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May 7 blog: U.S. COVID-19 deaths top 75,000

Posted at 5:39 AM, May 07, 2020
and last updated 2020-05-08 00:07:53-04

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.

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 7.

11:06 p.m. | Cass County reported one new case (67) and one new death (seven) on Thursday as the total numbers of deaths in the U.S. topped 75,000, according to Johns Hopkins University.

6:37 p.m. | Camp WIN, a four-day camp which introduces Kansas City-area girls between the ages of 6 and 12 to a variety of sports and fitness activities, is going virtual this summer. The camp is a partnership between the Kansas City Sports Commission and Royals Charities.

6:05 p.m. | Della Lamb Community Services is offering COVID-19 testing for people who have at least one symptom.

The testing, which will be by nose swab and administered by Truman Medical Center personnel, is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday at 1615 Independence Ave. in Kansas City, Missouri, across from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences.

Only a valid ID and phone number are required for testing with results expected next week.

Walk-up testing will be available, but those interested are encouraged to register by calling 816-404-2273. There also will be translators on site.

5:37 p.m. | Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas and health department officials say they are monitoring a COVID-19 outbreak at a Northland senior living facility.

In a news conference Thursday evening, Lucas said health officials are monitoring a total of 11 people, seven residents and four staff members, who have tested positive at the McCRite Plaza in Briarcliff.

4 p.m. | Workers at the Ford Claycomo Plant in Claycomo, Missouri are waiting to learn more details after the automotive giant said it will start to phase in workers at its North American plans starting May 18.

3:37 p.m. | The Missouri State Highway Patrol will begin to reopen offices for driving testing services Monday. A complete list of offices and hours of operation is available on the MSHP website.

2:57 p.m. | Johnson County Motor Vehicle Offices will reopen to the public May 11 in a limited capacity from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays.

Customers are asked not to line up or stand outside the office before it opens and tickets will be distributed for entry.

Residents should check-in online or by calling 1-888-956-2657 to secure a place in line until the queue is “closed” for the day, because capacity has been reached.

People should plan to wait in their cars until summoned via text as lobbies access will be restricted. There will be a 10-minute grace period before anyone who misses a turn must rejoin the line.

2:45 p.m. | Combined with data from local, county and state health departments, the number of Missourians who have tested positive for COVID-19 rose to 9,482 on Thursday. Of those patients, 449 have died.

2:15 p.m. | Hy-Vee will now offer a two-hour express pickup option for an extra fee. Customers should choose the "Get It Faster" option during checkout. A limited number of two-hour pickup orders will be available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily for $9.95.

1:07 p.m. | The addition of state and local health department data showed an increase of 460 new cases Thursday in Kansas, pushing the statewide total to 6,306.

12:40 p.m. | The Shawnee Mission School District says summer enrichment programs will not be offered this summer for students in grades K-8. Summer school programs will be offered virtually to students entering ninth grade or currently in high school.

11:50 a.m. | One of President Donald Trump’s personal valets has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the administration confirmed to CNN and The Washington Times.

In a statement obtained by the outlets, deputy White House press secretary Hogan Gidley said Trump and Vice President Mike Pence were subsequently tested again and their tests came back negative for the virus.

11:30 a.m. | The Kansas Legislature is expected to focus on issues related to the coronavirus when it reconvenes for a single day later this month to wrap up the 2020 session. A panel of legislative leaders on Wednesday decided that lawmakers will return May 21. The truncated session is aimed at limiting exposure to COVID-19, the Associated Press reported.

11 a.m. | Doctors with the University of Kansas Health System provided advice for anyone experiencing stress, anxiety and dreams related to the pandemic.

10:45 a.m. | The Kansas City, Kansas, Fire Department says currently, no firefighters are positive for the virus and no firefighters are in quarantine. KCKFD Emergency Medical Services expects personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies to remain sufficient for the remainder of the pandemic.

10:15 a.m. | Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway launched a new website to track the state's spending of federal funds provided by the coronavirus relief bill. The website also will list which state and local government departments, vendors and expense categories receive the most funding.

10:07 a.m. | The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is waiving a summer volatility rule for gasoline that is sold, dispensed or transported in Clay, Platte and Jackson counties.

The rule is typically in place from June 1 to Sept. 15, but has been altered for 2020 due to low demand that has created a surplus of winter fuel in storage tanks.

10:05 a.m. | Beginning next week, Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft will deliver face masks, distancing strips, sanitizer, face shields and posters to local election authorities ahead of the 2020 elections.

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

Get Caught up: May 7

8:45 a.m. | University of Kansas Health System officials gave their daily COVID-19 update, which included the fact that the hospital now only has nine virus patients in the ICU.

7:49 a.m. | 3.2 million American filed for unemployment last week, bringing the pandemic total to over 33 million claims.

6:27 a.m. | Overland Park will decide whether or not to open public pools this summer amid COVID-19 concerns. The item is up for discussion on the city agenda, and the staff recommendation is that pools stay closed for all of 2020 or that only one pool opens.

5:39 a.m. | Frontier Airlines is dropping plans to charge passengers extra to sit next to an empty middle seat after congressional Democrats accused the airline of trying to profit from fear over the new coronavirus, according to the Associated Press.

5:15 a.m. | Saint Luke’s Healthcare System will roll out universal testingon Thursday for asymptomatic patients admitted across its 18 hospitals – four of which are in the Kansas City metro.

5 a.m. | The Johnson County Mental Health Center released a coloring book to help spread positivity and pass time during COVID-19 restrictions.

Download the coloring book: https://t.co/BFHiB4y1Qs pic.twitter.com/lrApQFt1yP

— Johnson County Mental Health Center (@JOCOMNH) May 6, 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