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 1.
6:02 p.m. | Kansas hospitals and health-care providers will receive $400 million in the latest round of CARES Act funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
The first $18 million will be allocated to hospitals, which have treated a high volume of COVID-19 patients, while the remaining $382 million with be divvied up among 201 rural medical providers in the state.
5:56 p.m. | The Treasury Department of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, will begin accepting vehicle title and registration paperwork by mail Monday.
Residents hoping to use the service should fill out an online questionnaire to ensure all necessary documentation has been gathered.
Payment options will be presented once the amount owed is determined and documentation then can be mailed or dropped off at the Annex Office, 8200 State Ave. in KCK.
The department also has started to issue temporary tags via email to ugdmv-temptag@wycokck.org.
Residents with questions should call 311 or consult the Unified Government's website.
5:42 p.m. | A staff member at the El Dorado Correctional Facility has tested positive for COVID-19, the fifth Kansas Department of Corrections prison facility to report a case of the virus.
The staff member at the maximum- and medium-security prison is a male over the age of 30.
Lansing Correctional Facility, where 250 inmates and 86 staff members have tested positive, remains the KDOC’s largest outbreak. Testing started this week of all inmates and staff at the facility.
5:30 p.m. | The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will provide an additional $412.5 million in coronavirus relief to Missouri hospitals and health care providers.
The CARES Act funding includes $296.2 million for rural medical providers, $82.7 million for hospitals that have dealt with a large number of in-patient COVID-19 patients, and $33.6 million for medical providers working with a volume of low-income or uninsured patients.
To date, Missouri medical providers have received more than $1.2 billion in emergency federal funding.
5:15 p.m. | The Missouri National guard is collecting used N95 masks at 13 locations around the state for decontamination.
After the masks are cleaned, they will be redistributed to “hospitals and health care facilities, first responders, government agencies and the military,” according to a release Friday from the Missouri National Guard.
“With the nationwide shortage of N95 masks, the Guard is ensuring the masks we have currently are clean, safe and available for use,” Col. Denise Wilkinson, commander of 70th Troop Command, said in a statement. “This process will significantly alleviate the strain on masks within the state.”
4:35 p.m. | The Missouri Department of Revenue, which is reopening its offices Monday as the statewide stay-at-home order expires, is encouraging residents to renew vehicle registrations online and as early as possible his month.
The department anticipates heavier than usual traffic in late May with March and April renewals postponed. People needing to renew tags that expired in March have until the end of May, while renewals for tags that expired in April must be completed by the end of June.
Tags that expire in May must be renewed in May as no extenstion has been granted for those residents.
4:29 p.m. | Healthcare for Missouri submitted nearly 350,000 signatures to the Secretary of State's office Friday for an initiative petition to out Medicaid expansion on the November ballot. According to a release, roughly 172,000 verified and validated signatures would be required to put the proposal before voters later this year.
4:26 p.m. | The Kansas City, Missouri, Small Business Relief Loan Fund is taking apllications for aid from small businesses located within KCMO city limits.
The available $500,000 was appropriated by the KCMO City Council to the Economic Development Council for low-interest loans to businesses struggling to secure financing through the COVID-19 pandemic through traditional means, like banks.
4:03 p.m. | With the extended Johnson County stay-at-home order, the city of Merriam announced that city offices and the Irene B. French Community Center will remain closed to the public through at least May 25.
3:47 p.m. | The Kansas Department for Children and Families will remain closed to the public "until further notice," according to a release Friday from the state. But the agency opened a virtual call center this week at 1-888-369-4777, has added a chat function to its website and has made paper applications for services available outside each DCF service center.
For suspected cases of abuse or neglect, Kansans should call 1-800-922-5330 or report them online.
3:32 p.m. | Gov. Mike Parson said Missouri residents should shop local rather than continuing to shop online as the state reopens Monday for the health of local economies.
Various department heads for state agencies also provided updates on agriculture in the state and the public workforce ahead of May 4, when the statewide stay-at-home will have expired.
3:17 p.m. | The University of Missouri announced 49 layoffs, including 32 at MU Health Care, and broad salary reductions to help address a projected $17 million budget shortfall.
3:03 p.m. | Missouri will receive $25.5 million in aid from the CARES Act from the U.S. Department of Education, which targets Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Harris-Stowe State University will receive $2.9 million and Lincoln University will receive $3.4 million to help pay for distance-learning technology, cost-of-attendance grants for students, and additional training for faculty and staff. The money also may be used for operational expenses and payroll.
2:40 p.m. | City of Lansing offices will become accessible to the general public again on Monday, May 4, with certain restrictions. City facilities that host public gatherings, including the Community Center and Activity Center, will remain closed.
Lansing City Hall, the Lansing Municipal Building and the Lansing Department of Parks and Recreation administrative office will limit public access to no more than five people at a time while social distancing is maintained.
2:20 p.m. | Additional positive COVID-19 results from a cluster at Triumph Foods in St. Joseph helped push the total numbers of cases in Missouri above 8,000 patients.
2:00 p.m. | Libraries and in-house dining at restaurants in Douglas County will remain closed until May 17. Restaurant carryout, drive-thru and delivery services will still be allowed.
1:52 p.m. | The Kansas Department of Commerce is making $500,000 in grants available "to provide operational support to Kansas arts organizations experiencing financial difficulties as a result of COVID-19."
The commerce department and Kansas Creative Industries Arts Commission will distribute money from the CARES Act after applications for program, which open Monday, close on May 15. Kansas-based nonprofits, whose primary mission centers around the arts, are eligible to apply.
1:50 p.m. | Major League Soccer will begin allowing players to use outdoor team training fields for individual workouts beginning Wednesday, May 6. The individual workouts are voluntary and should not conflict with local public health official or government policies.
1:35 p.m. | The Missouri National Guard is collecting used N95 masks at 13 collections points around the state for delivery to a central decontamination site. It has mobilized more than 50 members for the effort.
1:30 p.m. | Habitat for Humanity will reopen all four of its ReStore locations in the Kansas City metro on May 4. People also can bring in their donations or schedule pickup in some cases.
1:25 p.m. | Goodwill plans to reopen four of its retail stores and donation centers plus three assisted donation centers in Kansas and Missouri on May 4. Retail stores in Manhattan, Topeka, Lawrence and St. Joseph will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Donation centers in Leawood, Shawnee and Mission will be open with varying hours.
1:05 p.m. | Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas says a new online resource will allow Kansas City businesses to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) for employees while supporting local businesses. The website, created in partnership with the city and Made in KC, will help connect businesses and individuals who need PPE with local makers of reusable face masks, hand sanitizer and other protective equipment.
1 p.m. | The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services says that additional test results find 295 employees at the Triumph Foods plant in St. Joseph, Missouri, have tested positive for COVID-19. More than 2,300 employees have been tested so far, though it wasn't clear if the results from all 2,300 tests had been received.
12:40 p.m. | The Kesha performance scheduled for May 14 at the Starlight Theatre has been canceled. Tickets purchased with a credit card directly from Starlight by phone, online or at the box office will be automatically refunded in the next seven to 10 business days.
Tickets purchased with cash at the Starlight box office will be refunded by check to the mailing address on file. Those who purchased tickets through a third-party source should contact the vendor for a refund.
KC Parks also announced that Music in the Village (May 2), Food Truck Friday at Union Cemetery and the Summer Dusk 2020 Concert (both May 15) and KC Train Day (May 16) also have been canceled.
12:15 p.m. | Total tax collections in Kansas were down 51% last month compared with April 2019, though the Kansas Department of Revenue says the state is in line with revised estimates that take into consideration the changes in tax deadlines, consumer purchasing behaviors and employer withholdings.
Noon | Lee's Summit officials say they have made the "difficult" decision to cancel the city's Legacy Blast fireworks display set for July 2 at Legacy Park.
11:50 a.m. | Truman Medical Centers has released an updated list of COVID-19 testing sites for the week of May 4-8. Patients should call a TMC nurse at 816-404-2273 before going to the site.
Here are the dates and sites for the testing:
Monday, May 4
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Metro Christian Fellowship Church parking Lot
2217 Highgrove Road
Grandview, MO 64030
Tuesday, May 5
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sheffield Family Life Center
5700 Winner Road
KCMO 64127
Wednesday, May 6
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Grain Valley Community Center
713 Main St.
Grain Valley, MO 64029
Thursday, May 7
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Connection Pointe Church
10500 East State Road 350
Raytown, MO 64138
Friday, May 8
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Ruskin High School
7000 111th St.
KCMO 64134
11:45 a.m. | American Airlines says it will begin requiring travelers to wear masks during flights beginning May 11. The airline had recently announced the same requirement for flight attendants.
10:30 a.m. | Leaders and chief medical officers in Jackson County, Missouri, and Johnson and Wyandotte counties in Kansas gave an update Friday on efforts to coordinate stay-at-home orders in the Kansas City metro. Watch the news conference below:
10:25 a.m. | The Wonderscope Children's Museum is asking for feedback on its reopening plans, which include limiting visitor sessions to two hours and 75 people. To give your feedback, take the survey.
10:20 a.m. | U.S. Attorney for Kansas Stephen McAllister is asking anyone who has witnessed or experienced sexual harassment by a landlord or property manager to report the action to the Department of Justice.
“COVID-19 Pandemic has impacted the ability of many people to pay rent on time and has increased housing insecurity,” McAllister said in a news release. “Nationally, there have been reports of housing providers trying to exploit the crisis to sexually harass tenants. Sexual harassment in housing is illegal, and we stand ready to investigate such allegations and pursue enforcement actions where appropriate.”
To make a report, contact the Civil Rights Division at 844-380-6178 or email fairhousing@usdoj.gov.
10 a.m. | Just starting your day? We’ve got you covered with a quick look at what you need to know on May 1.
8:55 a.m. | The Lansing Parks and Recreation Department has canceled summer 2020 youth baseball, softball and T-ball seasons because of the coronavirus pandemic. Registered participants will receive a full refund, according to the city.
8 a.m. | Officials with the University of Kansas Health System gave their daily update on COVID-19 operations in the area. On Friday, they were joined by U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran and Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Dr. Lee Norman.
7:55 a.m. | Thirteen Kansas City-area churches will hold a food and resource drive on Saturday to provide relief to charities seeing an increased demand because of the coronavirus pandemic.
7:10 a.m. | The owner of the Fav Trip convenience stores in the Kansas City area recently launched a delivery and curbside pickup service in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The services have been so popular that the stores are now hiring employees.
5:30 a.m. | The Raymore-Peculiar School District is planning virtual and in-person summer school for June and July. Virtual classes will be held June 3 to June 30, while the district hopes to offer in-person sessions from July 6 to July 30. Registration is now open. Enrollment forms are due May 15.
5 a.m. | Kansas City Public Schools will hold in-person commencements during the week of July 20. Plans may adjust according to national, state and local guidelines throughout the pandemic. Graduation 2020 details and updates will be posted on district's website.
Previous coverage:
March 2020 updates
Wednesday, April 1
Thursday, April 2
Friday, April 3
Friday, April 3
Saturday, April 4
Monday, April 6
Tuesday, April 7
Wednesday, April 8
Thursday, April 9
Saturday, April 11
Monday, April 13
Tuesday, April 14
Wednesday, April 15
Thursday, April 16
Wednesday, April 15
Friday, April 17
Saturday, April 18
Monday, April 20
Wednesday, April 22
Tuesday, April 21
Wednesday, April 22
Thursday, April 23
Saturday, April 25
Sunday, April 26
Saturday, April 25
Sunday, April 26
Saturday, April 25
Sunday, April 26
Sunday, April 26
Monday, April 27
Tuesday, April 28
Monday, April 27
Tuesday, April 28
Wednesday, April 29
Thursday, April 30
