Two Kansas counties report first coronavirus cases, Kansas total is now 31
Two Kansas counties are reporting their first cases of the new coronavirus, increasing the number of patients to 31.
The Morris County Health Department said two people have tested positive for COVID-19. One person in Jackson County, Kansas, has also been infected.
More cases have also been reported in Johnson County and Wyandotte County, where the virus has hit the state hardest.
Health officials in Johnson County said Thursday that 16 people have tested positive for COVID-19. Twelve cases had been found as of Wednesday.
Johnson County has community spread of the virus, Kansas officials announced Wednesday.
At least five cases involved people who did not contract COVID-19 through travel or contact with known patients.
Wyandotte County has six cases.
An additional case in Wyandotte County resulted in the death of a man in his 70s one week ago.
The coronavirus has also been found in Leavenworth, Douglas, Franklin, Butler and Ford counties.
The pandemic has prompted statewide measures by Gov. Laura Kelly, who has closed K-12 schools for the remainder of the semester, halted mortgage foreclosures and evictions, and banned gatherings of more than 50 people.
Health officials have urged older people to stay home and advised the public to avoid crowds and practice social distancing.
More than 9,000 cases have been reported in the U.S. The virus has infected more than 222,000 people globally, according to tracking from Johns Hopkins University.
This story was originally published March 19, 2020 at 10:41 AM.
