Kansas City reports first coronavirus patients Wednesday in two unrelated cases
A woman in her 40s and man in his 30s have tested positive for COVID-19, the first confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Kansas City, the city’s health department announced Wednesday afternoon.
The health department has started its formal investigations to determine if others who had contact with the man or woman are showing symptoms and should be tested or isolated, the department said in a press release.
Both people are isolated in their homes and their cases appear to be unrelated, the department said.
“We knew it was only a matter of time before one of our residents would learn they had COVID-19,” Dr. Rex Archer, the city’s director of health, said in the release. “With viruses, there are no borders. Everyone in the Kansas City metro area must be on guard. Leave your home only when absolutely necessary.”
A Children’s Mercy Hospital patient who tested positive for coronavirus, announced earlier in the day, was not a Kansas City resident, the health department said.
The department said it would provide the public as much information as possible while respecting the patients’ privacy.
“If any health department calls or leaves a message to call back, please answer or return the call,” Archer said.
Mayor Quinton Lucas said he was saddened for residents and others suffering from COVID-19, both directly and indirectly.
“This shows the virus is spreading throughout our community,” he said. “We know there will be more cases, but to reduce the spread I urge all residents to practice social distancing and to stay home except for essential needs.”
This story was originally published March 18, 2020 at 2:48 PM.
