KANSAS CITY, Mo. — 41 Action News is offering a daily recap of COVID-19 related stories from across Kansas City and the country. Check back every morning for the latest developments.
LATEST: COVID-19 case tracker for Missouri, Kansas and Kansas City
University of Kansas Health System update
The number of COVID-19 patients being cared for at the University of Kansas Health System increased slightly Tuesday.
Doctors were treating 94 patients with acute infections, up from 82 on Monday.
Fifty-two patients are in the intensive care unit, 25 of whom are on ventilators. Sixty-two patients are in recovery.
The KU Health doctors invited “renowned vaccinologist” Dr. Gregory Poland of the Mayo Clinic on Tuesday’s update in the second of their five-day series on the COVID-19 vaccines.
Poland used his time to answer scientific questions about the vaccines and dispel misconceptions.
North Kansas City Hospital opts out of statewide Vizient partnership
North Kansas City Hospital, one of three area hospitals named in a partnership announced by Missouri Gov. Mike Parson last week, said it has "respectfully declined" participation.
The statewide partnership with Vizient, a national health care performance company, is an effort to alleviate hospital staffing concerns.
RideKC suspends 4 bus routes due to COVID-19 pandemic
The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority has temporarily halted four RideKC service routes because of staffing shortages due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The following routes are discontinued for an undetermined amount of time:
- 9 9th Street
- 15 Truman Road
- 55 Universities-Crossroads
- 233 Vivion-Antioch
4 Jackson County businesses ticketed for violating health orders
Four Jackson County businesses received tickets for violating COVID-19 emergency health orders Monday.
Three of the businesses received first-time tickets. The fourth, a gym that has defied mask mandates, received its second. If it receives a third, the owner must appear in court.
Independence restores city health department amid COVID-19 pandemic
The city of Independence has reinstated its own health department after its services were deemed redundant in 2018.
“None of us saw a health emergency of this scale on the horizon in 2018, but we have learned that we need more resources in our area to support the citizens we serve," Mayor Eileen Weir said.
Research shows COVID-19 survivors should get virus vaccine
With many unknowns about COVID-19 immunity, doctors recommend that people who have contracted and recovered from the virus still get a vaccine when it becomes available.
O'Dowd's Gastrobar closes temporarily due to COVID-19 restrictions
A Plaza restaurant announced Monday it will be closed until spring.
O'Dowd's Gastrobar said the closure was a result of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and asked patrons to contact their representatives about passing more relief for small businesses.
As COVID-19 surges, funeral homes working to meet demand
Area funeral homes are booked out weeks in advance due to an increase in deaths from COVID-19.
One funeral home told 41 Action News that it typically does about 250 services each year. In 2020 — with three weeks still to go — it has done 450.
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