Kansas City COVID Midweek: Hospitals Maxed As 'Flurona' Emerges

Worsening pandemic news offers more of the same . . .

Politically charged disputes over policy amid worsening confusion from the public about the direction of the crisis.

Check out latest headline blast for another glimpse at how this situation continues to play out:

Doctors: Kansas City's hospital capacity is maxed out as COVID-19 cases surge

Doctors are making a plea to Kansas City: Don't visit the emergency room for COVID-19 testing or for minor problems. They don't have room."I just need the assistance of my fellow Kansas Citians to recognize when to use that emergency department and when to use an urgent care or when to just stay home and isolate," said Dr. Marc Larsen, of Saint Luke's Health System.Emergency rooms across the Saint Luke's Health System are packed.

Kansas City hospitals say short staffing, high COVID cases could impact other patients

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Children's Mercy Hospital has reached a new peak of COVID-19 patients. Doctors now share concern as the hospital heads into its busiest time of year, taking care of kids with RSV and the Flu. "We still have about 10-15 patients with RSV every day," Dr. Jennifer Watts said.

First case of 'flurona' confirmed in Kansas

HAYS, Kan. (WIBW) -- Health officials in central Kansas have confirmed the first report of "flurona" in the state. "Flurona" is the term referring to when a patient has been diagnosed with influenza and COVID at the same time. The news was delivered by a representative from Hays Medical Center during a statewide COVID crisis conference call Wednesday morning.

Exclusive: Gov. Parson talks about latest COVID surge, mass testing sites

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - People around the state are waiting hours in line to get a COVID test, but Missouri's governor says the state has plenty of supplies and does not plan to open a mass testing site. Gov.

Johnson County to discuss masking for younger students Thursday

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Johnson County Commissioners will meet on Thursday morning to discuss whether to extend a current mask mandate for students in kindergarten through 6th grade. The mandate has been in effect since last August when commissioners passed the mandate in a meeting that lasted nearly three hours.

Kansas City man's mission to continue after death from COVID-19

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City area man's COVID-19 mission must continue, in spite of his death at the hands of the virus. Rafael Hines founded Meals for Kids and Success Outreach Link KC, a mission touching tens of thousands of families, serving more than 500,000 meals just last summer.

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