Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly orders flags flown at half-staff

Kansas City metro area health officials are grappling with how to handle continuing case count increases after reopening businesses more than four months ago. What you need to know:The Kansas Department of Health and Environment said Wednesday the state has 236,818 confirmed cases of COVID-19, and there have been 3,027 deaths since the outbreak started. Kansas is now only updating COVID-19 data on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services said Thursday there have been 412,426 cases of COVID-19 since the start of the outbreak and 5,882 deaths.THURSDAY4:05 p.m. — The Johnson County Library said its Lenexa City Center Branch at 8778 Penrose Ln. will be temporarily closed through Jan. 12 due to a potential COVID-19 exposure. In an abundance of caution, the closure includes the drive-thru window, materials return and the holds pick-up lobby. Holds on materials that were available at the branch will be extended. 3 p.m.– Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly said she is ordering flags in the state to be lowered to half-staff to remember the more than 3,000 people that have died from COVID-19. On Wednesday, Kansas passed another grim milestone in the coronavirus pandemic — 3,000 deaths from COVID-19.Kelly ordered flags to be flown at half-staff to honor the 3,027 “lives lost and the families left behind.”“It is with great sadness that I am once again ordering flags to be lowered to half-staff in honor of the Kansans who have lost their lives to COVID-19,” Kelly said in a statement. “My administration remains committed to fighting further spread of COVID-19, and I know Kansans will do their part to protect their neighbors and loved ones.”11 a.m. — The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services reported on Thursday that the state has 412,426 total confirmed cases since the pandemic began. That number is an increase of 3,983 cases from Wednesday’s total.There have now been 5,882 deaths linked to COVID-19 in Missouri, which up 24 from Wednesday’s total.There have been 70 deaths reported in the last seven days.[ MISSOURI COVID-19 DASHBOARD]Missouri does not list how many people have recovered from COVID-19.The state said it has tested a total of 3,747,390 and 89,759 were tested in the past seven days. There have been 17,270 positive cases and an average of 2,467 cases a day in the last week.Looking at local numbers, the DHSS reported 31,709 (+320) confirmed cases in Kansas City, Missouri, and 24,252 (+469) cases in Jackson County. The state also lists 6,603 (+128) cases in Clay County, 5,872 (+122) in Cass County and 2,521 (+66) in Platte County.8 a.m.–Missouri lawmakers on Wednesday began what’s guaranteed to be an unusual legislative session as the state continues its battle with the coronavirus pandemic.The usually packed House was noticeably empty when the chamber convened, with only the most veteran lawmakers present to take their oaths in order to reduce the number of guests in the galleries. The newer lawmakers were gradually added until the 163-member chamber was again full, with lawmakers packed closely at their desks. Democratic representatives wore masks, but most Republicans did not. The smaller 34-member Senate convened in one group, with a similar partisan divide in mask-wearing. Legislative leaders said precautions will be in place to avoid the spread of COVID-19 during the Republican-led Legislature’s roughly five-month annual session, although rules primarily apply to staffers and not lawmakers. House and Senate administrative staff must wear face masks, but that’s optional for lawmakers. The Senate is limiting staff seating in committee rooms, and the House is allowing employees to work from home when practical. Republican Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz, who himself tested positive for COVID-19 but has since recovered, said healthcare and other essential workers are on the frontlines daily. He said lawmakers are “going to have to do the same thing” and find a way to work safely.“Maybe by the middle of summer we might have this thing a little bit further behind us,” Schatz said. “But until then I plan on us moving forward and continuing business in the best way we can.”When legislators last convened for a special session shortly after the Nov. 3 election, their work was delayed into December after several lawmakers and staff tested positive for COVID-19. State Rep. Brenda Shields told The Associated Press she tested positive for COVID-19 on Nov. 12 after spending the previous days in Jefferson City. Shields said she regularly wore a mask and doesn’t know how she contracted the virus. At first, her symptoms appeared mild, like a head cold with fatigue. But two weeks later, Shields said she experienced “extreme heaviness” in her chest. Doctors said her lung capacity was less than 50% — as if she was a lifelong smoker, though she’s never smoked — and that she also had developed…

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