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.
We are also keeping track of which metro jurisdictions are under stay at home orders for the foreseeable future, only allowing for essential business and activities.
We've also compiled a detailed list of school district meal service options while schools are closed.
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 March 26.
8:41 p.m. | The Kansas City, Missouri, Health Department has announced that it will be closed Friday, March 27, to review and updated its screening procedures related to COVID-19.
The Health Department expects to reopen Monday, March 30, and advises that people needing to reschedule appointments call 816-513-6008 next week.
7:41 p.m. | Beauty Brands, which is headquartered in Kansas City, announced Thursday that it has "made the difficult decision to temporarily close all of our ... locations until further notice."
Saying it was in the best interest of the communities and assosicates who work at its stores, Beauty Brands will continue retail services online with free shipping on orders of at least $15.
7:25 p.m. | A member of the Overland Park Fire Department tested positive for COVID-19. The employee is being treated at a hospital.
A fire department news release states the employee is an administrative staff member and not usually involved with emergency response or patient care.
The exposure is not believed to be work-related.
6:18 p.m. | President Donald Trump has approved Missouri's declaration as a federal major disaster Thursday night.
5:45 p.m. | Kansas City, Missouri, officials say 58 people have tested positive for COVID-19, an increase of seven patients from Wednesday.
5:20 p.m. | Blade & Timber will partner with J. Rieger & Co. to distribute the distillery's hand sanitizer with pickup at its Town Center location. For more details, click here.
5:05 p.m. | KC Water will waive late fees on bills in April and May. It has also temporarily stopped water shut-offs due to non-payment.
5 p.m. | By late Thursday afternoon, the number of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. had surpassed that of both Italy and China, according to data kept by Johns Hopkins University. The United States has reported more than 82,000 cases and more than 1,100 deaths.
2:24 p.m. | The Kansas City, Missouri, Fire Department confirmed Thursday that one of its firefightershas tested positive COVID-19. The firefighter has quarantined at home and has not required hospitalization.
The firefighter informed a KCFD representative March 20 about feeling ill and was tested. The positive test came back Wednesday.
2:22 p.m. | The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Missouri has surged past 500, while new data from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment indicates nearly 170 positive COVID-19 cases in the state.
1:35 p.m. | Kansas City, Kansas, police have set up a hotline where residents can report businesses that are not complying with the metro's stay at home order.
1:25 p.m. | The running of the Indianapolis 500, usually held Memorial Day weekend in May, has been pushed back to Sunday, Aug. 23.
1 p.m. | Wright County, Missouri, announced its first case of COVID-19, bringing the state total to 385.
12:25 p.m. | Boone County, Missouri, confirms nine new cases of COVID-19 there. In Missouri, the state total has increased to 384 cases.
12:12 p.m. | Cole County, Missouri, reports three new cases of COVID-19, bringing the state total to 375.
11:50 a.m. | The Department of Homeland Security has delayed the implementation of new Real ID requirements by a full year until Oct. 1, 2021.
11:45 a.m. | The Salvation Army in Kansas City has opened a new spiritual care hotline. Nine chaplains will be available to offer support and encouragement to those who need it. People can call the hotline at 816-968-0497 or email WePray@usc.salvationarmy.org.
11:30 a.m. | Wyandotte County has confirmed seven new cases of COVID-19, bringing the county total to 34 and the state total to 143. In the Kansas City metro, the number of cases now stands at 180.
11:25 a.m. | The Sedgwick County Health Department says it has identified 13 cases of COVID-19. On Thursday morning, Riley County also reported its first case of COVID-19, bringing the Kansas total to 136 cases.
11:15 a.m. | Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools plans to expand its meal pickup with two new locations beginning Monday, March 30:
- Rosedale Middle School, 3600 Springfield St.;
- Banneker Elementary School, 2026 N. 4th St.
11 a.m. | The Garmin Marathon, scheduled for April 18, will shift to a virtual marathon option. Runners can do their race whenever they want and share their experience using the #GarminVirtual hashtag on social media.
10:30 a.m. | If you're just getting a start on the day, here's what you need to know to get going.
10 a.m. | Johnson County, Kansas, health officials reported four new COVID-19 cases, pushing the county's total to 50.
9:38 a.m. | Children's Mercy will begin serving free lunches for children on March 26. The meals will be free, grab-n-go sack lunches. They're availablee from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Children's Mercy Broadway Clinics and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Children's Mercy Don Chisholm Building.
9:18 a.m. | Officials are reminding the public that use of parks is still allowed, just with some restrictions. Groups of 10 or more are not permitted, and visitors must practice social distancing. Playgrounds are off limit because of how many children touch the surfaces.
9:17 a.m. | High demand because of COVID-19 has seen prices for a dozen white eggs skyrocket. Most prices have increased around 55 percent.
9:07 a.m. | The Kansas City Symphony announced there will be no changes to player salaries, despite the cancellation or postponement of more than 20 concerts due to COVID-19.
8:20 a.m. | HCA Midwest Health has added new services to help battle COVID-19. A free online screening is now available for anyone who wants to know if they should see a health care provider about potentially having the virus. Patients can also use the Care Navigator for $25 virtual health visits, which are not billed through insurance.
7:45 a.m. | The Labor Department saw an additional 3 million people seeking unemployment claims last week — the highest increase of unemployment claims the Labor Department has recorded since it began measuring seasonal unemployment.
7:29 a.m. | Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas introduced an ordinance that would extending the city earnings tax deadline, provided the City Council approves it at Thursday's meeting. The ordinance would move the deadline from April 15 to July 15. The state and federal tax dates have already been pushed back to July.
7:14 a.m. | Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker is staying in shape despite social distancing. The star player posted a video of him practicing field goals, while practicing social distancing, of course.
Enjoying the ☀️ in KC! #lovemyjob 🏈 pic.twitter.com/ITqX33ImC7
— Harrison Butker (@buttkicker7) March 25, 2020
6:43 a.m. | Johns Hopkins University reports U.S. COVID-19 deaths have passed the 1,000 person threshold. New York state makes up the biggest portion of that number, with 280 deaths.
6:30 a.m. | Missouri-based Anheuser-Busch is switching from beer production to hand sanitizer production to help with the COVID-19 pandemic. The company is working with the Red Cross to determine where the product should go.
5:50 a.m. | A local web design firm is offering free website design to small businesses in the metro closed by COVID-19. The effort is being made in order to help small businesses weather the pandemic. Anyone interested should visit the Morgansites website.
5:25 a.m. | The Senate passed the COVID-19 stimulus bill late Wednesday night. The bill will provide $2 trillion in relief to Americans struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill now moves to the House.
5 a.m. | Hy-Vee is distributing bonuses to all employees working on the front-line during the COVID-19 pandemic. The employees will receive a 10% bonus on every hour worked from March 16 to April 12. Both part-time and full-time employees are eligible and will receive the bonuses on April 17.
Previous coverage:
Monday, March 16
Tuesday, March 17
Wednesday, March 18
Thursday, March 19
Friday, March 20
Saturday, March 21
Sunday, March 22
Monday, March 23
Tuesday, March 24
Wednesday, March 25
