Month: February 2021

COVID-19 case numbers reported

Wyandotte County reported an increase of 25 COVID-19 cases on Saturday, Feb. 13, according to the Unified Government’s COVID-19 webpage. There were a cumulative 17,340 cases. There was a cumulative total of 247 deaths, an increase of two since Friday.

The Mid-America Regional Council’s COVID-19 dashboard reported 153,153 cumulative COVID-19 cases on Saturday. There were 2,029 cumulative deaths, and 104 was the daily average of new hospitalizations.

The state of Kansas reported 286,102 COVID-19 cases statewide on Friday, an increase of 1,208 cases since Wednesday, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. There were an additional 61 deaths reported, with a cumulative total of 4,364.

The Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 dashboard on Saturday night reported 27,574,202 cases in the United States, with 484,200 total deaths nationwide.


Free COVID-19 tests Monday

Free COVID-19 tests will be available from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 15, at Oak Ridge Baptist Church, 9301 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas. The tests are through the Wyandotte County Health Equity Task Force. Appointments are not necessary.

The Unified Government Health Department’s COVID-19 test site at the former Kmart building at 78th and State will be closed Monday, Presidents Day. It will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 16. Appointments are not needed for COVID-19 tests. To see if there is any change to the schedule, visit https://www.facebook.com/UGHealthDept.

The Health Department is now offering saliva COVID-19 tests to the public.
Tests from the Health Department are free for those who live or work in Wyandotte County.

The tests are open to asymptomatic people as well as those who have symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19. Check with the UG Health Department’s Facebook page to see if there have been any changes in the schedule. Bring something that shows that you live or work in Wyandotte County, such as a utility bill.

Testing at Pierson Community Center will be closed on Monday, Presidents Day. COVID-19 tests also will be available by appointment starting at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16, at the Pierson Community Center parking lot, 1800 S. 55th St., Kansas City, Kansas. Hours are subject to change depending on the weather and other factors. These tests are through WellHealth Management. Appointments are required at the Pierson Community Center. For more information and to schedule a test, visit www.GoGetTested.com/Kansas.

Wyandotte County residents who are interested in getting a COVID-19 vaccine may fill out a survey form at the UG Health Department at https://us.openforms.com/Form/2f2bcc68-3b6a-450b-9007-d39819db6572. Residents will be contacted to make an appointment when vaccine becomes available. The Health Department currently is vaccinating high-contact critical workers, as well as residents over 85.

Testing sites are at https://wyandotte-county-covid-19-hub-unifiedgov.hub.arcgis.com/pages/what-to-do-if-you-think-you-have-covid-19.

Saliva testing is now offered at the UG Health Department. For more information, visit https://alpha.wycokck.org/files/assets/public/health/documents/covid/02042021-ugphd-saliva-testing-available.pdf.

The University of Kansas Health System COVID-19 update page is at https://www.kansashealthsystem.com/patient-visitor/covid19-update.

For more information about how Wyandotte County residents over 85 can get a vaccine at the Health Department site, visit https://alpha.wycokck.org/files/assets/public/health/documents/covid/02032021_wycovaccinationsage85.pdf.

Vaccine data for the state of Kansas is at https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data.

Cards and letters of encouragement for caregivers at KU Health System may be sent to Share Joy, care of Patient Relations, 4000 Cambridge St., Mailstop 1021, Kansas City, Kansas, 66160. Emails can be sent to [email protected].


Wyandotte County is under a mandatory mask and social distancing order.


The UG COVID-19 webpage is at https://alpha.wycokck.org/Coronavirus-COVID-19-Information.


The KDHE’s COVID-19 webpage is at https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/.


The KC Region COVID-19 Hub dashboard is at https://marc2.org/covidhub/.


The Wyandotte County page on the Johns Hopkins COVID-19 website is at https://bao.arcgis.com/covid-19/jhu/county/20209.html.

The Johns Hopkins Data in Motion, a presentation on critical COVID-19 data in the past 24 hours, is at https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/covid-19-daily-video.

Faith news

Some faith groups are holding online or video services. In Wyandotte County, those who are older than 60 or who have other medical conditions should continue being very cautious, according to the Wyandotte County health officials. Those who are sick should stay home, according to officials.
More details about Wyandotte County health guidelines for churches are at https://www.wycokck.org/WycoKCK/media/Health-Department/Documents/Communicable%20Disease/COVID19/COVID-19GuidelinesForChurches.pdf.
Some churches have been changing their services as a result of COVID-19 restrictions for the community. Residents are advised to visit the social media page of their church or faith organization, or to call them or email them, to see changes that have been made to regular schedules, or if there are video services planned on Sunday.

The Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas has information about churches, Masses, and reflections, at https://www.facebook.com/archkck.

Blessed Sacrament, Christ the King and Our Lady and St. Rose Catholic churches have resumed in-person Masses. For more information, visit the churches’ websites or Facebook pages at https://www.facebook.com/Christ-the-King-Parish-KCKS-1392808997677579, https://www.facebook.com/BlessedSacramentkck, and https://www.facebook.com/ourladyandsaintrose/. Sunday Mass is online at https://www.facebook.com/BlessedSacramentkck. Christ the King will hold Ash Wednesday Masses at 8:30 a.m. (school), 2 p.m. (school) and 6 p.m. Feb. 17, and at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 17 in Spanish. Blessed Sacrament will hold Ash Wednesday Masses at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 17, and at 7 p.m. in Spanish.

Christ the King Catholic Church, 3024 N. 53rd, will hold a Community Blood Center blood drive from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, March 8, at Davern Hall, in the church basement. Those interested in donating blood may visit https://savealifenow.org/ to make an appointment or get more information, or call 816-753-4040, or visit https://www.facebook.com/Christ-the-King-Parish-KCKS-1392808997677579.

Casa – Worship House Christian Church, 5217 Leavenworth Road, Kansas City, Kansas, will have services at 11 a.m. Sunday. The church has an online service at www.facebook.com/casadealabanzaKCKS. Check with the church’s social media page for more information on services. For more information, visit Facebook @casadealabanzaKCKS.

The First Christian Church of Bonner Springs, 148 N. Nettleton, Bonner Springs, will hold a Community Blood Center blood drive from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 16, in the Fellowship Hall. Those interested in donating blood may visit https://savealifenow.org/ to make an appointment or get more information, or call 816-753-4040.

Oak Ridge Missionary Baptist Church, 9301 Parallel Parkway, will hold a Community Blood Center blood drive from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 15, at its Family Life Center. Those interested in donating blood may visit https://savealifenow.org/ to make an appointment or get more information, or call 816-753-4040.

Open Door Baptist Church, 3033 N. 103rd Terrace, Kansas City, Kansas, will have services in person with social distancing at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 14. There will be a livestream service at https://www.facebook.com/opendoorkc/ and https://www.opendoorkc.com/.

Stony Point Christian Church, 149 S. 78th St., Kansas City, Kansas, has canceled the in-person worship service for Sunday, Feb. 14, because of the extremely cold weather and possible snow. The church plans to livestream services at 10:15 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 14, on its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/StonyPointChristianChurch.

St. Patrick Catholic Church, Kansas City, Kansas, has a Mass online for Sunday, Feb. 14, at https://www.facebook.com/StPatrickKCK. St. Patrick Church also has in-person Masses. Masses on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17, will be at 6:30 a.m., 8:10 a.m. (school), noon, 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. (Spanish).

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1300 N. 18th St., Kansas City, Kansas, will hold its services at 10 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 14 online at https://www.stpaulskck.org/ and https://www.facebook.com/StPaulsKCK/.

Sunset Hills Christian Church, 6347 Leavenworth Road, Kansas City, Kansas, plans to have online services on Facebook at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 14. There are no in-person services this Sunday. For more information about this Sunday’s plans, visit the Facebook page of Pastor Mike Barnett, https://www.facebook.com/mike.barnett.528. Services are also provided through checkout of DVD or SD Card and can be sent by email upon request.

Wyandotte United Methodist Church, 7901 Oakland Ave., will have a livestreamed service Sunday, Feb. 14, on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/Wyandotteumc/ or online on the website at www.wyandotteumc.com.

Information about other church services in Wyandotte County may be available from the church’s social media page.
To send in items for the Faith News, email information to [email protected]. Please include your name and contact information.

Flags at half-staff honoring Dodge City legislator

Gov. Laura Kelly has directed U.S. flags to be lowered at half-staff at all state buildings, grounds, and facilities beginning Saturday, Feb. 13, until the day of interment, in honor of Kansas Sen. Bud Estes.

Estes, Dodge City, has represented Kansas Senate District 38 since 2017. Prior, Estes served in the Kansas House of Representatives from 2014 to 2017 and as mayor of Bucklin, Kansas, from 1976 to 1990.


“I was deeply saddened to hear of Senator Estes’ passing,” Gov. Kelly said. “Senator Estes had a long history of serving the Southwest Kansas community, his legacy will live on through his public service. I extend my deepest sympathies to his friends and family during their time of mourning.”