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 30.
10:40 p.m. | Pita Blu, a Greek to-go restaurant in Overland Park, has announced plans to close May 29. In a post on Facebook, the restaurant's owners said the building had been sold and they haven't been able to find a new location because the COVID-19 outbreak.
9:13 p.m. | According to PrepsKC, the Greater Kansas City Football Coaches Association BeYOUnion.com Kansas vs. Missouri All-Star Game has been canceled. It was scheduled for June 11 at North Kansas City HIgh School.
The GKCFCA already selected the all-star teams, which will be announced this weekend.
8:13 p.m. | The Missouri GOP will conduct this year's Republican Congressional District Conventions by mail rather than in-person. The Republican National Committee approved the plan Thursday.
The district conventions determine Missouri's three delegates and three alternates for the national convention as well as determining the presidential elector. The results should be announced May 30.
7:20 p.m. | Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly addressed the state Thursday night from Topeka, and said that while challenges remain, her administration has put together a reopening plan that will start on May 4.
READ: Complete details of Kelly’s reopening plan
5:20 p.m. | Wyandotte County announced Thursday it will work in concert with neighboring Johnson County, Kansas in extending its stay-at-home order until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, May 10.
"The decision to extend the Stay-At-Home period by issuing a new order is based on what the virus is telling us," Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas Chief Medical Officer Dr. K. Allen Greiner said in a release late Thursday afternoon. "Wyandotte County has been hardest hit by COVID-19 in this region, so we must be especially cautious in order to protect the health and wellness of everyone in our community. We are making progress, but we are not in the clear yet.”
The county leads the entire state with 677 positive COVID-19 cases and 55 deaths.
5 p.m. | During his daily news conference, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson reiterated that once the state opens up on Monday, May 4, employees will be required to go back to work if their employer requests it.
4:30 p.m. | Hours after announcing plans to do so, Johnson County, Kansas Public Health Officer Dr. Joseph LeMaster formally signed an extension of the county's stay-at-home order, which now goes through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, May 10.
LeMaster said the need to operate in concert with other jurisdictions in the Kansas City region and limit transmission was important in his decision.
4 p.m. | The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services has tested more 1,500 employees at the Triumph Foods pork processing plant in St. Joseph, Missouri. In a batch of results received Thursday, officials say more than 126 employees have tested positive, with an additional batch of results expected later this week.
In a statement to 41 Action News,Triumph Foods says it will use the results to help in staffing and workflows at the plant.
3:42 p.m. | Kansas has added Massachusetts and Rhode Island to its travel quarantine list and removed California, Florida and Washington.
3:30 p.m. | Gov. Mike Parson said during his daily COVID-19 briefing on Thursday that community block grants that should begin being distributed “in the next few weeks” will be available for Missouri individuals and families who need help with food, clothing, housing and utilities.
3:24 p.m. | Farmers Insurance is donating $1,500 to Operation BBQ Relief on behalf of agent Robert Young. The Independence-based agent nominated the nonprofit, which provides free on-site hot meals for first responders during disasters.
3 p.m. | A 15-year employee of the Lansing Correctional Facility has quit, saying the lack of personal protective equipment at the facility, was the final straw.
2:52 p.m. | With the Kentucky Derby postponed until September, NBC will air the 2015 Kentucky Derby, which American Pharoah won en route to the first Triple Crown in 37 seasons, on Saturday afternoon.
The Kentucky Derby traditionally is run on the first Saturday in May. The three-hour program, "The First Saturday in May: American Pharoah's Run to the Triple Crown," will feature updated commentary and a new interview with trainer Bob Baffert along with a simulated virtual Run for the Roses, featuring the 13 Triple Crown winners.
2:09 p.m. | AT&T has partnered with Operation BBQ Relief to provide more than 12,000 meals from local restaurants to first responders and health-care workers in the Kansas City area through the company's Believe Kansas City initiative.
2:05 p.m. | Walmart announced Thursday that it was paying $4.15 million in bonuses to employees in Missouri and $2 million to employees in Kansas on this week's paychecks. The company has hired 200,000 new associates nationwide during the COVID-19 pandemic and paid $550 million in bonuses.
1:50 p.m. | Leavenworth County saw a big jump in COVID-19 cases over the past day, with 160 new cases reported. It's an increase of about 82% in one day. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment attributes the increase to delays in reporting at Lansing Correctional Facility, which tested 240 inmates earlier this week and found 75% of them to be positive.
Elsewhere in Kansas, Ford, Finney and Seward counties also saw substantial increases in cases. Overall, 4,243 cases have been reported statewide, an increase of 414 from Wednesday, according to data from the state and local health departments.
1:41 p.m. | KC Parks is offering a day camp for children ages 5 to 13, whose parents must go to work. The camp begins May 4 at the Gregg/Klice Community Center, 1600 E. 17th Terrace, and runs from 7:30 a.. to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays.
The day camp costs $50 per week or $10 per day and will be expanded to other KC Parks community centers as attendance increases. There will be a limit of 12 to 15 children per location. Registration is available at KCParks.org or by calling 816-513-8530. Children must be registered by 5 p.m. the previous day.
1:20 p.m. | All inmates at the Lansing Correctional Facility, which has had one of the largest coronavirus outbreaks in Kansas, will be tested for COVID-19, the state Department of Corrections says. Earlier this week, 240 inmates from one living unit were tested, and 75% of them were found to be positive and asymptomatic.
On Wednesday, the facility announced its second death related to the virus.
1 p.m. | Missouri Gov. Mike Parson says he's confident the state is better equipped to handle a potential second wave of the coronavirus, citing an increase in data and more knowledge about how and where the virus spreads fastest.
12:28 p.m. | Wyandotte County reports 55 more cases Thursday, marking a 9% increase in just one day.
12:01 p.m. | The U.S. Census is preparing to resume operations as stay-at-home orders lift.
11:41 a.m. | Johnson County canceled its 2020 Swim and Dive League.
UPDATE: The 2020 Johnson County Swim & Dive League season has been cancelled. This difficult decision was based on current/projected social distancing guidelines, group guidelines & concern for participant, coach & staff health during the pandemic. Thank you for understanding. pic.twitter.com/7NyKN0mGAR
— Roeland Park, KS (@RoelandParkKS) April 30, 2020
11:05 a.m. | Johnson County, Kansas, plans to extend its local stay-at-home order through May 10, despite a statewide order set to lift on May 4.
10:50 a.m. | Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly could make an announcement today regarding the early release of inmates who are close to finishing their sentences.
Worried relatives have demanded that Kelly release some inmates to allow better social distancing to control the spread of the coronavirus in prisons, which have been hard-hit during the pandemic. On Wednesday, an outbreak at the Lansing Correctional Facility topped 150 cases and led to a second virus-related death.
10:45 a.m. | Organizers of the popular Heartland Stampede Music Festival announced Thursday this year’s festival is canceled due to COVID-19.
Ticket holders have the option to receive a refund or transfer their tickets to the 2021 festival.
10 a.m. | Just starting your day? We’ve got you covered with a quick look at what you need to know.
9:33 a.m. | The Missouri State Highway Patrol will resume written driver exams on May 4.
8:41 a.m. | University of Kansas Health System officials gave their daily COVID-19 update.
7:38 a.m. | A new labor report shows 3.8 million people filed for unemployment last week, bringing the six-week total to 30 million.
5:48 a.m. | College students experiencing financial strain due to COVID-19 may be able to get some extra assistance, including refunds from the school, emergency aid money and help from an updated FAFSA.
5:15 a.m. | Enterprise Holdings laid off more than 2,000 rental car employees in response to a downturn in business due to COVID-19.
5 a.m. | Jackson County Sheriff Darryl Forte gave an early morning update on the status of inmates in the county jail. According to Forte, three inmates are in isolation as of Thursday and one other is quarantine due to possibly coming in contact with a family member who is positive for COVID-19.
Update on Isolation/Quarantine of inmates at JCDC. Three inmates on medical isolation (1 w/symptoms, 2 no symptoms). One inmate on precautionary quarantine due to possible contact with COVID positive family member. @JacksonCountyMO @KCMO @JCSheriffOffice pic.twitter.com/uMPoCyLWNK
— Darryl Forte' (@sheriffforte) April 30, 2020
Previous coverage:
March 2020 updates
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
Saturday, April 11
Monday, April 13
Tuesday, April 14
Wednesday, April 15
Thursday, April 16
Wednesday, April 15
Friday, April 17
Saturday, April 18
Monday, April 20
Wednesday, April 22
Tuesday, April 21
Wednesday, April 22
Thursday, April 23
Saturday, April 25
Sunday, April 26
Saturday, April 25
Sunday, April 26
Saturday, April 25
Sunday, April 26
Sunday, April 26
Monday, April 27
Tuesday, April 28
Monday, April 27
Tuesday, April 28
Wednesday, April 29
