Cass County issues stay at home order, following KC metro action to stop COVID-19
A stay at home order was issued for Cass County Monday to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, after similar orders were issued across much of the Kansas City area.
The orders require residents to stay at home, leaving only for essential activities such as obtaining groceries and medicine.
The order Monday from the Cass County Health Department, like those covering Johnson, Wyandotte, Jackson, Clay and Platte counties, and Kansas City, begins at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday and continues until April 24.
In Kansas, Leavenworth and Douglas counties have also issued stay at home orders.
Such orders have been recommended by public health experts to establish and maintain the practice of social distancing, a necessary step in stopping the spread of the virus through the community.
By Sunday, Missouri officials had recorded 106 confirmed cases of COVID-19 while Kansas reported 64, though public health officials warn the actually infection rate was likely higher.
Nationwide, there were more than 41,000 confirmed cases and 479 deaths as of Monday, according to a database maintained by Johns Hopkins University. Worldwide, there were more than 360,000 cases and 15,495 deaths.
The Cass County order, like the others, defines essential activities as including working in an essential business, obtaining necessary supplies including cleaning supplies and pet food, seeking medical care, caring for a family member and exercising for personal health.
All nonessential business must cease in-person operations. More information is posted on the county website at casscounty.com.
Vulnerable populations including the elderly and those with underlying health conditions must stay at home, the order says.
This story was originally published March 23, 2020 at 1:59 PM.
