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 25.
4:50 p.m. | The Kansas City, Missouri, mayor and top health official are exploring the mandatory use of masks. Mayor Quinton Lucas said Thursday he is working with the city’s health director, Dr. Rex Archer, on what a requirement would look like.
4:30 p.m. | The Kansas City, Kansas, Municipal Court will be closed until at least July 6 following a potential COVID-19 exposure after its reopening on June 15. Those who had a court appearance, hearing or trial scheduled during the closure will be contacted by mail with a new court setting.
3:50 p.m. | The 51st annual Blue Springs Fall Fun Festival will be held virtually this year, being renamed the Blue Springs Un-Festival, Virtual Vendors and Local Food. The festival will be held Sept. 18-19. More details and vendor applications can be found on the festival's website.
3:40 p.m. | Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly said Thursday that Kansas food assistance recipients will soon have the option of purchasing groceries online using a Kansas Benefits Card, known as an EBT card. Testing of the new system is expected to be done this summer, with full implementation of online purchasing expected in September, according to the governor's office.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has presented enormous challenges – especially for our vulnerable families,” Kelly said in a news release. “We will continue to work with our federal and local partners to make critical resources – like food and nutrition – accessible, to keep families healthy and safe.”
2:30 p.m. | University of Missouri Athletics announced Thursday five athletes have tested positive for COVID-19.
In a tweet, Mizzou Athletics said the five athletes were part of a group of 308 athletes that have been tested since June 8.
1:37 p.m. | Jackson County, Missouri, reported three new deaths due to COVID-19 on Thursday, bringing the county tally to 36 deaths. Combined with data from the Kansas City Health Department, the Jackson County death toll is now 60.
As of Thursday, Missouri stands at 19,950 cases of COVID-19.
11:15 a.m. | Kansas City, Missouri, Councilman Brandon Ellington will partner with Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church and Harvesters Community Food Network for a food distribution on Thursday afternoon. The event will be held from 3-5 p.m. at Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, 3634 Brooklyn Ave., KCMO.
10:25 a.m. | The Town Center Plaza and Crossing in Leawood will hold a "drive-in" concert series on Thursday nights this summer.
Sunset Music Fest will be held in Town Center Plaza’s north parking lot. Music starts at 7 p.m. To adhere to social distancing guidelines, capacity will be limited.
Here is the concert lineup:
- July 23: The Zeros with The Suburbans
- July 30: Summer Breeze with Right on Red
- August 6: Rock Gods of KC with Quite Frankly
“A drive-in concert experience is our solution to providing a good time and sense of community while keeping everyone at a comfortable distance,” said Jacqueline Shrum, Town Center general manager. “We’ll adhere to CDC and local guidelines. As safety allows, concertgoers will also have the option to bring their lawn chair for a closer view to the stage.”
10:10 a.m. | HCA Midwest Health has launched a free health insurance hotline for those who had a change in their health insurance status due to loss of employment or other reasons related to the pandemic. Anyone who needs help finding health insurance coverage can call the free hotline at 833-867-8771 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. The hotline is managed by HCA Midwest's parent company, HCA Healthcare.
9:30 a.m. | Free COVID-19 testing is being offered at the DeLaSalle Education Center from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and is strongly encouraged for anyone who participated in protests in recent weeks.
8:52 a.m. | University of Kansas Health System officials gave their daily COVID-19 update.
7:35 a.m. | Another 1.5 million Americans filed for unemployment last week, which brings the pandemic total to 46.5 million filings so far.
7:30 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. | New York, Connecticut and New Jersey asked Wednesday for travelers from states with high coronavirus infection rates to go into quarantine for 14 days in a bid to preserve hard-fought gains as caseloads rise elsewhere in the country, according to the Associated Press.
What was presented as a “travel advisory” that starts Thursday affects three adjacent Northeastern states that managed to check the spread of the virus this spring as New York City became a hot spot for the pandemic.
5 a.m. | According to the FTC, consumers in Missouri lost $561,000, while those in Kansas reported losses of $711,000 to COVID-19 scams since January.
That number only reflects the cases that were actually reported, meaning losses could be even greater.
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
Wednesday, June 17
Thursday, June 18
Friday, June 19
Monday, June 22
Tuesday, June 23
Wednesday, June 24
