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.
Updates on the spread of the virus and how it is affecting the metro can be found below for March 18.
41 Action News will continue with its daily blog on Thursday.
10:20 p.m. | Kansas City, Missouri, native and actor Eric Stonestreet will donate 200,000 meals to Harvesters.
10 p.m. | Metropolitan Community College spring break has been extended through March 29. The colleges will begin remote learning and remote student services March 30. Those will continue until at least April 10.
8:34 p.m. | A third case of COVID-19 has been reported in Eastern Jackson County, according to the Jackson County Health Department. The individual is a man in his 70s who had not recently traveled.
7:22 p.m. | The Wyandotte County Public Health Department reports seven confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 4 p.m. Wednesday.
6:15 p.m. | Missouri state health officials said there are now 24 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state.
6:01 p.m. | Grab-and-go breakfast and lunch will be available for all children 18 or younger through the Bonner Springs/Edwardsville Unified School District 204 beginning March 24 at Bonner Springs Elementary School, 212 S. Neconi in Bonner Springs, and the Edwardsville Community Center, 696 S. 3rd St. in Edwardsville.
Children must be present and pickup times are from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
6 p.m. | The KC Auto Museum will closed through at least March 31.
5:28 p.m. | State courts in Kansas are under an emergency operations for at least two weeks. The Kansas State Supreme Court issued the order Wednesday afternoon, noting that the only exception is "jury trials that are currently under way."
5:27 p.m. | Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools will begin breakfast and lunch distribution Monday, March 23, at four locations across Wyandotte County via curbside pickup:
- Arrowhead Middle School, 1715 N. 82nd Street
- Wyandotte High School, 2501 Minnesota Avenue
- F.L. Schlagle High School, 2214 N. 59th Street
- J.C. Harmon High School. 2400 Steele Road
Pickup times will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday through Friday. Parents must have the children, who must be 18 or younger, present to receive the food.
5:22 p.m. | Kansas has new guidance for workers impacted by COVID-19 who may be in need of financial assistance. More information is available at GetKansasBenefits.gov.
4:55 p.m. | Washington University in St. Louis said that four members of the university community have tested positive for COVID-19, including two physicians at the School of Medicine. The physicians are quarantined and are not currently working with patients, according to the university. The other two cases are undergraduate students who were studying abroad in Denmark. Both students are in quarantine out-of-state and receiving care.
4:45 p.m. | The Kansas Department of Health and Environment said it will now mandate 14-day home quarantines for Kansans who traveled to a state with "known widespread community transmission" on or after March 15. Those states currently include California, Florida, New York and Washington state. The mandate also includes those who traveled by cruise; those who traveled internationally; and those who traveled to Eagle, Summit, Pitkin and Gunnison counties in Colorado.
4:35 p.m. | The Kansas State High School Activities Association has canceled all spring championships, competitions and festivals for the remainder of the school year.
3:45 p.m. | Missouri Governor Mike Parson announced the state's first COVID-19 death. It was a patient out of Boone County. The case was travel-related.
3:28 p.m. | J.C. Penney Company has announced that all stores and business offices will temporarily close starting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday through at least April 7. Customers may continue shopping online.
3:08 p.m. | The Belton Emergency Management Agency, or BEMA, has established limited delivery service for the elderly and those with special needs. The service is available for Belton residents only.
Relying on family and friends remains the preferred choice, but for those unable to obtain necessary items should contact the Belton Police Department's non-emergency number at 816-331-5522.
Deliveries can be scheduled for 5 to 8 p.m. on Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends.
2:36 p.m. | All Hy-Vee stores will reserve the 7 to 8 a.m. timeframe for high-risk shoppers. Only people over 60 years old, pregnant women and those with underlying conditions will be allowed to shop during that time.
2:22 p.m. | Harrisonville Schools announced that it will provide free "to-go" breakfast and lunch for all children under the age of 18 free of charge through at least April 3 at the following locations:
- Walmart parking lot, 1700 N. Missouri 291
- Sutherlands parking lot, 2200 S. Commercial St.
- Harrisonville United Methodist Church parking lot, 2600 E. Mechanic St.
- Harrisonville High School, 1504 E. Elm St.
- McEowen Elementary School, 1901 S. Halsey St.
- Harrisonville Elementary School, 101 Megan Drive
Meals may be picked up between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. each day.
Children must be present at the pickup to receive the meals, per federal regulations. Anyone wishing to take advantage of the meals must register each child online by 8 a.m. on Friday for Monday meal service.
For those without access to transportation, please complete the form linked above and an alternate plan will be formulated.
Questions should be directed to Assistant Superintendent Jason Eggers at jason.eggers@harrisonvilleschools.org.
2:14 p.m. | All B&B Theatres nationwide will close until further notice.
2:07 p.m. | Kansas City, Missouri, officials confirmed the first two cases of COVID-19 in the city. The two patients are being isolated at their homes. The cases do not appear to be related.
2:01 p.m. | The NFL announced that it will make its NFL Game Pass service free through May 31 in the U.S. It will be free to fans outside the U.S. and Canada through July 31.
1:56 p.m. | The U.S. Census Bureau has suspended all field operations until at least April 1.
1:25 p.m. | The man who tested positive for COVID-19 at a Kansas City VA Medical Center outpatient clinic is confirmed to be the fifth case in Wyandotte County. He is a man in his 60s and is isolated at home and doing well, according to a health department official.
1:03 p.m. | The Leavenworth County Health Department confirmed its first two cases of COVID-19, a 40-something patient who recently traveled abroad and a female in her 20s who had not traveled recently. Both individuals are under quarantine at their homes with family.
12:59 p.m. | General Motors confirmed it will begin shuttering all manufacturing plants, including the Fairfax Assembly and Stamping Plant, through at least March 30.
12:43 p.m. | Kansas City Public Schools announced that students in the district may pick up sack lunches and meal kits.
Students should bring their student ID, but staff also can look up students if needed. Pickup times will be from 7 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 6 p.m. on March 24, March 26, March 30 and April 1 at the following locations:
- Northeast High School, 415 Van Brunt Blvd.
- Central High School, 3221 Indiana Ave.
- East High School, 1924 Van Brunt Blvd.
- African-Centered College Preparatory Academy-Lower Campus, 6410 Swope Parkway
KCPS also has established a special sign-up for students needing direct meal delivery, including those experiencing homelessness and students in special education programs. Email food@kckpublicschools.org or call 816-418-3663 for home delivery.
12:36 p.m. | Beginning March 24, the Shawnee Mission School District will offer free breakfast and lunch for children ages 1 to 18 years old at four locations without reservations.
Children must be present to receive the food, which can be picked outside the front drive of the following schools between 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. on Monday through Friday:
- Comanche Elementary, 8200 Grant St. in Overland Park
- Rosehill Elementary, 9801 Rosehill Road in Lenexa
- Shawanoe Elementary, 11230 W 75th St. in Shawnee
- Hocker Grove Middle School, 10400 Johnson Drive in Shawnee
One breakfast and lunch per child present will be placed on a table for individual pickup. For more information, contact the SMSD Food Services Department at 913-993-9710 or send email to foodservice@smsd.org.
12:26 p.m. | Hen House in Corinth Square and Prairie Village announced reduced store hours from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. The first hour from 6 to 7 a.m. will be reserved for seniors and shoppers with disabilities or underlying health conditions.
12:26 p.m. | Hen House in Corinth Square and Prairie Village announced reduced store hours from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. The first hour from 6 to 7 a.m. will be reserved for seniors and shoppers with disabilities or underlying health conditions.
12:25 p.m. | All Missouri Department of Conservation nature, visitor and education centers will close March 19 until at least April 15. Outdoor trails remain open. The closures include Burr Oak Woods Nature Center in Blue Springs and the Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
12:19 p.m. | All Kansas City, Kansas, Public Library locations will be closed until at least April 6. Checkout dates for items currently on loan are extended until April 6, and digital products and services remain available at ecommunity.kckpl.org.
11:48 a.m. | Johnson County officials announced another person tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the county total to 12.
11:44 a.m. | The Big Three automakers have announced plans to shut down manufacturing plants amid worker concerns related to the COVID-19 outbreak.
11:44 a.m. | The Big Three automakers have announced plans to shut down manufacturing plants amid worker concerns related to the COVID-19 outbreak.
11:23 a.m. | The Truman Library Institute has postponed the annual Wild About Harry dinner, which had been scheduled for April 23. A new date hopefully will be announced soon.
11:21 a.m. | The Olathe Police Department may take reports via telephone for non-emergency matters in an effort to limit community exposure for its officers and the general public. The Olathe PD non-emergency line is 913-782-0720.
11:21 a.m. | The Olathe Police Department may take reports via telephone for non-emergency matters in an effort to limit community exposure for its officers and the general public. The Olathe PD non-emergency line is 913-782-0720.
10:50 a.m. | The Kansas City VA Medical Center says a patient tested positive for COVID-19 on March 18 after being evaluated at an outpatient clinic on March 12. The patient, a Wyandotte County veteran who showed respiratory symptoms, has been self-quarantined at home since March 12. The patient is doing well and has not required hospitalization.
10:50 a.m. | The Kansas City VA Medical Center says a patient tested positive for COVID-19 on March 18 after being evaluated at an outpatient clinic on March 12. The patient, a Wyandotte County veteran who showed respiratory symptoms, has been self-quarantined at home since March 12. The patient is doing well and has not required hospitalization.
10:45 a.m. | KSDK in St. Louis reports that Mayor Lyda Krewson has confirmed a second "presumptive positive" case of COVID-19 in the city. The person may have continued going to work while exhibiting symptoms, according to the report.
10:45 a.m. | KSDK in St. Louis reports that Mayor Lyda Krewson has confirmed a second "presumptive positive" case of COVID-19 in the city. The person may have continued going to work while exhibiting symptoms, according to the report.
10:35 a.m. | Some members of the Wichita City Council are self-quarantining after learning they attended a conference in Washington, D.C., last week with two people who tested positive for COVID-19. None of the City Council members have exhibited symptoms. Kansas City, Missouri, City Council members who attended the same conference also are self-quarantining.
10:35 a.m. | Some members of the Wichita City Council are self-quarantining after learning they attended a conference in Washington, D.C., last week with two people who tested positive for COVID-19. None of the City Council members have exhibited symptoms. Kansas City, Missouri, City Council members who attended the same conference also are self-quarantining.
10:30 a.m. | The Western Athletic Conference, which includes the University of Missouri-Kansas City, has canceled all competition and championships through the end of the academic year, including spring sports that continue after the end of the year.
10:30 a.m. | The Western Athletic Conference, which includes the University of Missouri-Kansas City, has canceled all competition and championships through the end of the academic year, including spring sports that continue after the end of the year.
10:15 a.m. | The Blue Springs School District says it is working to put together learning packets for grades pre-K through fifth grade. School in the Missouri district has been canceled through at least April 6, but across the state line Kansas has canceled all in-person classes through the end of the year.
10:03 a.m. | Kansas State announced that the season ticket priority deadline for the fall season has been extended to May 1. The deadline originally was April 17, and K-State also announced a new three-month payment option.
10:03 a.m. | Kansas State announced that the season ticket priority deadline for the fall season has been extended to May 1. The deadline originally was April 17, and K-State also announced a new three-month payment option.
10:00 a.m. | Missouri Gov. Mike Parson ordered all state municipal elections scheduled for April 7 to be postponed until June 2.
10:00 a.m. | Missouri Gov. Mike Parson ordered all state municipal elections scheduled for April 7 to be postponed until June 2.
9:45 a.m. | Those who have court hearings scheduled in Missouri circuit courts can find their new hearings dates at courts.mo.gov/casenet.
9:45 a.m. | Those who have court hearings scheduled in Missouri circuit courts can find their new hearings dates at courts.mo.gov/casenet.
9:35 a.m. | School districts in Kansas and Missouri are working to deliver lunches to students who are out of school due to COVID-19. The Lawrence and Lee's Summit school districts said on social media that they are working to deliver the meals to students who depend on them.
8:56 a.m. | Westwood, Kansas, announced Westwood City Hall and the Public Works building will be closed to the public. Business may be conducted over phone.
8:56 a.m. | Westwood, Kansas, announced Westwood City Hall and the Public Works building will be closed to the public. Business may be conducted over phone.
8:50 a.m. | Jackson County will limit public access to county offices. Assessment, collection and recorder of deeds offices at the courthouse will be closed. Parks and Recreation facilities are also closed through at least April 15. All Parks and Recreation activities are canceled through April 30.
8:50 a.m. | Jackson County will limit public access to county offices. Assessment, collection and recorder of deeds offices at the courthouse will be closed. Parks and Recreation facilities are also closed through at least April 15. All Parks and Recreation activities are canceled through April 30.
8:50 a.m. | Jackson County will limit public access to county offices. Assessment, collection and recorder of deeds offices at the courthouse will be closed. Parks and Recreation facilities are also closed through at least April 15. All Parks and Recreation activities are canceled through April 30.
Anyone who needs an in-person appointment with one of those offices should contact them by phone.
8:43 a.m. | Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly issued an executive order temporarily banning home evictions amid COVID-19 hardships. The order is in place through May 1 in order to help families who might not be able to make rent and mortgage payments because of the virus.
8:43 a.m. | Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly issued an executive order temporarily banning home evictions amid COVID-19 hardships. The order is in place through May 1 in order to help families who might not be able to make rent and mortgage payments because of the virus.
8:35 a.m. | Kansas City Council meetings will still take place, despite half of the council being self-quarantined for possible COVID-19 exposure. Anyone who wants to tune into the meetings can do so on the KCMO YouTube page and on the city website. The agendas for meetings are also posted online.
8:35 a.m. | Kansas City Council meetings will still take place, despite half of the council being self-quarantined for possible COVID-19 exposure. Anyone who wants to tune into the meetings can do so on the KCMO YouTube page and on the city website. The agendas for meetings are also posted online.
8:13 a.m. | A patient seen at Children's Mercy has tested positive for COVID-19, the hospital announced Wednesday. The patient was seen in the Emergency Department at the Adele Hall Campus on March 15. They are now self-quarantined at home.
8:13 a.m. | A patient seen at Children's Mercy has tested positive for COVID-19, the hospital announced Wednesday. The patient was seen in the Emergency Department at the Adele Hall Campus on March 15. They are now self-quarantined at home.
7:59 a.m. | Target announced all stores will close by 9 p.m. daily until further notice to help with cleaning and restocking. The first hour each Wednesday moving forward will be reserved for elderly shoppers or people with underlying health conditions.
7:59 a.m. | Target announced all stores will close by 9 p.m. daily until further notice to help with cleaning and restocking. The first hour each Wednesday moving forward will be reserved for elderly shoppers or people with underlying health conditions.
7:20 a.m. | Kansas Democrats announced every voter registered as a Democrat in the state will receive a ballot in the mail on March 30 for the May 2 Kansas Democratic Primary.
7:20 a.m. | Kansas Democrats announced every voter registered as a Democrat in the state will receive a ballot in the mail on March 30 for the May 2 Kansas Democratic Primary.
6:40 a.m. | Power Life Yoga at Zona Rosa announced they will stream their classes live on YouTube so those self-isolating can stay fit.
6:40 a.m. | Power Life Yoga at Zona Rosa announced they will stream their classes live on YouTube so those self-isolating can stay fit.
4:00 a.m. | REI Co-op in Overland Park announced an employee of the store tested positive for COVID-19. The employee last worked the week of March 9, before they were tested positive. The store will receive a deep cleaning before it reopens.
4:00 a.m. | REI Co-op in Overland Park announced an employee of the store tested positive for COVID-19. The employee last worked the week of March 9, before they were tested positive. The store will receive a deep cleaning before it reopens.
4:00 a.m. | REI Co-op in Overland Park announced an employee of the store tested positive for COVID-19. The employee last worked the week of March 9, before they were tested positive. The store will receive a deep cleaning before it reopens.
4:00 a.m. | REI Co-op in Overland Park announced an employee of the store tested positive for COVID-19. The employee last worked the week of March 9, before they were tested positive. The store will receive a deep cleaning before it reopens.
