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.
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 May 11.
6:50 p.m. | Johnson County resumed visitation at both of its detention centers on Monday. All visitors need to wear some form of face covering while in the facility.
5:45 p.m. | Nearly 700 inmates at the Lansing Correctional Facility tested positive for COVID-19, and 86% showed no symptoms. The state finished testing all of the inmates at the facility last week and released the results on Monday.
5 p.m. | Jackson County published the results of a surveytaken by 9,500 residents. Among the major takeaways was that the vast majority of residents would agree to wear masks in public, if required.
4 p.m. | In Platte County, 500 COVID-19 tests will be administered this week. The state of Missouri is working in conjunction with Saint Luke’s Health System, the Platte County Health Department and the state lab.
3:20 p.m. | Oak Park Mall plans to reopen to the public beginning Wednesday, May 13. Hours will be 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.
The mall will encourage social distancing and will not allow groups of 10 or more to congregate in common areas. All mall events are canceled or postponed until further notice.
The mall also plans to check the temperatures of all mall management, security and janitorial staff at the beginning of their shifts. Anyone with a fever of 100.4 degrees or higher will need to return home and contact their health care provider.
For a list of retailers and restaurants that are open, click here.
3:10 p.m. | As stay-at-home orders begin to lift, Wayside Waifs says it will continue to run shelter services by appointment only. Anyone without an appointment will not be allowed to enter the main shelter building. The Bark Park will reopen to those patrons, though social distancing must be maintained. All staff and visitors must wear face masks, social distance and wash hands frequently.
2:45 p.m. | Major League Baseball owners have given the go-ahead to make a proposal to the players’ union that could lead to the coronavirus-delayed season starting around the Fourth of July weekend in ballparks without fans, a person familiar with the decision told the Associated Press.
2:10 p.m. | Blue Springs ReStore will reopen on May 13, according to a news release. Drop-off donations will be accepted, but donation pick ups are not being scheduled.
1:43 p.m. | Swope Health will perform COVID-19 testing from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday at the Kansas City Public Library’s Southeast Branch, 6242 Swope Parkway in Kansas City, Missouri.
The free tests are available to individuals experiencing symptoms — including a cough, fever, headache, tiredness, muscle aches, or the loss of taste and smell — as well as anyone who’s had close contact with a confirmed positive patient or is considered high-risk for complications.
1:38 p.m. | The Friends of Johnson County Library have resumed online sales of donated items and other books weeded from the library’s collection.
The libraries are not accepting donations again yet, but that will be phased in as the reopening process continues.
Book drops will resume May 18 at the Blue Valley, Lenexa City Center and Monticello branches. The library system also will begin accepting holds on materials online with drive-thru windows expected to open May 26 at those branches.
1:27 p.m. | Missouri will receive more than $17.9 million and Kansas will receive more than $7.8 million in the third wave of federal Community Development Block Grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through the CARES Act.
It’s part of a $1 billion nationwide allocation to help meet basic needs, including but not limited to rent and mortgage payments, for low-income families, the elderly and children and to assist in efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19.
1:11 p.m. | Nebraska Furniture Mart plans to reopen May 18 subject to Restart WyCo guidelines, which have resulted in several changes at Legends Outlets Kansas City “will implement many new social distancing and community safety measures” as it reopens in Kansas City, Kansas.
Some stores there are reopening this week.
There will be new signs to encourage social-distancing and retailers/restaurants will have new guidelines to follow to keep people at least six feet apart.
No touch steps and pulls have been added to all bathroom doors, while upper levels of the parking garage have been closed.
12:58 p.m. | The University of St. Mary has joined other local colleges in announcing plans to resume in-person classes next fall, though it may adjust the start of the fall semester.
Social-distancing, mask recommendations and other COVID-19 mitigation strategies are being discussed and students, faculty and staff in high-risk groups “will be provided reasonable accommodations,” according to a release from the school.
Elevators, escalators and drinking fountains also have been closed, while free temperature checks, hand sanitizer, masks and wipes will be available for guests and employees.
12:52 p.m. | The latest update from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment puts the total of COVID-19 cases in the state at 7,137.
That update also put the Kansas City metro area over the 4,000 threshold.
12:50 p.m. | Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas has released further guidelines for restaurants and other non-essential businesses that will be allowed to reopen beginning Friday, May 15.
11:35 a.m. | According to updated reporting from local health departments, Missouri has surpassed 500 deaths in the state from COVID-19 and Kansas health departments now report at least 170 deaths.
10:18 a.m. | Weston Bend State Park and Watkins Woolen Mill State Historic Site and Park open on Monday. Strict social distancing guidelines will be in place and staff will monitor how many people are visiting the parks.
10:11 a.m. | Johnson County Child Care licensing will hold a Zoom meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday to give an overview of how childcare will be affected by the reopening plan.
JoCo Child Care Licensing will be holding a Zoom meeting with providers Tuesday, May 12 at 6:30 PM. This meeting will give providers a review of the county reopening plan and additional guidance for child care.
Please check your provider email to register for the Zoom meeting. pic.twitter.com/7C8dxaSqqG
— JCDHE (@JOCOHealth) May 11, 2020
8:43 a.m. | Officials with the University of Kansas Health System gave their daily COVID-19 update.
7:36 a.m. | Just starting your day? We’ve got you covered with a quick look at what you need to know.
7:15 a.m. | The U.S. Census typically asks people where they live on April 1, but that questions might be tricky for those displaced by COVID-19. For example, many college students had to move back home or others fled virus hot spots.
6:30 a.m. | Dozens of U.S. citizens and businesses are suing China over the spread of COVID-19, according to the Associated Press.
5:20 a.m. | Mid-Continent Public Library branches will begin accepting returned items to book drops beginning Monday, May 11. On May 18, the library will launch curbside service, allowing customers to pick up physical items they have on hold.
5:15 a.m. | The Missouri State Highway Patrol will begin to reopen offices for driving testing services Monday. A complete list of offices and hours of operation is available on the MSHP website.
5:05 a.m. | Wyandotte County will move to phase one of its reopening plan, also known as the "Red Zone," on Monday.
5 a.m. | Johnson County, Kansas, willbegin a phased reopening on Monday. The county is one of the last Kansas City metro area jurisdictions to begin the process.
Johnson County Motor Vehicle Offices will reopen to the public May 11 in a limited capacity from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays.
Previous coverage:
March 2020 updates
April 2020 updates
Friday, May 1
Saturday, May 2
Sunday, May 3
Monday, May 4
Tuesday, May 5
Wednesday, May 6
Thursday, May 7
Friday, May 8
Saturday, May 9
Sunday, May 10
Editor's note: A previous version of the blog listed that bd's Mongolian Grill in Overland Park and Independence would donate 100 percent of the proceeds from the first day back in business to local hospitals. That fundraiser has been postponed.
