KANSAS CITY, Mo. — We have been tracking the spread of COVID-19 in the Kansas City area since the start of the pandemic.
Whether it's stories about how we bounce back through our Rebound KC effort, important information as school resumes or critical information about the November election, trust 41 Action News to keep you informed.
Businesses finding unique ways to serve our community can share ideas and connect on our KC Open for Business Facebook group.
Updates on the spread of the virus and how it is affecting the metro can be found below for Oct. 9.
9:41 p.m. | It was a record-setting day for the COVID-19 pandemic across Kansas and Missouri on Friday, including spikes in the seven-county Kansas City region.
All three locations, which have been tracked for more than 200 days through state and local health department reports for the 41 Action News Daily COVID-19 Tracker, reported record-highs for the number of confirmed new cases and deaths.
Kansas added a single-day high of 1,841 new cases and reported 26 deaths, which is tied with Thursday and Sept. 16 for the most deaths reported in a single day.
THe tally was even worse in Missouri, where the state added 2,411 new cases and a staggering 81 deaths after a review of death certificates by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
Across the Kansas City area — Johnson, Leavenworth and Wyandotte counties in Kansas along with Cass, Clay, Jackson and Platte counties in Missouri — there were 855 cases and 28 deaths reported.
Kansas, Missouri and Kansas City also set records for the number of deaths reported during the last week, while Kansas had a record number of new cases last week as well. New cases in Missouri and Kansas City surged but came up just shy of the weekly record.
KC outbreak: https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/2869660/
Kansas outbreak: https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/2869681/
Missouri outbreak: https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/2869692/
U.S. outbreak: https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/2869701/
—TP
5 p.m. | In a letter to parents Friday, Richmond R-XVI School District Superintendent Mr. Greg Darling said students at Richmond High School will temporarily move to distance learning only starting Tuesday, Oct. 13.
Darling said no school would be held on Monday, Oct. 12 to allow teachers to get ready for virtual learning.
The move comes after the high school reported more than one COVID-19 case. Other students were exposed. Darling said some students are symptomatic.
The earliest date students could return to school would be Nov. 2.
Elementary and middle school students in the district will remain in in-person instruction. - SH
4 p.m. | Kansas added 1,679 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, a single-day record for the state. It also reported an additional 14 deaths on Friday related to the coronavirus.
Dr. Lee Norman, the secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, on Friday warned the state is "losing the battle" against the virus, according to an Associated Press report. He also said Kansas is doing worse than other states. —AW
3:55 p.m. | Saint Thomas Aquinas High School in Overland Park did everything it could to keep homecoming traditions alive despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
The gathering was moved outside to the football stadium and all students were required to wear masks. —TP
2 p.m. | The Kansas City, Missouri, Parks and Recreation Department and Heart to Heart International will partner to offer free COVID-19 testing for essential workers on Saturday morning.
The testing event is available for both asymptomatic and symptomatic workers.
The Saturday event will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at the Springs Aquatic Center, 9400 N. Congress Ave.
Registration can be done online. —AW
11:56 a.m. | The Johnson County Election Office announced Friday it received a $856,245 grant to ensure it can safely administer an election on Nov. 3 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
It received the grant from the nonprofit Center for Tech and Civic Life.
"The Election Office will use the funds from the grant to expand and promote advance voting, install and secure ballot return boxes for mail ballots, purchase equipment for processing mail ballots and operating polling locations, and increase pay for election workers," the office said in a press release. -DM
9:34 a.m. | Starting Friday, anyone holding an event with over 100 people in Independence must fill out a form and submit it to the city at least 72 hours in advance of the event. That includes weddings, sporting events and church services. The change is in compliance with Jackson County's new event protocols. -KB
8:52 a.m. | University of Kansas Health System officials gave their daily COVID-19 update. -KB
7:30 a.m. | Just starting your day? We’ve got you covered with a quick look at what you need to know. -KB
7:15 a.m. | The Kansas City Chiefs may experience another schedule change due to COVID-19 in the NFL. Their game against the Buffalo Bills scheduled for Thursday may move to Sunday because of the postponement of the Bills' game against the Titans. The Titans have several players and staff positive for COVID-19. -KB
7 a.m. | Oak Grove Elementary School in the Turner School District will return to online learning starting Friday after over 100 students were exposed to COVID-19. Four students and three staff members tested positive for the virus. Online learning will last through at least Oct. 19. -KB
Previous coverage:
March 2020 updates
April 2020 updates
May 2020 updates
June 2020 updates
July 2020 updates
August 2020 updates
September 2020 updates
Thursday, Oct. 1
Friday, Oct. 2
Monday, Oct. 5
Tuesday, Oct. 6
Wednesday, Oct. 7
Thursday, Oct. 8
