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 July 13.
7 p.m. | Three employees of the Johnson County Department of Corrections have tested positive for COVID-19, the county confirmed Monday. "Staff and clients" directly impacted have been notified, and the county says it has offered for those people to be tested even if asymptomatic.
6:50 p.m. | As more coronavirus testing becomes available, the wait time for results is getting longer for some people.
The Kansas City, Missouri, Health Department confirmed to 41 Action News that there is a backlog in getting test results.
Dr. Lee Norman, secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, said testing continues to increase in Kansas, which may be affecting the ability of reference labs to turn around samples in a timely manner.
5:37 p.m. | One week after postponing the start of summer school for a day due to two positive COVID-19 tests among employees, Raymore-Peculiar announced Monday that three more staff members have tested positive for the virus.
All five cases involve non-teaching employees, the district said in a statement on its website.
Ray-Pec High School was closed July 6 for a deep cleaning, pushing back the start of summer school to July 7, after the initial positive tests were discovered.
The Cass County Health Department is performing contact tracing, but the employees who tested positive have not been in the building and did not have contact with summer school students.
5:10 p.m. | The largest cluster of COVID-19 cases Cass County health officials have investigatedstems from a July 3 house party hosted by high school students south of Harrisonville. There have been 21 positive cases identified and more testing is planned for those who attended the party or have had close contact with party-goers.
4:41 p.m. | Two of the 29 Kansas State student-athletes who have tested positive in the last month still have active COVID-19 infections.
A total of 190 student-athletes who returned to campus for summer workouts have been tested.
The Wildcats announced Monday that summer workouts have resumed for football — eight hours per week of weight-lifting, conditioning and film study — while men’s and women’s basketball, soccer and volleyball are continuing voluntary workouts.
4:30 p.m. | North Kansas City Schools released its Return to School Plan on Monday. Superintendent Dan Clemens said the plan will likely be updated and "made current with the latest guidance" as information changes. The plan was created in collaboration with other local school districts incorporating input from medical professionals, public health agencies, parents, teachers, support staff and other stakeholder groups, according to Clemens.
41 Action News is tracking all of the metro school districts' reopening plans here.
4 p.m. | The Kansas City, Missouri, Health Department says it has filled all appointments for a three-day testing event through July 15 at the Homefield Sports Facility. A spokesperson for the department says the event reached capacity on Monday morning.
2:30 p.m. | Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt issued a Consumer Alert on Monday after her department's Consumer Assistance Division became aware of instances where federal law was not being followed for COVID-19 testing.
Federal law requires COVID-19 testing without cost-sharing requirements, which include deductibles, copayments and coinsurance, or prior authorization or other medical management requirements, according to a news release from Schmidt's office. Most consumers should not be billed a separate provider or facility fee for the tests.
“Providers and health insurers have a responsibility to ensure claims are processed correctly,” Schmidt said in the news release. “Kansans should pay special attention to any charges related to COVID-19 testing to ensure they are not improper. If you have been tested for COVID-19 and have questions about charges, please contact the Department for assistance.”
Those who want to report a complaint should contact the Kansas Insurance Department's Consumer Assistance Hotline at 785-296-7829 or 800-432-2484. They can also submit a complaint online at insurance.kansas.gov/complaint
2:10 p.m. | Missouri added nearly 650 more COVID-19 cases and 10 additional deaths Monday afternoon, according to information from the state and local health departments.
With information from Missouri, there were 524 cases identified in the seven-county Kansas City area on Monday, which is the second-highest single day total for the metro. The highest total was 571 new cases on Friday, July 10.
2 p.m. | The Johnson County Election Office says it has received nearly 90,000 applications to vote by mail in the Aug. 4 primary. That figure is higher than the entire turnout in the last three August primary elections held in 2016, 2012 and 2008.
Voter registration for the August election ends Tuesday, July 14.
1:20 p.m. | Spire says it is expanding a financial assistance program for customers struggling to pay their bills because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Beginning Saturday, July 18, customers with household incomes up to 185% of the federal poverty level are eligible for the assistance. The company said it worked with the Missouri Public Service Commission to expand an existing program for low-income customers.
Spire will award funds through Sept. 30 or until the funds are exhausted. For more information, visit Spire's website.
1:15 p.m. | Kansas added a record 1,023 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, the first time the state has ever reported an increase larger than 1,000 cases in a single day.
Kansas has seen a surge of 2,291 new cases since Friday, according to information from state and local health departments.
With new data reported in Kansas on Monday, the number of cases in the seven-county Kansas City metro, which includes four counties in Missouri, now exceeds 13,000.
11:55 a.m. | The Mid-Continent Public Library's Raytown branch will resume limited services on Monday after a professional deep cleaning. The branch had closed July 6 after a staff member tested positive for the virus. The branch will offer curbside pickup only with limited hours of 1-6 p.m.
11:15 a.m. | Kansas City, Kansas, Community College has released its guidelines for the fall semester, which include four ways for courses to be held. More information can be found on the college's website.
11:10 a.m. | Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly will not hold her usual press briefing on Monday but will hold one on Wednesday afternoon. Dr. Lee Norman, secretary for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, and Randy Watson, Kansas commissioner of education, will join Kelly at Wednesday's briefing.
Kansas is expected to release its guidance for schools to reopen in the fall on Wednesday.
10:48 a.m. | After being closed an extra six weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kansas City, Missouri, Parks and Recreation Department plans to open two pools to the public.
The Gorman Pool, 1101 N.E. 47th St., and Grove Pool, at the southeast corner of Truman Road and Benton Boulevard, will open beginning at noon Monday.
The pools will be open every day for three two-hour sessions — from noon to 2 p.m., 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. with time set aside to clean between sessions. Each session costs $3 per person and will be limited to 60 people at the Grove Pool and 100 at the Gorman Pool.
Patrons will be required to wear a mask when not swimming and the pool’s furniture won’t be available, though guests can bring their own.
10:07 a.m. | The Friends of the Zoo Board of Directors initially postponed Jazzoo 2020, which is the Kansas City Zoo’s largest annual fundraiser, until August, but it’s now been canceled “to protect the health and safety of our guests, employees, and community.”
The Board announced the decision Monday with Kansas City Zoo Executive Director and CEO Randy Wisthoff calling it “disappointing ... even if it is the best decision given the current situation in our community” in a statement.
People who already purchased a ticket should check their email for information on how to convert the ticket cost to a donation or request a refund.
Jazzoo 2021 will be June 4 next year.
9:58 a.m. | The Kansas State Fair was officially canceled on Monday due to COVID-19. The State Fair Board voted 13-0 to cancel the 10-day fair scheduled for September.
8:55 a.m. | Starlight is partnering with the Community Blood Center and other Swope Park area businesses to host a blood drive on July 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It will take place at the Applause Club at Starlight and is accessible through Gate 8. Donors will be required to wear masks. Appointments are encouraged and can be made online at savealifenow.org/group and enter Group Code: EG9Z, or call 1-877-468-6844.
8:50 a.m. | University of Kansas Health System officials gave their daily COVID-19 update.
8 a.m. | Kansas State University has signed an agreement with Tonix Pharmaceuticals to develop a COVID-19 vaccine. It is the fourth coronavirus-related contract being worked on by the university.
7:20 a.m. | Just starting your day? We’ve got you covered with a quick look at what you need to know.
5:30 a.m. | The Kansas City, Missouri, Health Department, and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services are holding a three-day COVID-19 testing event for Missouri residents beginning Monday. Testing will be held at the Homefield Sports Facility from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Wednesday. Up to 2,000 tests are available by appointment. As of Sunday night, only about 400 spots remained open, according to the city.
Any Missouri resident over the age of seven can be tested by registering online or by calling 877-435-8411
5 a.m. | The chances of the Kansas State Fair being held this year are looking less likely after a large number of vendors backed out or expressed trepidation.
The Hutchinson News reports that the fair's board will meet Monday to reconsider its decision to hold the event in September.
Previous coverage:
March 2020 updates
April 2020 updates
May 2020 updates
June 2020 updates
Wednesday, July 1
Thursday, July 2
Friday, July 3
Monday, July 6
Tuesday, July 7
Wednesday, July 8
Thursday, July 9
Friday, July 10
