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.
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Updates on the spread of the virus and how it is affecting the metro can be found below for Aug. 14.
8:49 p.m. | The Shawnee Mission School District is preparing to begin fall sports Monday, according to a letter sent to parents by SM East Athletic Director Debbie Katzfey that detailed the school’s coronavirus mitigation plan.
Among the protocols SM East has put in place, students will be required to use a daily COVID-19 assessment app on their phones, which will also track attendance at practice to aid in contact tracing in the event it is necessary.
SM East, which had to suspend summer workouts at least twice due to positive tests, will require all students to wear masks before and after practice as well as during warmups, but they won’t be required during periods of intense activity.
5:25 p.m. | After photos and videos circulated on social media showing a large gathering of people at Kansas City’s Power and Light District on Thursday night, a spokesperson says the district was complaint with Kansas City’s State of Emergency ordinances.
4:30 p.m. | The U.S.-Canada border will remain closed to non-essential travel until at least Sept. 21, Canadian Emergency Minister Bill Blair said in a tweet on Friday.
3:59 p.m. | Over $48 million in COVID-19 relief is coming to Missouri children's hospitals, U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Missouri, announced Friday afternoon in a press release.
The money is coming from the CARES Act and the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, according to Blunt.
"Children’s hospitals are an important part of our state and nation’s coronavirus response efforts,” Blunt said. “But many of them, like other health care providers and hospitals, are in a difficult financial position after having to suspend non-emergency surgeries and purchase new equipment like PPE. This funding will help ensure children’s hospitals are able to continue providing high quality, specialized care," he said.
3:21 p.m. | There are now more than 100,000 combined COVID-19 cases in Missouri and Kansas, including 1,427 that were reported by state and local health departments in Missouri on Friday.
Missouri has reported at least 1,400 new cases for three consecutive days.
There were 682 new cases reported in the seven-county Kansas City area, which is the seventh-most for a single day. That includes an additional 10 deaths, which are tied for the third-most reported in a single day and represents the fourth day with a double-figure death tally, all since July 31.
2 p.m. | State and local health departments in Kansas combined to report 1,192 new COVID-19 cases Friday.
Since the state moved to a thrice-weekly reporting of data, Friday’s number of new cases is the highest for any day since the beginning of the pandemic.
Seven additional deaths were reported Friday, bringing the state’s total to 405. That new total includes five new deaths reported Friday by the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, Health Department. The county’s COVID-19 death toll now stands at 107.
1:22 p.m. | Clay County is recommending schools opt to move fall sports to the spring.
“We are recommending to Clay County school districts that they choose the MSHSAA spring season options for contact sports in supporting our goal of minimizing the spread of COVID-19 in our communities. This thoughtful and responsible decision will give student athletes, spectators, parents and families the best chance to remain safe and enjoy a complete season," the county said in a statement.
The opinion came after Wyandotte County prohibited fall contact sports in a Thursday announcement.
Clay County's suggestion is just that. It is not an order, like in Wyandotte County.
12:30 p.m. | The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association announced all fall sports will be postponed until at least Jan. 1, 2021, citing COVID-19 concerns.
Noon | Ruby Jean's Juicery announced Friday it is closing its downtown location due to a decrease in traffic because of COVID-19. The restaurant's Troost Avenue location is still open.
10:33 a.m. | Families will now have the opportunity to return to playgrounds in Independence on Monday, Aug. 17, the city announced Friday.
The city is urging people who go to the playgrounds to use extra precautions.
"Our Parks Recreation Tourism staff will work to sanitize these structures twice a week but we encourage everyone to exercise caution," Independence Mayor Eileen Weir said. "We have confidence in our citizens that appropriate precautions will be taken while enjoying our parks, including wearing masks at all times and social distancing, and will provide families and individuals with more options for lower-risk activities in our city."
9:49 a.m. | Blue Valley North High School will begin fall sports on Monday, Aug. 17, under new guidelines, the school announced Friday morning.
Athletes must all have a completed physical packet before trying out for the teams.
They must also wear a mask and have labeled water bottles.
A full list of the school's athletic calendar can be found here.
8:49 a.m. | University of Kansas Health System officials gave their daily COVID-19 update.
7:20 a.m. | Just starting your day? We’ve got you covered with a quick look at what you need to know.
6:22 a.m. | State Emergency Management Association is distributing 2 million cloth masks to Missouri schools. Several KC metro ares schools will be distribution centers.
This includes Kansas City Public Schools, Fort Osage R-I School District, Liberty 53 School District and the Ray-Pec School District.
5:30 a.m. | The Kansas City, Missouri, Health Department released a video asking everyone to continue to wear a mask and to not use mask wearing a substitute for social distancing.
😷Kansas City, it's time to mask up.
Together we can #StopTheSpread of #COVID19.
And protect the most vulnerable in our community who cannot wear a mask. pic.twitter.com/hi4BMiMmC6
— KCMO Health Dept (@KCMOHealthDept) August 14, 2020
5 a.m. | CDC Director Robert Redfield suggested that the coronavirus pandemic could become even more dire in the fall, as the weather gets cold and people head indoors.
As part of an interview with WebMD on Wednesday, Redfield said it is imperative to do four things to slow the spread of the coronavirus: Hand washing, social distancing, wearing a mask and avoiding large gatherings.
Previous coverage:
March 2020 updates
April 2020 updates
May 2020 updates
June 2020 updates
July 2020 updates
Monday, August 3
Tuesday, August 4
Wednesday, August 5
Thursday, August 6
Friday, August 7
Monday, August 10
Tuesday, August 11
Wednesday, August 12
Thursday, August 13
