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 3.
9:57 p.m. | The 47th annual Hospital Hill Run, which includes a half-marathon as well as a 5K and 10K, will be all-virtual this year. The "race" is June 6.
7:00 p.m. | The Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, confirmed Friday evening that one of the county's COVID-19 deaths is a 64-year man, who was "a long-time employee of the Unified Government’s Parks and Recreation Department."
“It’s always tragic to lose a member of our community,” KCK Mayor David Alvey in a statement. “To lose a member of our Unified Government family hits particularly close to home. Our prayers are with his family at this very sad time.”
The UG also announced that KCK police and Wyandotte County sheriff's deputies will step up enforcement of the stay-at-home order for non-essential activities and businesses, including a possible $500 fine.
5 p.m. | Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has issued a statewide stay-at-home order from April 6-24.
4:05 p.m. | The city of Merriam has announced a number of cancellations and postponements of upcoming events. Find the full list here.
3:46 p.m. | Walmart says it will begin limiting the number of people who can be in stores beginning Saturday, April 4. Stores will allow no more than five customers per 1,000 square feet, or about 20% of a store's capacity, the company said in a news release.
3:27 p.m. | The Platte County Health Department announced two additional positive COVID-19 cases, bringing its total to 14. The Kansas City, Missouri, Health Department also reports 11 patients who live in Platte County and have tested positive for a total of 25 known cases in the county.
2:35 p.m. | Kansas City, Missouri, reported the second death in the city related to COVID-19. There are now 154 confirmed cases in KCMO, with the majority in Jackson County. Across the entire seven-county metro, 20 deaths have been reported.
2:50 p.m. | The Missouri State Highway Patrol has suspended all written and skills-based driver road testing at all locations until April 15. The suspension includes operator, commercial driver license and motorcycle testing.
2:05 p.m. | Missouri officials on Friday report 2,113 cases of COVID-19 and at least 19 deaths in the state.
1:30 p.m. | Leavenworth County reports the first death in the county related to COVID-19, a woman in her 50s. She had underlying health conditions and no history of recent travel, according to county officials. Leavenworth County now has 29 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including the one death.
1:10 p.m. | The Missouri National Guard confirmed it inspected several facilities in major metropolitan areas to be used as temporary hospitals should COVID-19 expand beyond hospital capacity in those areas.
They include: In the Kansas City area, Hy-Vee Arena, Independence Event Center, the Adams Mark Hotel and Bartle Hall (KC Convention Center). In the St. Louis area, America’s Center Convention Complex and The Dome at America’s Center; in the Springfield area, Bill R. Foster and Family Recreation Center and John Q. Hammons Arena; in the Joplin area, Missouri Southern Campus Leggett and Platt Athletic Center; in the Cape Girardeau area, the Show-Me Center and Student Recreation Center; and in the Columbia area, the Hearnes Center and Mizzou Arena.
The National Guard also virtually assessed 100 sites that could be used if necessary.
1:03 p.m. | Target said it will begin limiting the number of shoppers allowed in stores at one time to slow the spread of COVID-19. Employees will also be given non-surgical face masks to wear on the job.
12:45 p.m. | Kansas officials said Friday that 622 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed statewide. At least 17 people have died in the state.
The most recent death happened in Wyandotte County, bringing the metro death toll to 18.
11:50 a.m. | The Unified Government's Public Health Department will begin offering COVID-19 testing to Wyandotte County residents. Eligible residents can schedule a time to drive or walk through for testing at 619 Ann Ave. in Kansas City, Kansas. Testing priority will be given to those with common symptoms of COVID-19, including a fever of more than 100 degress, shortness of breath and a dry, unproductive cough.
11:45 a.m. | Children's Mercy says it will reduce the hours of its Urgent Care locations because of lower patient volumes as people continue to practice social distancing. Beginning Friday, the three locations will be open from noon to 6 p.m., seven days a week.
11 a.m. | Jackson County says a third COVID-19 patient has died. The patient was a man in his 60s. It's the 17th death recorded in the Kansas City metro and the 29th in Missouri.
With new cases reported in Jackson County and in St. Louis County on Friday, Missouri now has more than 2,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state.
10:57 a.m. | For the first time since its inception in 1987, Washburn University's Sunflower Music Festival has been canceled. The free nine-day concert series will return June 18-26, 2021.
10:50 a.m. | The Health Services Department for the Liberty School District donated more than 600 N95 masks and other items to Liberty Hospital, which is trying to keep its staff safe amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
10:40 a.m. | The Trump administration is formalizing new guidance to recommend that many Americans wear face coverings in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The recommendations are expected to apply at least to those who live in areas hard hit by community transmission of the virus.
10:20 a.m. | Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly says some state government operations will resume on Monday, April 6, after a two-week suspension. Around 70% of state employees will continue to work remotely. Public access to state office buildings will remain closed until April 19, the end of the governor's statewide stay-at-home order.
10:15 | Blade & Timber axe throwing will distribute more than 1,000 bottles of J. Rieger & Co.'s hand sanitizer on Friday and Saturday. The bottles must be purchased online, and people will be given a designated curbside pickup time. For more information, click here.
10 a.m. | Just starting your day? We’ve got you covered with a quick look at what you need to know.
9:40 a.m. | Johnson County officials say three more people have died of COVID-19. There are now more than 170 confirmed cases in the county, the most in Kansas.
Also Friday, Wyandotte County reported 119 confirmed cases, with 40 of those patients currently hospitalized.
8:37 a.m. | Officials with the University of Kansas Health System gave their daily update on COVID-19 operations in the area.
8:28 a.m. | The Saint Luke's Health System said it is currently treating 24 patients who tested positive for COVID-19. It also announced tests for the virus can now be processed in-house.
8:08 a.m. | Officials with the University of Kansas announced 52 senior medical students will graduate earlyand obtain special permits to join the fight against COVID-19 in the state.
7:40 a.m. | The U.S. shed 701,000 jobs in March because of COVID-19, ending a nearly 10-year hiring streak.
6:30 a.m. | Local engineering firm Black and Veatch is hoping to partner with startups working to tackle COVID-19. The firm will lend experts to the startup to try and get solutions out as soon as possible.
5:31 a.m. | Disney announced it would begin furloughing nonessential employees on April 19. The employees will still receive healthcare and some other benefits, and are able to use PTO and sick days to weather the furlough.
The decision comes because parks were shut down and productions halted due to COVID-19.
5:15 a.m. | Lawrence, Kansas, created an online tool to keep residents up to date on what businesses are open, what their adjusted hours are and which restaurants are offering social distancing-friendly food options.
5 a.m. | Kansas State University gave an update on online learning withing the school, and said it has been successful so far.
One notable success includes the free online teaching tool created by the school now has over 1,500 people involved from more than 15 countries.
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
Thursday, April 2
