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 Sept. 2.
4:50 p.m. | Johnson County schools will receive thousands of saliva tests in the next few weeks for students and staff, according to the county health department.
The Johnson County Department of Health and Environment said it expects to have access to “several thousands tests,” which will allow “on demand” testing in schools to monitor the spread of the virus, according to a news release. —AW
3:45 p.m. | Missouri reported 1,503 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, the most new cases in one day since last Friday. The state also reported 28 additional deaths.
In the seven-county Kansas City metro, 508 new cases of the virus were reported Wednesday. Johnson, Wyandotte and Cass counties also each reported on additional death. —AW
3:15 p.m. | The Jackson County Health Department will hold three testing clinics next week. People do not need to show symptoms to be eligible for the testing.
The clinics will be held at these dates and times:
- Wednesday, Sept. 9: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Oak Grove Fieldhouse, 1300 E. White Road, Oak Grove
- Thursday, Sept. 10: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Vesper Hall, 400 NW Vesper St., Blue Springs
- Friday, Sept. 11: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Raytown EMS, 10020 E. 66th Terrace, Raytown
Testing will not be provided during the lunch hour from 11:50 a.m. to 12:50 p.m.
For more information and to register for the testing, visit the health department's website. —AW
1:16 p.m. | Kansas reported 966 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, according to information from state and local health departments.
It marks the first time fewer than 1,000 new cases have been reported on a day the Kansas Department of Health and Environment updates its data since Aug. 19. The state health department only reports cases on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
There are currently 44,359 confirmed cases and 458 deaths attributed to COVID-19, including one new death reported Wednesday in both Johnson and Wyandotte counties. — TP
1 p.m. | Wichita Public Schools has reversed its decision to suspend fall sports. The Board of Education on Tuesday voted to allow athletics to continue with restrictions, including the requirement that student-athletes participate in remote learning during the season and for two weeks after, according to an Associated Press report. All sixth through 12th grade students already were required to begin the school year remotely. —AW
11:30 a.m. | Chief medical officers in the Kansas City metro held a virtual conversation Wednesday on the state of COVID-19 in the region. The group discussed what the fall might look like as flu season approaches, saying it could bring extra stress to hospitals. —AW
10:25 a.m. | The VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System will have drive-thru flu vaccines available for enrolled veterans in October and early November at the Leavenworth campus. The same drive-thru options also will be available at the VA's community-based clinics on certain Saturdays in October.
Because of COVID-19, walk-in flu vaccines will not be available this year. The vaccines will be available through March 31, 2021.
Veterans should bring a VA ID card and wear clothing that allows staff to reach their upper arm.
Here are the available dates, times and locations for the drive-thru vaccines:
Leavenworth VA Medical Center: 4101 4th Street Trafficway, Leavenworth. Main hospital (Building 91) - parking lot on the north side of the hospital (at the COVID trailer).
- Saturday, Oct. 3: 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 10: 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 24: 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
- Saturday, Nov. 7: 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
- Monday-Fridays: Drive-thru flu shots will also be available at the Leavenworth VA Medical Center (same location) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Oct. 5-30.
Lawrence CBOC: 4821 Quail Crest Place, Lawrence.
- Saturday, Oct. 3: 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 24: 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Platte City CBOC: 2303 Higgins Road, Suite F, Platte City, MO.
- Saturday, Oct. 3: 8 a.m. to noon
- Saturday, Oct. 24: 8 a.m. to noon
St. Joseph CBOC: 3302 S. Belt Highway, Suite P, St. Joseph, MO.
- Saturday, Oct. 3: 8 a.m. to noon
- Saturday, Oct. 24: 8 a.m. to noon
—AW
8:43 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. | In his first media appearance since undergoing vocal cord surgery, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert, warned Tuesday that colleges and universities should not send students home in the event of an outbreak.
"It's the worst thing you could do," Fauci said in an interview with NBC, adding that sending students home could allow the virus to spread in new areas.
Instead, Fauci suggested the colleges keep students isolated on campus for a period of time before sending them home. -KB
7 a.m. | A sober-living house for men in Kansas City, Missouri, is helping fewer people overcome addiction.
The coronavirus pandemic has prompted Welcome House, a nonprofit located at 1414 East 27th Street, to create quarantine spaces, limit access to its programs, and either make meetings smaller or cancel them, according to Jamie Boyle, Welcome House president and CEO.
Boyle said normally the facility could house around 80 men, but health precautions to keep people safe from the virus has reduced that amount to around 40. -KB
Previous coverage:
March 2020 updates
April 2020 updates
May 2020 updates
June 2020 updates
July 2020 updates
August 2020 updates
Tuesday, Sept. 1
