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.
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 Aug 19.
7:15 p.m. | The Lee’s Summit School District said Wednesday if Jackson County’s community spread doesn’t improve, students will begin the year with online learning.
On July 17, the district told parents they would have three options for their students: full-time in-person learning, completely virtual learning, or a hybrid of the two.
The Jackson County Health Department recommended the district being the year with remote learning for all students if numbers don’t improve.
The district will follow that guidance if community spread doesn’t improve by Aug. 25.
“We want to be at school in-person. We are also committed to our duty to keep our students and staff safe and healthy to our greatest ability,” a spokesperson for the district said in a statement. -HG
5:15 p.m. | The Clay County Health Department released new guidance Wednesday for school districts in the county with questions about high school sports.
Department Director Gary Zaborac wrote that health officials are recommending one of three options to the county's schools:
- Districts consider a spring sports season outlined by the Missouri State High School Athletics Association;
- Athletes participating in contact sports be limited to only virtual or remote learning;
- Continue the fall sports season with no changes.
"I’m sure we all agree a safe environment for all players and participants, protection of the general student population, faculty and staff, while continuing to provide a comprehensive quality education and school experience to all our children is the desired outcome," Zaborac said Wednesday in a letter. - SH
4:15 p.m. | Following some other Johnson County school districts, the Spring Hill School District announced Wednesday that middle and high school students will begin the school year virtually.
The district’s decision comes after the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment said the county has not met the threshold in school gating criteria, which considers the 14-day average positivity rate and the number of new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents. —AW
2:37 p.m. | Missouri added another 960 COVID-19 cases and reported four deaths, including one in Clay County, according to updates from the state and local health departments.
Nationally, the number of new cases reported plummeted below 38,000, but the numbers of deaths remained relatively high with 1,168 more reported in the last 24 hours, according to Johns Hopkins University.
1:52 p.m. | Kansas reported the fewest new cases of coronavirus on state-reporting day since July 13 with 713 new cases added in Kansas based of updates from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and local health departments. There are 36,244 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Kansas.
There also were six new deaths attributed to the virus reported in Kansas, including two more in Wyandotte County.
KDHE only updates the state COVID-19 data on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
11:57 a.m. | Belton residents interested in getting tested for COVID-19 who qualify for an appointment can register to be tested between 7 a.m. and noon on Thursday at Cass County Regional Medical Center. -KB
If you qualify and would like to be tested for COVID-19, schedule your appointment at https://t.co/bbdwvOfnxI for this drive-though testing to be held from 7 a.m. to Noon on Thursday, August 20, at Cass County Regional Medical Center. pic.twitter.com/Rn69tV5kHv
— Belton, MO (@Belton_MO) August 19, 2020
11:51 a.m. | Hy-Vee Arena in Kansas City, Missouri, will be a hot spot for youth wrestling this weekend, and city leaders aren’t happy about it.
Starting Friday, Aug. 21, and running through Sunday, Aug. 23, the Rocky Mountain Nationals youth wrestling event will feature as many as 2,500 wrestlers aged kindergarten to 12th grade from as many as 40 different states.
The event organizers assure that safety measures have been put in place but the city said they will be closely monitoring the event.
9:06 a.m. | The Overland Park Fire Department decided to close its 9/11 ceremony to the public due to COVID-19 concerns. Instead, it will be available via livestream. -KB
Unfortunately, we've decided it's best to close this year's 9/11 Ceremony to the public. However, honor guards will conduct the ceremony and we will live stream it for you to see. More details to come. #hateCOVID pic.twitter.com/96rZHQb0VO
— Overland Park Fire (@OPFDMedia) August 19, 2020
8:46 a.m. | University of Kansas Health System officials gave their daily COVID-19 update. -KB
8:20 a.m. | The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and Architecture announced it will reopen its doors to the public on Sept. 12. Admission will still be free, but guests will be asked to reserve timed tickets to maintain social distancing. The museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Monday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Masks will be required. -KB
7:30 a.m. | Just starting your day? We’ve got you covered with a quick look at what you need to know. -KB
7:15 a.m. | A new report shows there was a major spike over the summer in COVID-19 cases at nursing homes.
The report was compiled by the American Health Care Association (AHCA), which represents long-term care and post-acute care facilities, and the data came from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. -KB
7 a.m. | Kansas businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic can begin to apply for a number of grants through the state on Wednesday, Aug. 19.
Gov. Laura Kelly said in a news release that more than $130 million in grant funding is available for businesses that meet certain criteria. The grants are funded through the federal CARES Act.
“This is an opportunity to revitalize our economy and for businesses to receive some necessary relief,” Kelly said. “I strongly encourage business owners to apply first thing Wednesday if they are eligible.”
Businesses can begin applying at noon Wednesday by going to kansascommerce.gov/covidrelief. -AW
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
Friday, August 14
Monday, August 17
Tuesday, August 18
