TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A third coronavirus death has been reported in Kansas as more than half of the state’s residents are facing orders to stay at home except for essential services, such as buying groceries or receiving health care.
The Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, announced Tuesday night that the latest victim is a man in his 70s who tested positive for COVID-19 last week.
“We offer our prayers and thoughts to the family and friends of the deceased. Their sadness is our sadness,” Mayor David Alvey said in a statement. “Our own family and friends are precious to us, and so I call on each one of us to protect one another and stop the spread of COVID-19!”
As of Tuesday, Kansas was reporting at least 98 positive cases. Two other deaths had been reported previously in the Kansas City area. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment said the ages of those who tested positive ranged from 7 to 90, with the median age of 52.
At least 10 counties have issued orders for their residents to stay home in an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Some of the orders take effect Wednesday while others will start early Thursday. Counties that added orders Tuesday included Sedgwick, the home of Wichita, the state’s largest city, and Shawnee, which includes the state capital of Topeka.
Gov. Laura Kelly has not issued a statewide stay-at-home order but she said on Monday that it might become “unavoidable” as more positive cases of COVID-19 are reported.