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Live blog: Kansas deaths related to COVID-19 increase to 9

Posted at 5:34 AM, Mar 30, 2020
and last updated 2020-03-30 20:51:19-04

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.

We've also compiled a detailed list of school district meal service options while schools are closed.

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 March 30.

7:47 p.m. | Sedgwick County, Kansas, confirms the first death in the county related to the coronavirus, according to a KSNW report. The man had been hospitalized due to the virus. He had underlying health conditions, according to the county. Kansas now has nine deaths related to COVID-19.

Also Monday, McConnell Air Force Base near Wichita confirmed that an active-duty airman tested positive for the virus, according to a report from the Wichita Eagle.

7:45 p.m. | Coffey County, Kansas, reported six new cases of COVID-19, all of which originated at a nursing and rehabilitation facility in Burlington. The patients range in age from 39 to 90 years old.

6:50 p.m. | The NCAA Divison 1 Council voted to allow schoolsto provide spring sport student-athletes an additional season of competition and an extension of their period of eligibility in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

6:45 p.m. | Cass County reports six new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total in the county to 15. In Missouri, there are now 1,071 confirmed cases in the state.

5:05 p.m. | The Johnson County Board of Commissioners approved up to $400,000 on Monday for additional COVID-19 testing in the county.

4:55 p.m. | Jackson County says it has instructed Bass Pro Shops to close its store to be in compliance with the county stay-at-home order. A spokeswoman for the county says a letter was sent to the store on Monday, and if it remains open this week, law enforcement will be contacted.

4:10 p.m. | Kohl's says it will furlough most of its employees as stores remain closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a CNBC report.

4 p.m. | Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has been working with Department of Commerce and Insurance to “remove regulatory barriers” that will allow physicians from other states to work in Missouri.

3:30 p.m. | The Jackson County Legislature approved $4.5 million in emergency funding to aid in the response to the coronavirus outbreak. The package includes $4.3 million to Truman Medical Centers to purchase equipment, increase testing and increase its hospital bed capacity. The remaining $200,000 will go toward an full-body X-ray imaging device for the Jackson County Medical Examiner's Office.

2:20 p.m. | Missouri officials say the total number of COVID-19 cases in the state has surpassed 1,000. On Monday afternoon, the state reported 1,031 cases and 13 deaths.

1:25 p.m. | The number of confirmed cases in Kansas has increased to 371, according to data from the state and counties. One death was reported in Crawford County, bringing the total deaths in the state to eight. State officials say at least 66 patients have required hospitalization.

12:47 p.m. | Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas said Monday that he will not extend the city's stay-at-home order past April 24 at this point because he does not want to give the false hope of a "magic date" when life will go back to normal. He also encouraged residents to report non-essential businesses still operating and large gatherings such as house parties by calling 311.

11:40 a.m. | With families stuck at home and trash bins filling up, the city of Kansas City, Missouri, will conduct an extra "no-tag week" of trash collection April 13-17 for residents. During that week, residents may place up to 12 bags at the curb, but other normal trash pick-up rules, including those for hazardous waste and bulky items and yard waste, remain in effect.

11:08 a.m. | After receiving approval from the Democratic National Committee, the Kansas Democratic Party announced Monday that its May 2 primary election would be conducted solely by mail-in ballot.

11:05 a.m. | Macy's is furloughing a majority of its 130,000 workers beginning this week as its sales have collapsed because of the pandemic.

11:02 a.m. | Jackson County is now reporting 54 COVID-19 cases in Eastern Jackson County, which includes Independence, Lee's Summit and Blue Springs. Additional COVID-19 cases also Platte County Health Department (eight) and Clay County Public Health Center (13) in Missouri and the Leavenworth County Health Department in Kansas (19).

10:55 a.m. | A worker involved in meal preparation at Tonganoxie USD 464 has tested positive for COVID-19, the school district says. Exposed staff are under quarantine.

10:50 a.m. | Here's a look at your morning headlines:

10:31 a.m. | Eight new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Jonhson County, Kansas, Monday morning, bringing the county total to 116.

10:17 a.m. | President Trump issued a major disaster declaration for the state of Kansas.

8:40 a.m. | Operation BBQ Relief, which feeds those in need during times of crisis, is teaming up with Plowboy's Barbeque in Overland Park to feed those experiencing food insecurity in Kansas City. If you would like to know about meal availability, email FeedKC@plowboysbbq.com.

7:44 a.m. | Alan Merrill, who co-wrote the song, "I Love Rock and Roll," died from COVID-19 at the age of 69.

6:55 a.m. | Officials announced Monday that the Tokyo Olympic opening ceremony has been rescheduled for July 23, 2021. Closing ceremonies will take place Aug. 8, 2021.

6:37 a.m. | According to Johns Hopkins University, the U.S. is almost to 150,000 cases of COVID-19 nationwide. That includes over 2,500 deaths from the virus.

5:33 a.m. | U.S. residents have at least another month of social distancing. President Donald Trump issued an order Sunday extending the guidelines to last through April 30.

5:10 a.m. | Country artist Joe Diffie passed away over the weekend from COVID-19. He was 61.

5 a.m. | Several school districts begin online learning on Monday. Those include the Olathe, Shawnee Mission and Blue Valley school districts. Students will complete work online assigned by their teachers since in-person classes are canceled for the remainder of the school year.

Previous coverage:
Monday, March 16
Tuesday, March 17
Wednesday, March 18
Thursday, March 19
Friday, March 20
Saturday, March 21
Sunday, March 22
Monday, March 23
Tuesday, March 24
Wednesday, March 25
Thursday, March 26
Friday, March 27
Saturday, March 28
Sunday, March 29