First coronavirus fatality in Kansas City region: a 70-year-old Wyandotte County man

Coronavirus claimed its first fatality in the Kansas City region Thursday, a 70-year-old man who lived in a long-term care facility in Wyandotte County, Kansas officials announced.

The death was disclosed at an early evening press conference by Gov. Laura Kelly, who also declared a state of emergency, which allows officials to activate certain emergency services to assist local communities.

State officials said the man was transported to Providence Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas with acute cardiac symptoms and a fever. He died Wednesday morning.

A post-mortem examination revealed that he was infected with the virus, officials said.

This marks the fifth confirmed case in Kansas and the first outside of Johnson County. Earlier Thursday afternoon, officials announced three new Johnson County cases. The first Kansas case, announced last Saturday, was a Johnson County woman.

The man who died was not traveling, said Lee Norman, secretary for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. It is unclear how he contracted the virus, but his appears to be the region’s first case in which the virus was community spread.

Health officials will be testing other residents of the long term care facility where the victim lived. They said they are also investigating who might have been in contact with the man over the past 14 days.

Those who have been in contact will be quarantined by the state, officials said.

Kelly appealed for calm.

“This is not a time to panic,” she said, stressing that the best course of action for residents continued to be frequent hand washing and social distancing.

“I want every Kansan to know we will use all resources necessary to mitigate the spread of this virus,” Kelly said.

Laura Howard, secretary for the Kansas Department of Children and Families, said nursing facilities would be following guidelines set by the Center for Medicaid and Medicaid Services to help control the virus.

That could include restricting access to visitors.

“It can be frustrating if you have a loved one who may be in one of these facilities,” Howard said.

“But know that those who are young, those who are healthy who may not have very much of an impact from COVID-19 can be the very carrier who puts the most vulnerable at risk.”

Kelly said her administration would start limiting visitors to the statehouse. Large gatherings will be canceled. The Kansas Legislature, however, will continue with business as usual.

Kansas officials are setting up a phone bank that will stay up till 10 p.m. Thursday for more information, at 866-534-3463. It will open again Friday morning during business hours.

The state of emergency will allow Kansas to activate its state response plan, said Kansas Adjutant General Lee Tafanelli. The state would be able to synchronize more of its resources, and support local communities.

Rep. Sharice Davids, whose 3rd congressional district includes Wyandotte County, expressed her condolences to the family of the deceased and said officials would redouble their efforts to control the virus.

“It’s essential we confront this public health crisis with every tool at our disposal, including the emergency declaration issued by Governor Kelly,” Davids said in a statement. “It’s also essential every person practices preventative measures like covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze, staying home when you are sick, and avoiding touching your face.”

This story was originally published March 12, 2020 at 7:08 PM.