TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas death toll from the coronavirus pandemic rose to 411 on Wednesday as public health officials reported six more deaths.
The state Department of Health and Environment also reported on its website that Kansas had another 723 confirmed and probable cases since Monday, an increase of 2%, for a total of 35,890.
The actual number of cases is thought to be far higher because people can be infected without feeling ill and because of a lack of testing, particularly early in the pandemic.
Kansas has had 441 coronavirus clusters since the pandemic began, with 209 deaths at long-term care facilities, the health department said. Clusters at meatpacking plants accounted for 19 deaths and religious gatherings accounted for 12 deaths.
Health officials reported five clusters at Kansas colleges and universities associated with 57 coronavirus cases, with no hospitalizations or deaths associated with them.
Daycare facilities and schools were associated with 16 clusters associated with 78 cases, including one which required hospitalization.
Shawnee Mission, among the state’s largest school districts, plans to start classes online and suspend sports. But a neighboring school district is holding off on making a call as some parents urge them to reopen.
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