Kansas announces three new coronavirus cases, all in Johnson County

Kansas announced three new cases of coronavirus Thursday, all in Johnson County, as alarm over the disease mounted and Kansas City declared a state of emergency.

Health officials in Kansas said the new cases involve men between 35 and 65 who traveled to a Florida conference. Officials did not identify the event but said it was associated with cases of COVID-19.

The announcement, made at a news conference in Topeka, brought the state’s number of confirmed cases to four. Johnson County was also the site of the state’s first case, a Johnson County woman under 50, which was announced on Saturday. Officials said the case was unrelated to those announced Thursday.

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson also announced on Saturday Missouri’s first positive case of COVID-19, which was reported in St. Louis County.

Mary Beverly, interim director of the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment, said the three men weren’t showing symptoms when they traveled back from the conference.

“Once they developed symptoms, they did all the right things and were isolated appropriately,” Beverly said.

Health officials will contact individuals who have been exposed to the three men, she said. She added that there is currently no evidence that the virus is spreading within the Johnson County community.

Beverly said that means “we still have an opportunity to put actions in place to protect the health of Johnson County residents.”

“Our goal is to reduce the transmission of COVID-19 throughout the community so our health care system does not get overwhelmed and we keep the number of cases low,” Beverly said.

She advised people to exercise vigilance when attending mass gatherings, particularly people over 60 or those with weakened immune systems and chronic conditions. As health officials have done repeatedly, she emphasized the importance of washing hands frequently, covering your cough and staying home when you’re sick.

Lee Norman, secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, said authorities are recognizing that there will be a gradual increase in the number of cases from people coming into the state, but “hopefully none locally transmitted.”

Earlier on Thursday, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas declared a state of emergency -- forcing cancellation of all events of more than 1,000 people. The University of Kansas, Kansas State University, and the University of Missouri have all taken steps to either extend spring break or move classes online.

Rep. Sharice Davids, a Democrat who lives in Johnson County, said that she had been in close communication with state and local health authorities about the situation in her district.

She will host a telephone town hall Thursday evening with Norman for constituents who have questions about COVID-19.

“Everyone has a role to play in reducing the spread of this virus in our community, including practicing preventative measures like covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze, staying home when you are sick, and avoiding touching your face,” Davids said in a statement.

Rep. Roger Marshall, a Republican from western Kansas, was on a phone call with reporters when the new cases were announced.

“It’s a congressman’s worst nightmare to get news from the press on a phone call,” he said.

Marshall, a physician, encouraged Kansans to contact their primary care doctors and county health departments if they feel symptoms to find out where they can receive a test for the virus.

“I’m surprised we don’t have more than four infections in Kansas right now. This is certainly a time to practice common sense. Wash your hands,” said Marshall, who is mounting a campaign for U.S. Senate.

He applauded the Kansas Department of Health and Environment for the speed at which it’s been responding to possible cases.

Kansas will receive $5.9 million from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help combat the spread of the virus. Neighboring Missouri will receive $9.9 million.

The U.S. House is set to vote as early as Thursday on a relief package to ensure paid sick leave and unemployment insurance for workers affected by the crisis.

The House bill would also increase food assistance for low-income families and ensure that coronavirus tests are conducted for free, measures that Davids applauded.

“The really important things to me is to make sure that while we’re working to keep people physically safe that we’re keeping people financially secure as well,” Davids said in a phone call after the new Johnson County cases had been announced.

Marshall said he had not yet seen the legislation, but he accused House Democrats of trying to accomplish too much too quickly and said Congress should take a few more days to craft a bipartisan bill.

“I don’t think this is the time to light money on fire,” he said. “I just think we’re going to have a much better idea if we catch our breath.”

Lisa Gutierrez and Laura Bauer contributed reporting

This story was originally published March 12, 2020 at 11:19 AM with the headline "Kansas announces three new coronavirus cases, all in Johnson County."