KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Wyandotte County will extend Phase 3 of its reopening plan into July due to a recent uptick in COVID-19 cases.
The county, which had 1,783 confirmed cases and 76 deaths on Thursday afternoon, will now remain in Phase 3 of the Ad Astra plan through at least July 6.
“The numbers show that COVID-19 continues to be a threat in our community, and as we have begun reopening our businesses and our communities, it has begun to spread, although slowly, once again,” said Dr. Allen Greiner, chief medical officer with the Unified Government Public Health Department. “Out of an abundance of caution, we will remain in Phase 3 of our reopening plan, with some additional modifications and guidance.”
Unified Government Mayor/CEO David Alvey called the latest health data "disappointing" and encouraged residents to continue following health guidelines, including social distancing and wearing masks.
Most of the restrictions will remain the same under the extension, with an exception for long-term care facilities. Under the extension, long-term care and assisted living facilities can allow a limited number of visitors once they have adopted a visitation plan.
Until now, visits to these facilities, which have been the hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic, have been prohibited.
Gatherings will remain limited to 45 people under the Phase 3 extension, and swimming pools, summer camps and festival can open with social distancing and capacity limits.
Wyandotte County transitioned into the third phase of reopening on June 8.
