May 14 blog: Wyandotte County reports 67th COVID-19 death

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 14.

11:13 p.m. | Wyandotte County has reported its 67th death from COVID-19, which is the most in the state.

7:22 p.m. | With Jackson County’s decision to modify its reopening plan and allow gyms and fitness centers to welcome back customers, the city-owned Blue Springs Fieldhouse will reopen Monday.

There will be occupancy limits and social-distancing restrictions, which will be announced Friday.

5:55 p.m. | A private distribution center in Olathe is the first workplace-associated cluster of COVID-19 cases in Johnson County.

5:10 p.m. | The Grandview Board of Aldermen voted to extend the window for occupational (business) license renewals through the end of August.

“We’re hoping this is just the first of many steps we’ll be able to take to support businesses during this time, “ Grandview Mayor Leonard Jones said in a news release. “Staff is working on other ways the City might be able to offer businesses some relief.”

4 p.m. | The Kansas City, Kansas, Farmer's Market and Rosedale Farmer's Market have merged and will bring three farmer's market locations to KCK this summer. The first location at Rosedale Market, 4020 Rainbow Boulevard, plans to open on Sunday, May 17. Hours will be 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The downtown market is planning a June 3 opening, and the third Central Avenue location will also tentatively open in June.

All vendors and customers are asked to wear masks and maintain six feet of distance from others.

3:55 p.m. | Johnson County residents who have symptoms of COVID-19 can get a free test through the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment. Testing begins on May 18 at the department's Mission and Olathe offices. Residents should try to get tested through their primary health care provider before scheduling an online appointment through JCDHE.

Make an appointment online here. Supplies and appointment times are limited.

3:45 p.m. | Fans of the Kansas City Zoo will be able to see their favorite animals again, as officials said Thursday the zoo will reopen to the public on Saturday, May 16.

There will be plenty of restrictions associated with the reopening.

3:25 p.m. | Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly announced Thursday the state won’t advance to next phase of reopening until June.

3:10 p.m. | Kenny Chesney announced Thursday that he has postponed his 2020 Chilaxification Tour, which was scheduled to have a stop at Arrowhead Stadium this summer.

The concert was originally set for July 11, 2020.

Concert organizers say they plan to honor existing tickets for the new date, which is set for sometime in 2021.

3 p.m. | Officials at the Kansas Speedway announced Thursday that the May 30-31 race weekend has been postponed.

A release said officials are hopeful of rescheduling the race to a later date.

2:30 p.m. | McDonald’s has unveiled the additional safety measures that its restaurants must put in place before reopening their dining rooms.

Based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other public health authorities, McDonald’s says it will make reopening decisions that are right for local communities and help ensure restaurant crews and customers feel safe and welcome.

1:30 p.m. | Starting Monday, May 18, Uber drivers and passengers in the U.S. will be required to wear face masks through at least the end of June.

1 p.m. | The Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department says it plans to resume normal parking enforcement on Friday when the city's stay-at-home order lifts. Parking control officers have been ignoring time-limited zones during the order.

In April, police issued just 359 parking citations, compared with 2,702 in March.

12:45 p.m. | Special Olympics Missouri athletes will compete this weekend in the organization's first-ever Virtual Summer Games.

11:45 a.m. | After delaying its opening because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Loews Kansas City Hotel will officially open on June 1. The company says it will share more details later on the opening plans.

11 a.m. | The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded an emergency $1.33 million grant to the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development to create temporary jobs to help in the state's COVID-19 recovery efforts, the state department said in a news release.

The grant will employ up to 100 temporary positions, and of those, up to 30 will involve humanitarian work. The remaining available jobs will aid in economic recovery efforts and include temporary employment, job center services and training opportunities.

Funds will be awarded on June 1 and be available to local workforce development boards within 45 days.

10:45 a.m. | Independence plans to begin the first phase of reopening city facilities on June 1. The first phase will last four weeks, and the transition to the next phase will depend on the number of regional COVID-19 cases.

On June 1, the Independence City Hall, Police Department headquarters and Independence Utility Center will reopen with modified hours. Guests and staff will be screened and have their temperatures checked before entering. The city facilities will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Tennis and pickleball courts and the skate park will reopen on June 1, but playgrounds, basketball courts and ball fields will remain closed through the first phase.

More details on the city's phased reopening plan can be found here.

8:56 a.m. | University of Kansas Health System officials gave their daily COVID-19 update.

8:38 a.m. | Missouri State Parks will begin a phased reopening of campgrounds starting May 18. There will be a number of changes to the operations of the campgrounds. They are listed below.

• Reservations will be required prior to arrival.
• Campground occupancy will be limited at some parks and sites.
• Missouri State Parks will increase the frequency of cleaning shower houses and restrooms.
• Campers will use a new contactless, self-check-in feature.
• There will be occupancy restrictions in shower houses and restrooms.
• Missouri State Parks will only accept credit and debit cards.

7:40 a.m. | Just starting your day? We’ve got you covered with a quick look at what you need to know.

7:34 a.m. | According to a new labor report, 3 million Americans filed for unemployment last week. The eight-week total stands at 36 million.

7:11 a.m. | Dr. Dana Hawkinson shared what he believes our COVID-19 future will look like.

6:45 a.m. | Dr. Dana Hawkinson answered questions about how COVID-19 affects different organs and how it affects children differently.

5:24 a.m. | Cats can spread the new coronavirus to other cats without any of them ever having symptoms, a lab experiment suggests. Scientists who led the work, reported on Wednesday, say it shows the need for more research into whether the virus can spread from people to cats to people again.

5 a.m. | Wahlburgers, Hy-Vee and Cresent Capital will donate 2,000 meals Thursday and Friday to health care workers in the Kansas City area. The Olathe Fire Department will deliver meals to seven local hospitals: KU Satellite Indian Creek, KU Medical Center, KU Lenexa, St. Luke’s North, St. Luke’s South, St. Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City and Olathe Medical Center.

4:45 a.m. | Casinos in Missouri will remain closedthrough the end of this month. The Missouri Gaming Commission announced they are extending the closure through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, May 31, 2020.

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
Monday, May 11
Tuesday, May 12
Wednesday, May 13