p.m. | The Platte County Health Department announced Tuesday it is now offering a self-reporting COVID-19 symptom tool for residents.
Officials hope the tool will help the county learn how many residents might have symptoms related to COVID-19 and any people that might be eligible for testing.
The tool is available on the health department's website.
1:15 p.m. | At Monday's Johnson County Board of Commissioners meeting, board members approved the creation of the Recovery Planning Task Force to help county leaders "re-open" the economy in a "phased approach."
The task force, which will start meeting this week according to a press release, will be made up of representatives from several different sectors in the county.
“We are working on phased plans to restore our economy," Board Chairman Ed Eilert said in the release.
12:45 p.m. | U.S. health regulators have approved the first coronavirus test that allows people to take their own sample at home. The test from LabCorp will initially only be available to health care workers and first responders under a doctor’s orders. The sample will still have to be sent back to LabCorp for processing, according to an Associated Press report.
12:21 p.m. | Kansas officials reported 2,067 cases of COVID-19 as of Tuesday and seven new deaths related to the virus. The Kansas City metropolitan area now stands at 1,787 cases of COVID-19 and 113 deaths.
11:55 a.m. | Here's a bit of good news amid the COVID-19 pandemic: Robocalls are down 58% nationwide, according to Federal Trade Commission data compiled by allareacodes.com. Missouri ranks 15th among states with a 58% decrease, while Kansas ranks 45th with a 39% drop.
11:46 a.m. | Missouri Gov. Mike Parson ordered all flags be flown at half-staff on Wednesday to honor fallen Kansas City Fire Department EMT Billy Birmingham. His funeral will be held on Wednesday.
Birmingham passed away after contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.
11:30 a.m. | Johnson County is asking residents to take another survey to determine how many in the county have experienced symptoms of COVID-19. The survey is available until 10 a.m. Friday. Click here to take it.
11:20 a.m. | Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt has filed a lawsuit against the Chinese government, alleging that officials there took action to suppress information and downplay the severity of the coronavirus. The lawsuit also alleges Chinese officials did not do enough to contain the spread of the virus.
“The Chinese government lied to the world about the danger and contagious nature of COVID-19, silenced whistleblowers, and did little to stop the spread of the disease," Schmitt said in a news release announcing the lawsuit. "They must be held accountable for their actions.”
10:45 a.m. | A group of pilots will make a second “Hope Flight” on Tuesday afternoon over area fire stations and hospitals. The Beechnutz and KC Flight Formation Team will begin the flyover in Lawrence and then head to the Kansas City metro. The flight will also honor Billy Birmingham, a Kansas City, Missouri, Fire Department EMT who died from COVID-19 complications.
10:30 a.m. | The Overland Park City Council did not take a vote at its meeting Monday on a proposal to extend hazard pay to first responders during the coronavirus shutdown. The measure did not get voted onto the agenda, according to a city spokesperson. The council meets on the first and third Mondays of each month, so the next date it could be considered is May 4.
10 a.m. | Just starting your day? We’ve got you covered with a quick look at what you need to know.
9:58 a.m. | Special Olympics Missouri will not hold the 2020 State Summer Games in person. The games were scheduled for June 5-7, but are no longer possible due to COVID-19 restrictions. The games will instead be held virtually. An announcement with more details is scheduled for May 5.
9:45 a.m. | Johnson County officials say five more people have died from COVID-19.
9:15 a.m. | Truman Medical Centers is offering drive-thru COVID-19 testing on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Anyone who thinks they need tested should call 816-404-CARE (2273).
Today, Wednesday and Friday, @TrumanMedKC is offering mobile #COVID19 testing at three different locations throughout our community.
Call 816-404-CARE to get tested at one of these locations. 404-CARE is open 8-5 Monday-Friday and 8-12 on Saturday and Sunday. pic.twitter.com/KRdDCq8bY2
— Mayor Quinton Lucas (@MayorLucasKC) April 21, 2020
9:02 a.m. | Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer says an agreement has been reached on major elements of a nearly $500 billion coronavirus aid package for small businesses, as well as additional help for hospitals and virus testing.
9:00 a.m. | Scripps has officially canceled the 2020 National Spelling Bee.
8:30 a.m. | University of Kansas Health System officials gave their daily update on COVID-19 operations and a staff member who recovered from the virus shared his experience.
6:26 a.m. | Emergency housing will be available to any person experiencing homelessness in Jackson County who tests positive for COVID-19.
Our community has shown great strength and sacrifice during this unprecedented time! We need your continued cooperation to help further slow the spread of #COVID19. I've extended the stay-at-home order in @JacksonCountyMO through May 15. #StayStrong #StaySafe #StayHome pic.twitter.com/Z2pb5jRonk
— Frank White (@JCEFrankWhite) April 16, 2020
5:35 a.m. | The World Health Organization is warning that the rush to loosen virus rules and reopen economies could cause a resurgence of the illness.
5:15 a.m. | It's #TakeoutTuesday, and one Northland restaurant is donating a portion of its proceeds to feeding local children. Trezo Mare will donate 10% of its sales to Feed Northland Kids through April 26.
Tomorrow through Sunday (4/26), @TrezoMare will be donating 10% of all sales to Feed Northland Kids! The local nonprofit provides shelf-stable groceries to families across Clay and Platte counties.
Learn more and see Trezo Mare's to-go menu at https://t.co/pIqWMtIUFQ. pic.twitter.com/tQjOnUX5Jh
— KC Originals (@kcoriginals) April 19, 2020
5 a.m. | Baldwin City, Kansas, created a "wellness walk" for residents to enjoy while getting exercise. It is full of chalk drawings with words of encouragement to help people through the COVID-19 pandemic. Anyone may add to the art, but social distancing is encouraged.
Welcome the Wellness Walk, Baldwin City! Created by our Great & Powerful group, a bright path of support and encouragement. Please observe social distancing when walking or adding to the Wellness Walk (and bring your own chalk!) pic.twitter.com/Syfn2taGlL
— Baldwin City KS Public Library (@bclibrary_ks) April 20, 2020
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
Monday, March 30
Monday, March 30
Tuesday, March 31
Wednesday, April 1
Thursday, April 2
Friday, April 3
Friday, April 3
Saturday, April 4
Monday, April 6
Tuesday, April 7
Wednesday, April 8
Thursday, April 9
Friday, April 10
Saturday, April 11
Sunday, April 12
Monday, April 13
Tuesday, April 14
Wednesday, April 15
Thursday, April 16
Wednesday, April 15
Thursday, April 16
Friday, April 17
Saturday, April 18
Sunday, April 19
Monday, April 20
