As schools debate COVID-19 action plans, Kansas City metro sees 300 new cases Wednesday
The Kansas City metro area recorded 300 new coronavirus cases Wednesday as Kansas schools are deciding whether to return to class in person next month.
The area encompassing Kansas City and Jackson, Clay and Platte counties in Missouri and Johnson and Wyandotte counties in Kansas has recorded a total of 26,385 cases of the rapidly spreading virus.
The seven-day rolling average of new cases in the metro is 361. Last week it was 369. Two weeks ago, it was 406.
Two new deaths were reported Wednesday, both in Wyandotte County. At least 377 people in the metro area have died from the virus so far.
In Johnson County, where schools are beginning to announce whether they will return in person for the semester, 81 new cases of the virus were reported Wednesday.
After Johnson County health officials advised district leaders that the area does not meet the criteria necessary to reopen Tuesday, the Shawnee Mission School District announced classes would start online and suspend sports and activities. The Blue Valley school board voted to, instead, conduct its own evaluation of COVID-19 data and make a decision by the end of the week.
On Wednesday, Missouri listed 70,675 cases, including 1,414 deaths.
The positive test rate was 11.18%.
Kansas reported 35,890 cases, including 411 deaths.
The positive test rate was 10%.
Nationwide, the virus has infected more than 5.5 million people, killing more than 172,000, according to Johns Hopkins University.
This story was originally published August 19, 2020 at 2:59 PM.
