KANSAS CITY, Mo. — We have been tracking the spread of COVID-19 in the Kansas City area since the start of the pandemic.
Whether it's stories about how we bounce back through our Rebound KC effort, important information as school resumes or critical information about the November election, trust 41 Action News to keep you informed.
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Updates on the spread of the virus and how it is affecting the metro can be found below for Oct. 12.
3:16 p.m. | Despite the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services’ blackout on reporting new COVID-19 cases through the official state dashboard, more than 1,000 new cases were confirmed Monday across the state.Even with many local health departments closed in observance of Columbus Day, there were 1,044 new cases reported by local health departments and one new death.
The state’s dashboard hasn’t been updated since it reportedly had a glitch Saturday. The issue may not be resolved until Wednesday morning, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Missouri has now surpassed 150,000 COVID-19 infections since the start of the pandemic with more than 2,500 deaths, according to the 41 Action News Daily COVID-19 Tracker.
Based on reporting in Kansas and Missouri, there were 825 new cases reported in the seven-county Kansas City area, which is the second most for any day during the pandemic. The record is 855 new cases last Friday. —TP
1:40 p.m. | The Kansas Department of Health and Environment and local health departments reported 1,761 newly confirmed COVID-19 cases and six additional deaths Monday, according to the 41 Action News Daily COVID-19 Tracker.
Four of those deaths were reported in Wyandotte County and the number of cases are the second most reported in a single day in state history. Last Friday’s total of 1,841 is the Kansas record.
KDHE’s report pushed Sedgwick County, which includes Wichita, above 10,000 cases since the start of the pandemic. Only Johnson County has more with 12,932. —TP
12:40 p.m. | The southeast branch of the Kansas City Public Library closed Monday morning after an employee tested positive for COVID-19.
The branch, located at 6242 Swope Pkwy., closed immediately and library staff were sent home.
A cleaning crew will sanitize the space, a library spokesperson said.
The employee worked the week of Oct. 5. Anyone who came into direct contact with them will be notified, though the spokesperson noted transmission risk is believed to be “extremely low” due to the safety protocols in place. — HG
10:47 a.m. | The University of Missouri volleyball team will have to wait just a little longer to begin the 2020 season, which has already been delayed two months and drastically shortened, after positive tests within the program forced several Tigers players into quarantine. —TP
10:22 a.m. | Johnson County Community College's Continuing Education branch is partnering with JOCO KS Works to provide workplace training for people who might have lost their job or been financially affected by COVID-19. The program is funded with CARES Act money to make the training free to Johnson County residents and businesses.
Individuals or businesses interested in the program can apply online. There are more than 350 courses available in a variety of categories. -KB
10 a.m. | Kansas City, Missouri, has several free COVID-19 testing events for residents this week. -KB
Think you were exposed to #COVID19 🦠 ?
Call @KCMO311 to schedule your COVID-19 testing appointment.
We have several testing sites this week & tests are FREE to @KCMO residents.
Limited walk-up tests available 9-11 a.m. (1st come, 1st served).https://t.co/yt54rjmO9x pic.twitter.com/W1y3lsnSkp
— KCMO Health Dept (@KCMOHealthDept) October 12, 2020
8:48 a.m. | University of Kansas Health System officials gave their daily COVID-19 update. -KB
7:30 a.m. | Just starting your day? We’ve got you covered with a quick look at what you need to know. -KB
7:15 a.m. | A special COVID-19 testing event is taking place Monday at Oak Grove Elementary in the Turner School District. Between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. any students and families in the school district can visit the elementary school to get tested for the virus.
This comes after the elementary was forced to return to online learning due to a virus outbreak last week. -KB
7 a.m. | The East Lee's Summit Branch of Mid-Continent Public Library closed abruptly Sunday when notified a staff member tested positive for COVID-19. The library is conducting contract tracing and attempting to notify customers who were in the building between Oct. 4 and Oct. 8.
Professional deep cleaning is taking place and employees who were potentially exposed are being screened and monitored.
A date for reopening has not been determined at this time. -KB
Previous coverage:
March 2020 updates
April 2020 updates
May 2020 updates
June 2020 updates
July 2020 updates
August 2020 updates
September 2020 updates
Thursday, Oct. 1
Friday, Oct. 2
Monday, Oct. 5
Tuesday, Oct. 6
Wednesday, Oct. 7
Thursday, Oct. 8
Friday, Oct. 9
