COVID-19 update: Officials issue vast orders to halt spread, JOCO records first death
As the novel coronavirus continued its spread across the globe, government officials Saturday implemented more measures to help combat the virus and the pandemic’s economic fallout.
In Kansas, Johnson County reported its first death from COVID-19, the state’s second death attributed to the virus. Sanmi Areola, director of the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment, said the patient was a man in his 70s with underlying health conditions and no history of travel.
“This is a tragic loss of life and we share our heartfelt condolences with the family,” Areola said in a news release.
Testing for the virus, which has infected over 22,000 people nationwide, was reduced in Johnson County Wednesday after it reached the stage where transmission was occurring on a community level, officials said. Kansas health officials announced Friday that the state was running “precariously low” on test kits and could run out by the end of the weekend.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas jumped to at least 55 by Saturday afternoon. Johnson County, the state’s most populous county, has reported 26 cases, including one death.
The number of confirmed Missouri cases increased to 73, including three deaths, with the state expected to update the tally late Saturday night.
As mayors in Kansas City and St. Louis moved Saturday to further restrict movement, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson issued an order of his own. He ordered restaurants and bars to stop serving customers in house and ordered individuals to avoid gatherings of more than 10 people. But it is not as restrictive as the “stay-at-home” or “shelter-in-place” orders issued elsewhere in the state and nation.
Parson also limited visitation to nursing homes, but said grocery stores, gas stations, parks and banks would remain open.
“If you don’t have to get out, stay home,” he said at a Saturday afternoon press conference in Jefferson City. “This is a public health emergency.”
Earlier in the day, St. Louis County and City both enacted stay-at-home orders in an effort to stop the pandemic’s spread. Those measures still allow residents to go to grocery stores and pharmacies and walk in public parks. But people will be required to stay home “when possible.”
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas issued a similar stay-at-home order Saturday afternoon.
Missouri’s governor also announced new regulatory changes Saturday designed to help individuals affected by the pandemic. The income tax filing and payment deadline was extended to July 15. Likewise, the state will automatically renew driver’s licenses and automobile registrations for those whose documents were set to expire in March or April.
Regulations on childcare centers will be relaxed to allow more children — including preschool and school-age — children into each center.
Parson implored individuals to rely on facts, not fear during the pandemic, but asked that people practice social distancing.
“Every day this changes,” the governor said.
This story was originally published March 21, 2020 at 5:50 PM.
