Kansas City Hospitals Demand COVID Emergency

In this collection we offer a quick glimpse at local COVID news and dire declarations from medical pros.

Check TKC pandemic news gathering . . .

Overwhelmed hospitals call for emergency declarations in Kansas, Missouri

KANSAS CITY, Kan. - Doctors from throughout the region Wednesday called for the community to do more to slow what they're calling the most severe surge in COVID-19 illnesses since the pandemic started. Doctors say increasing numbers of critically ill COVID-19 patients in hospitals affect access to healthcare for everyone.

KC area hospitals hold joint news conference as COVID hospitalizations rise: "We are at a critical juncture."

KANSAS CITY METRO (KCTV) -- Chief medical officers from hospitals around the Kansas City metro and outside of it held a joint news conference Wednesday morning about the rising number of COVID hospitalizations, as the highly-transmissible Omicron variant continues to spread.

Looking for a free COVID-19 test Wednesday? Consider a drive north from KC

If you're looking for a free COVID-19 test on Wednesday, you might consider a short drive north from Kansas City to Albany, Missouri. The Tri-County Health Department is promoting a free testing event at the Albany Fire Department from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.During the current omicron surge, testing events have experienced long waits around both Kansas and Missouri.

North Kansas City extends school mask mandate

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Students who attend school within the boundaries of North Kansas City will continue wearing masks to class. The city council voted 6-1 Tuesday night to extend the current order through Feb. 5. This decision comes as many districts moved in the opposite direction, making masks optional for students after the Kansas City, Missouri, mandate expired on Jan.

Shawnee Mission students back at school Wednesday, as schools grasp with mask policies and rising COVID hospitalizations

OVERLAND PARK, KS (KCTV) -- Shawnee Mission students will return from Winter Break on Wednesday, with masks required for pre-K and elementary school students and staff. Face coverings are optional, though, for those in the district's middle and high schools.

COVID-19 tests elusive, with Kansas City residents lined up for appointments, walk-ins

KANSAS CITY, Kan. - The market for COVID-19 tests is extremely competitive, especially after the holiday season. Appointments for same-day testing remain elusive while walk-in centers were slammed on the first Monday of the new year. But those tests are already showing the climbing case totals going into 2022.

Kansas City metro set a new record for COVID cases after the holidays: 'This is a dangerous moment'

A record 2,016 new COVID-19 cases in the Kansas City metro area were reported by the Mid-America Regional Council on Tuesday. The count includes cases that were not reported during the long New Year's holiday weekend.

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