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 June 17.
5:15 p.m. | Norwegian Cruise Line says it is extending the suspension of its 2020 cruises to include all sailing through Aug. 31, all sailing in September except Seattle-based Alaska Cruises, and select October sailing. Guests have the option to receive a refund or a cruise credit for a future trip.
4:05 p.m. | Johnson County health officials say they do not recommend wearing gloves as a preventive measure against the coronavirus. In a letter, the experts say those who interact with the public while working in restaurants or grocery stores should not wear gloves because it can lead to increased transmission.
"Using the same gloves over and over between completing tasks of serving customers is the equivalent of not washing your hands in between completing those tasks and serving those customers. Instead, it is increasing the chance of transmission each time," the letter says.
Employees should wear gloves as they would normally, such as to prepare or handle food or when working with chemicals.
The letter was signed by Dr. Sanmi Areola, director of the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment; Dr. Ryan Jacobsen, medical director of the Johnson County Emergency Medical System; and Dr. Joseph LeMaster, Johnson County local health officer.
5:46 p.m. | Overland Park will put on its annual July 4 fireworks display at Corporate Woods Founders’ Park, but there won't be the usual festivities surrounding it.
There will be no live music, beer vendors or food trucks.
The public may view the fireworks-only display, which will start around 9:45 p.m., from the park’s lawn. Visitors are asked to bring a chair or blanket and observe social-distancing guidelines from other families.
If it rains on Independence Day, the fireworks will be rescheduled for July 5.
The city also reminded Overland Park residents that municipal code prohibits fireworks unless they are part of an approved display.
3 p.m. | The Kansas Department of Health and Environment altered its quarantined list on Wednesday.
KDHE added three states to its list: Alabama, Arizona and Arkansas.
Any Kansan who has traveled to one of those states on or after June 17 is asked to quarantine for 14 days.
2:40 p.m. | The coronavirus pandemic continues to force the cancellation of many of the Kansas City area’s summer events.
Prairie Village officials announced Wednesday that the 2020 Prairie Village Jazz Festival will be postponed until 2021.
Despite being held outdoors at Harmon Park, organizers said what makes the event great — the intimacy of the park — is what forced them to evaluate the safety of this year’s event.
2:20 p.m. | The Johnson County Old Settler’s Association announced Wednesday the 2020 Old Settler’s event scheduled for September has been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In a post on Facebook, organizers described the decision as “difficult.”
1:18 p.m. | There has been one additional death connected with COVID-19 in Johnson County, bringing the total since the start of the pandemic to 73. Only Wyandotte County has reported more coronavirus-related deaths in Kansas (76).
Sixty of the deaths in Johnson County have occurred at long-term care facilities, according to the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment.
Overall, state and local health departments reported 209 new COVID-19 cases, which is the fifth-most reported for any day this month.
12:30 p.m. | About one-third of the 123,000 jobs lost in the Kansas City, Missouri, area due to the COVID-19 pandemic could return by the end of 2020, according to predictions from the Mid-America Regional Council.
11:05 a.m. | Four more Kansas State football players have tested positive for COVID-19, according to a report from The Mercury in Manhattan.
With the four new cases, a total of six Wildcats players who were tested for the virus upon returning to campus earlier this month have now tested positive.
11 a.m. | Saint Luke's Health System will furlough a "limited number" of employees for 90 days and cut salaries for senior leadership, part of cost-saving measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
9:47 a.m. | Nurses at Research Medical Center and Menorah Medical Center are planning a protest Wednesday night about reductions in staffing. The nurses say the cuts put patients in danger, especially those with COVID-19 critical care. The nurses also say the cuts will disproportionately impact Black and Latinx patients and nurses.
The protest will take place at Research Medical Center at 6 p.m.
9:12 a.m. | The Royals Charities 5K and 10K run and walk will be virtual this year. The event will take place on Aug. 1 and registration is now open online.
Registration is officially open for our 𝐕𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐔𝐀𝐋 5K & 10K Run/Walk presented by @my_pricechopper on August 1, 2020 🏃
Registered participants will receive a t-shirt, swag items, and gain access to virtual and printable resources! 🌟
↪️ https://t.co/fdAFc0Waos pic.twitter.com/uiUUB61FFU
— Royals Charities (@royalscharities) June 17, 2020
9 a.m. | KC Live! in the Power and Light District announced it will open on Wednesday with socially distanced seating and contactless ordering. Live music will return to the district and several restaurants will be open again. Those include McFadden's, The Shandy Bar, County Road Ice House, Johnny's Tavern, The Dubliner and the KC Live! Living Room Bar. PBR Big Sky will open on Thursday and Shark Bar on Friday.
8:48 a.m. | University of Kansas Health System officials gave their daily COVID-19 update. They said 18 patients are in the system with the virus; six of those are in the ICU on ventilators.
7:30 a.m. | Just starting your day? We’ve got you covered with a quick look at what you need to know.
6:08 a.m. | This year's Go Red for Women luncheon for the American Heart Association will be virtual because of COVID-19 concerns. The event starts online at noon and will be emceed by 41 Action News anchor Dia Wall.
5 a.m. | Kansas City, Missouri, city officials are asking all city departments to project what a 4.5 percent budget cutwould look like as they try to find ways to save money in the wake of economic fallout from COVID-19.
Previous coverage:
March 2020 updates
April 2020 updates
May 2020 updates
Monday, June 1
Tuesday, June 2
Wednesday, June 3
Thursday, June 4
Friday, June 5
Monday, June 8
Tuesday, June 9
Wednesday, June 10
Thursday, June 11
Friday, June 12
Monday, June 15
Tuesday, June 16
