With over 600 new COVID-19 cases, KC metro hits record high for second straight day
For the third time in less than one week, the Kansas City metropolitan area has broken its record for the highest number of new COVID-19 cases.
The area encompassing Kansas City and Jackson, Clay and Platte counties in Missouri and Johnson and Wyandotte counties on the Kansas side added 605 new cases.
The previous record was set Wednesday when 555 new cases were confirmed. That surpassed Sunday’s record of 485.
The seven day rolling average for new cases was 430. One week ago, it was 290. On July 1, it was 204.
The positive test rate was 5.38% in Kansas City, 6.3% in Jackson County, 7.64% in Clay County, 6.66% in Platte County, 6.3% in Johnson County and 17.3% in Wyandotte County.
Ten days ago, the positive test rate was 4.77% in Kansas City, 5.58% in Jackson County, 7.34% in Clay County, 5.32% in Platte County, 5.6% in Johnson County and 16.2% in Wyandotte County.
At a media briefing hosted by the University of Kansas Health System, experts encouraged the public to wear masks.
“We’re trying really hard to keep things open, so please wear your masks,” said Erin Corriveau, deputy medical officer in Wyandotte County.
Steve Stites, chief medical officer at the health system, said the science on masks is clear.
“Masks do not kill you, they don’t cause you to inhale carbon dioxide. Masks are uncomfortable, there’s no two ways about it, but masks save lives,” he said. “That’s science. Fear can govern you and fear can lead to some really bad choices. Just remember that there’s proof in masks that has been earned not just over this pandemic, but over generations. Masks work.”
The metro added six deaths. Five were in Clay County and one was in Kansas City, bringing the area’s total to 300.
On Thursday, Missouri reported 36,063 cases, including 1,159 deaths. The positive test rate was 5.8%.
Kansas, which last updated its numbers Wednesday, has at least 24,104 cases, including 308 deaths. The positive test rate was 9%.
Nationwide, more than 4 million people have contracted the virus and more than 143,000 people have died, according to Johns Hopkins University.
This story was originally published July 23, 2020 at 3:32 PM.
