Three counties in KC metro open up Monday as area surpasses 3,000 COVID-19 cases
The Kansas City metropolitan area surpassed 3,000 coronavirus cases Monday as 71 new cases were reported.
The area, encompassing Kansas City and Jackson, Clay and Platte counties in Missouri and Johnson and Wyandotte counties in Kansas, has reported 3,027 cases.
New cases were identified in each of the six jurisdictions with 16 in Kansas City, three in Jackson County, one in Clay County, four in Platte County, 21 in Johnson County and 26 in Wyandotte County.
Local officials have been tracking the rise in new cases as businesses in the metro begin reopening.
On Saturday, 68 new cases were reported in the area, while Sunday saw an increase of 56.
On Monday, Jackson, Johnson and Wyandotte counties began easing restrictions. While some businesses were allowed to reopen, people must abide by social distancing rules.
Health officials have also encouraged people to wear masks.
“Out in public, in the workplace, wearing a mask is going to be important when you can’t maintain that six feet of distance,” said Dana Hawkinson, medical director of infection prevention and control with the University of Kansas Health System. “They are meant to protect other people from you if you are having symptoms or may not be having symptoms and could possibly be spreading the disease.”
Two more deaths were announced on Monday, bringing the total to 148. One death was in Johnson County and one was in Wyandotte County.
On Monday, Kansas reported 7,116 positive cases, including 158 deaths. Another 46,993 tests have been negative.
Missouri confirmed 9,918 cases, including 488 deaths. A total of 115,546 people have been tested.
