KANSAS CITY, Mo. — As coronavirus continues to spread in the United States, many events are being postponed or canceled, including some in the Kansas City metro.
On this page, we will continually post information related to COVID-19, also known as coronavirus. Check back for updates.
6:30 p.m. | Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas and health department officials say they continue to monitor the situation following the Big 12 Conference's decision to ban fans from tournament games beginning Thursday. "While Kansas City was eager and prepared to host fans from across the country during the Big 12 men’s and women’s basketball tournaments this weekend, keeping our community — and their players — safe remains our top priority," the statement read.
6:20 p.m. | Truman State University says it will not have in-person classes the week of March 16. Students are on spring break until then.
5:45 p.m. | Starting Thursday, fans will not be allowed to attend Big 12 Tournament games in Kansas City. Cheerleaders and pep bands also will not be allowed.
5:30 p.m. | First responders say they are taking additional steps to protect themselves from the spread of coronavirus. The Kansas City, Missouri, Fire Department is having responders wear a mask, gown and eye protectors when entering a home, as well as assessing the situation before having the rest of the crew enter.
5:25 p.m. | Kansas City University says it is transitioning to online learning and will suspend face-to-face instruction when students return from spring break on Monday, March 16 through at least Tuesday, March 31. The campus will remain open for faculty and staff.
A spokesman for the University of Missouri—Kansas City says it has not decided to switch to an all-online instructional format at this time, but the school is making preparations if it becomes necessary.
5:16 p.m. | Fans are being let into the Sprint Center for tonight's Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament. Earlier today, the NCAA said that fans will not be allowed at NCAA Tournament games that start next week.
5:15 p.m. | The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services says it has now tested 65 people for COVID-19, with 64 of those patients testing negative. The one patient who tested positive is a woman in her 20s in the St. Louis area. Her case has been confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In Kansas, 41 people have tested negative for COVID-19, and one patient was confirmed positive. That patient, a Johnson County woman, is being treated at the University of Kansas Hospital.
4:55 p.m. | Sporting Kansas City's March 21 game in San Jose has been postponed. The match will be rescheduled and played at a later date, Major League Soccer announced Wednesday.
4:30 p.m. | The Jackson County Assessment Department said the Board of Equalization will begin conducting appeal hearings by phone, rather than in person. BOE staff will notify those with pending appeals about the change.
4:30 p.m. | The University of Missouri—Columbia is suspending in-person classes "out of an abundance of caution" until March 15. Classes will be held remotely from March 16 through March 20. The university will remain open.
