View source for COVID-19 pandemic in Kansas

{{Short description|none}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox pandemic
| name               = COVID-19 pandemic in Kansas
<!--Maps are hidden because they are out of date or do not display the most recent data-->
<!--| map1               = COVID-19 rolling 14day Prevalence in Kansas by county.svg
| legend1            = {{COVID-19 pandemic in the United States new cases prevalence legend|state=Kansas}}
| map2               = COVID-19 Prevalence in Kansas by county.svg
| legend2            = {{COVID-19 pandemic in the United States prevalence legend|state=Kansas}}-->
| disease            = [[COVID-19]]
| virus_strain       = [[SARS-CoV-2]]
| location           = [[Kansas]], U.S.
| first_outbreak     = [[Wuhan]], [[Hubei]], [[China]]
| index_case         = [[Johnson County, Kansas|Johnson County]]
| arrival_date       = March 7, 2020
| confirmed_cases    = 887,076
| hospitalized_cases = 19,172 (cumulative)
| deaths             = 9,606
| website            = {{URL|https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov}}
}}
{{COVID-19 pandemic sidebar}}

The '''COVID-19 pandemic in Kansas''' is a [[COVID-19 pandemic|viral pandemic]] of [[COVID-19|coronavirus disease 2019]] (COVID-19), a novel infectious disease caused by [[severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2]] (SARS-CoV-2).

Government efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in Kansas became highly politicized after Governor [[Laura Kelly]] and the state's [[Kansas Republican Party|Republican]]-led [[Kansas Legislature|legislature]] clashed over measures to be taken in reopening the economy and the mandating of masks in late May. The result being that the state-wide reopening order would become a guideline and each county would be allowed to reopen as they see fit.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /> While research has shown a stabilized case rate in counties with a mask mandate,<ref name=":4" /> the state-wide mask mandate includes an "opt-out" provision which many counties continue to exercise.<ref name=":54" />

{{as of|2022|2|19|df=US|lc=y|alt=As of February 19, 2022,|since=y}} 1,745,263 residents of Kansas are fully vaccinated. That represents 59.9% of the population.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/covid-vaccine-tracker-global-distribution/|publisher=Bloomberg|title=More Than 5.6 Million Shots Given: Covid-19 Vaccine Tracker| newspaper=Bloomberg.com |access-date=December 30, 2020}}</ref>

==Timeline==
The first case was reported in [[Johnson County, Kansas|Johnson County]] on March 7, 2020. It was a woman less than 50 years old with travel history to the [[Northeastern United States]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The First Case of Coronavirus In Kansas Is Confirmed In Johnson County |url=https://www.kcur.org/post/first-case-coronavirus-kansas-confirmed-johnson-county#stream/0 |website=kcur.org |date=March 7, 2020 |access-date=March 31, 2020}}</ref> On March 12, another 3 cases were reported in Johnson County.<ref>{{Cite news |first1=Jonathan |last1=Shorman |first2=Bryan |last2=Lowry |date=March 12, 2020|title=Kansas reports another 3 cases in Johnson County|url=https://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article241128896.html|access-date=March 13, 2020|website=The Kansas City Star|language=en-US}}</ref> These were men between the ages of 35 and 65 who had recently traveled to a [[Florida]] conference. The first death was reported in [[Wyandotte County]], a man in his 70s who died from a heart condition, and tested positive for COVID-19 afterward.<ref>{{Cite web|date=March 12, 2020|title=Kansas reports first death in Wyandotte County|url=https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article241145806.html|access-date=March 13, 2020|website=The Kansas City Star|language=en-US}}</ref>  On March 13, a case was reported in [[Wichita, Kansas|Wichita]], a [[Butler County, Kansas|Butler County]] man in his 70s with recent international travel.<ref>{{cite web|title=Wichita hospital confirms first presumptive positive case of coronavirus|url=https://www.kwch.com/content/news/Welsey-Medical-Center-doctor-confirms-first-coronavirus-case-in-Wichita-568770071.html|access-date=March 14, 2020|website=[[KWCH-DT|KWCH 12 Eyewitness News]]|date=March 13, 2020 |publisher=Gray Television}}</ref>

On March 12, Governor Laura Kelly declared a [[state of emergency]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Brown|first1=Zoe|title=Kansas sees first coronavirus death, governor declared state of emergency|url=https://www.kctv5.com/coronavirus/kansas-sees-first-coronavirus-death-governor-declares-state-of-emergency/article_fa47fefa-64b9-11ea-af09-d763e0e77a73.html|access-date=March 16, 2020|website=KCTV Kansas City|language=en}}</ref> On March 15, the [[Kansas Department of Health and Environment]] (KDHE) advised that people returning from travel internationally, on cruise ships, or from California, New York, Washington State, or certain counties in Colorado, should [[self-isolate]] for 14 days on return. Governor Kelly stated that schools would temporarily close to in-person learning, and that the [[Kansas State Department of Education]] was coordinating a task force to deal with transitions to online classes, as well as other associated issues. She described COVID-19 as an "unprecedented challenge", and urged residents to be careful, practice "common sense safety measures", and respect those who are most vulnerable.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Smith|first1=Sherman|title=Kansas coronavirus update: Governor asks schools to close; KDHE wants travelers to quarantine at home|url=https://www.cjonline.com/news/20200315/kansas-coronavirus-update-governor-asks-schools-to-close-kdhe-wants-travelers-to-quarantine-at-home|access-date=March 16, 2020|website=The Topeka Capital-Journal|language=en}}</ref>

The next day, gatherings of more than 50 people were prohibited as per [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|CDC]] guidelines.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Carpenter|first1=Tim|title=Kelly imposes CDC limit of 50 people at gatherings, Kansas documents 11 cases|url=https://www.leavenworthtimes.com/news/20200316/kelly-imposes-cdc-limit-of-50-people-at-gatherings-kansas-documents-11-cases|access-date=March 16, 2020|website=The Leavenworth Times – Leavenworth, KS|language=en}}</ref> A stricter limit of 10 people was imposed by [[Johnson County, Kansas|Johnson County]] and the [[Wyandotte County, Kansas|Unified Government]] of Wyandotte (including the [[Kansas City metropolitan area]]), in partnership with local governments in [[Jackson County, Missouri|Jackson County]] and [[Kansas City, Missouri]], as well as the closing of all bars, restaurants, and theaters for at least 15 days effective March 17.<ref>{{cite web|title=Regional CORE 4 partners order temporary closings for some businesses; ban public gatherings of more than 10 people|url=https://www.jocogov.org/press-release/county-management/regional-core-4-partners-order-temporary-closings-some-businesses|access-date=March 17, 2020|website=Johnson County Kansas|language=en}}</ref>

On March 17, Kelly announced that all K-12 schools in the state would remain closed for the remainder of the school year (becoming the first state to make such a decision).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Coronavirus: U.S. Navy Hospital Ships To Deploy To New York, West Coast|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/03/18/817650302/coronavirus-kansas-becomes-1st-state-to-end-school-year-but-may-not-be-last|access-date=2020-07-16|website=NPR.org|language=en}}</ref>

=== Stay-at-home order ===
On March 24, three counties (Johnson and Wyandotte counties in Kansas; and Jackson County, Missouri) all announced that they would impose a [[stay-at-home order]] beginning at 12:01&nbsp;a.m.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kansas City metro under stay-at-home order effective Tuesday as coronavirus spreads|url=https://www.kansascity.com/news/coronavirus/article241400106.html|access-date=March 24, 2020|website=The Kansas City Star}}</ref> On March 28, Governor Kelly enacted a state-wide stay-at-home order taking effect March 30, requiring residents to remain and their residences unless conducting essential shopping, exercise, or medical needs; the state's [[Kansas Republican Party|Republican]] leadership issued a joint statement, stating that "we must diligently work together to strike a balance that is in the best interests of all Kansans". Self-isolation mandates were also extended to travel from other states.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-03-28|title=Kansas Governor Issues A Statewide Stay-At-Home Order, Which Starts Monday|url=https://www.kcur.org/health/2020-03-28/kansas-governor-issues-a-statewide-stay-at-home-order-which-starts-monday|access-date=2020-07-16|website=KCUR|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Carpenter|first=Tim|title=Kansas coronavirus update: Gov. Laura Kelly imposes statewide stay-at-home order; state logs 6th death, 267 cases|url=https://www.salina.com/news/20200328/kansas-coronavirus-update-gov-laura-kelly-imposes-statewide-stay-at-home-order-state-logs-6th-death-267-cases|access-date=2020-07-16|website=Salina Journal|language=en}}</ref>
[[File:Kansas National Guard (49853787773).jpg|left|thumb|Members of the [[Kansas National Guard]] package meals to be sent to food banks, May 2020]]
On April 15, amid pressure from the state's [[Kansas House of Representatives|House]] [[Kansas Republican Party|Republican]] majority to lift economic restrictions, the order was extended through May 3, with Kelly citing that "none of our internal predictions indicate that Kansas will peak by April 19."<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-04-15|title=Kansas Gov. Kelly Extends Her Coronavirus Stay-At-Home Order Into May|url=https://www.kcur.org/2020-04-15/gov-kelly-says-shes-likely-to-extend-her-coronavirus-stay-at-home-order-for-kansas|access-date=2020-07-16|website=KCUR|language=en}}</ref> Court documents related to lawsuits over the order by two churches revealed that on April 24, Kelly stated there were no plans to extend the stay-at-home order further, with plans to introduce "less restrictive mass gathering provisions" taking effect May 4.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Wheat|first=Shawn|title=Gov. Laura Kelly does not plan on extending Stay-at-Home order past May 3rd|url=https://www.wibw.com/content/news/Gov-Laura-Kelly-does-not-plan-on-extending-Stay-at-Home-order-past-May-3rd-569958931.html|access-date=2020-07-16|website=[[WIBW-TV|13 News]]|date=April 26, 2020 |publisher=Gray Television}}</ref>

=== Lifting of restrictions ===
On April 30, Governor Kelly announced a phased lifting of restrictions titled ''[[Ad astra (phrase)|Ad Astra]]'', with non-essential businesses, churches, and dine-in restaurants allowed to re-open (subject to social distancing) beginning May 4. Bars would be allowed to offer dine-in service only if food constituted a larger portion of their business than alcohol. Other forms of personal service, recreation, and entertainment venues would remain closed, while counties would be allowed to retain stricter measures (with Wyandotte County remaining under a stay-at-home order through May 15). The second phase was scheduled to begin May 18, allowing for bars at 50% capacity, community centers, gyms, and casinos to re-open.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-04-30|title=Kansas Is Set To Reopen With Restrictions On Restaurants, Stores and Churches|url=https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-04-30/kansas-is-set-to-reopen-with-restrictions-on-restaurants-stores-and-churches|access-date=2020-07-16|website=KCUR 89.3|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Brown|first=Zoe|title=Wyandotte County extending stay-at-home order through May 10|url=https://www.kctv5.com/coronavirus/wyandotte-county-extending-stay-at-home-order-through-may-10/article_7a4bc2c4-8b31-11ea-a7fe-471254adacdd.html|access-date=2020-07-16|website=KCTV Kansas City|language=en}}</ref>

On May 26, Governor Kelly vetoed House Bill 2054, which would have imposed legislative oversight over decisions pursuant to the emergency declaration. She then announced that all state-wide executive orders would be rescinded and shift to guidance only, and that lifting or maintaining restrictions would now become the responsibility of individual counties. Kelly announced a new disaster declaration with a focus on economic recovery, stating that "it is necessary to protect Kansans from the current economic disaster, the economic threat to reopening if we are unable to mitigate and respond and respond to the additional spread of the virus and the imminent threat of surges in escalating cases if we don't conduct serious emergency response activities."<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=Hanna|first=John|title=Kansas lawmakers pass bill curbing governor's power|url=https://www.kwch.com/content/news/Kansas-lawmakers-push-into-Friday-morning-to-finish-legislative-session-570686711.html|access-date=2020-07-16|website=KWCH|date=May 22, 2020 }}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|last=Wheat|first=Shawn|title=Plans for reopening in hands of individual Kansas counties|url=https://www.kwch.com/content/news/Harvey-County-staying-in-Phase-2-of-reopening-plan-at-least-through-June-2-570789551.html|access-date=2020-07-16|website=KWCH|date=May 27, 2020 }}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|last=Wheat|first=Shawn|title=Gov. Kelly vetoes bill limiting emergency powers, leaves reopening plan up to counties|url=https://www.kwch.com/content/news/WATCH-LIVE-Gov-Laura-Kelly-to-hold-briefing-on-COVID-19-response-in-Kansas-570775931.html|access-date=2020-07-16|website=KWCH|date=May 26, 2020 }}</ref>

However, Governor Kelly advised residents that "just because I am lifting most of the executive order does not mean the current threats from COVID-19 are any less than the threats we have faced over the last few months. Quite the opposite." Some counties with a lower rate of cases (such as [[Ellis County, Kansas|Ellis County]]) chose to lift most restrictions, although some areas chose to maintain an equivalent to the existing Phase 2 requirements.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" />

On June 7, ''[[The Wichita Eagle]]'' obtained a classified KDHE document via the [[Brown Institute for Media Innovation]], which identified the [[Lansing Correctional Facility]] as the state's largest outbreak as of May 19, followed by a [[Tyson Foods]] plant.<ref>{{cite web|date=June 7, 2020|title=Secret document lists locations of Kansas coronavirus outbreaks. Here's what it says|url=https://www.kansas.com/news/coronavirus/article243305606.html|work=[[The Wichita Eagle]]}}</ref> By July 29, the state had recorded 349 deaths.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-07-29|title=14 more COVID patients die in Kansas as deaths and hospitalizations outpace new cases|url=https://www.kansas.com/news/coronavirus/article244572712.html|access-date=2020-11-02|website=The Wichita Eagle}}</ref>

=== Statewide mask order and local mandates ===

On June 29, Governor Kelly announced that a statewide order would be implemented to require the wearing of [[Face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|face masks]] in public spaces when social distancing is not possible, beginning July 3. Kelly explained that "when the pandemic first hit, there was mixed messaging about masks. Now the evidence could not be clearer: wearing a mask is not only safe, but it is necessary to avoid another shutdown."<ref>{{cite news|last1=Klar|first1=Rebecca|date=June 29, 2020|title=Governor orders Kansas residents to wear masks in public|language=en|work=TheHill|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/505149-governor-orders-kansas-residents-to-wear-masks-in-public|access-date=June 30, 2020}}</ref> Several areas, including KCK, Douglas County, Wyandotte County, and [[Wichita, Kansas|Wichita]], had already implemented their own local orders with similar requirements.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Smith|first=Bill|title=Douglas County latest location to mandate masks|url=https://www.kctv5.com/news/local_news/douglas-county-latest-location-to-mandate-masks/article_6b3859be-ba43-11ea-a1e0-a7cb263dfd22.html|access-date=2020-07-16|website=KCTV Kansas City|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Swaim|first1=Chance|last2=Lefler|first2=Dion|last3=Stavola|first3=Michael|date=July 2, 2020|title=Wichita City Council passes mask mandate, effective immediately|publisher=The Wichita Eagle|url=https://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article243979262.html|access-date=October 17, 2020}}</ref>

The order contains an opt-out provision that allows individual counties to exclude themselves from the state order if they (per consultation with health officials) assert that it is not medically necessary. The provision was described as being a "bipartisan compromise".<ref name=":54">{{Cite web|date=2020-07-09|title='People don't want to be forced.' How Kansas mask mandate became political tussle|url=https://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article244091222.html|access-date=2020-07-16|website=The Wichita Eagle}}</ref> By July 9, 90 of Kansas's [[List of counties in Kansas|105 counties]] had opted out, which included nearly all of the counties with the lowest number of cases in the state, but 6 of the 10 counties with the highest (including [[Shawnee County, Kansas|Shawnee County]], which opted out of the state order because they deemed it too strict and a "[[one size fits all]]" approach, but reinstated a county-level order soon afterward).<ref>{{Cite web|last=Wheat|first=Shawn|title=Shawnee Co. Commissioners reject Governor's mask order, develop less severe standards|url=https://www.wibw.com/2020/07/02/shawnee-co-commissioners-reject-governors-mask-order-keep-current-mask-requirements-in-place/|access-date=2020-07-16|website=WIBW|date=July 2, 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Hrenchir|first=Tim|title=Mask mandate approved for Shawnee County|url=https://www.cjonline.com/news/20200706/mask-mandate-approved-for-shawnee-county|access-date=2020-07-16|website=The Topeka Capital-Journal|language=en}}</ref> Several cities in counties that did opt out, such as [[Manhattan, Kansas|Manhattan]], [[Wichita, Kansas|Wichita]], [[Winfield, Kansas|Winfield]], would enact municipal mandates.<ref name=":54" />

The order proved divisive: the ''[[Anderson County Review]]'' attracted controversy for publishing a [[The Holocaust|Holocaust]]-themed [[political cartoon]] criticizing the order online, showing a drawing of Governor Kelly in a [[Star of David]] mask in front of a photo of Jews on a train, captioned "Lockdown Laura says: put on your mask, and step onto the cattle car."<ref>{{Cite news|last=Levenson|first=Michael|date=2020-07-04|title=Kansas G.O.P. Official Removes Cartoon Comparing Mask Order to Holocaust|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/04/us/anderson-county-review-laura-kelly-holocaust-cartoon.html|access-date=2020-07-16|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> In October 2020, a 59-year-old was arrested for threatening to kidnap and murder Mayor of Wichita [[Brandon Whipple]] over a local mask mandate.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Swaim|first1=Chance|last2=Lefler|first2=Dion|last3=Stavola|first3=Michael|date=October 16, 2020|title=One arrested in threat to kidnap and kill Wichita mayor over COVID-19 mask mandate|newspaper=[[The Wichita Eagle]]|url=https://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article246513655.html|access-date=October 17, 2020}}</ref>

In August 2020, ''The Hill'' reported that case rates had lessened in a sample of 15 counties that did not opt out of the mask mandate.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Srikanth|first=Anagha|date=2020-08-10|title=This state tested whether mask mandates decrease coronavirus cases. The results are dramatic.|url=https://thehill.com/changing-america/well-being/prevention-cures/511343-this-state-tested-whether-mask-mandates-decrease|access-date=2020-08-11|website=TheHill|language=en}}</ref> In October 2020, researchers at the [[University of Kansas]] again found that case rates per-capita were relatively stable in the (by then) 21 counties that had implemented the mask mandate, but have continued to climb in counties without the mandate.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|last=Carpenter|first=Kansas Reflector-Tim|title=University of Kansas research: County mask mandates stall major rise in COVID-19|url=http://www.esubulletin.com/statehouse_news/university-of-kansas-research-county-mask-mandates-stall-major-rise-in-covid-19/article_c5040108-1887-11eb-84d2-372e559ccbbc.html|access-date=2020-10-28|website=ESU Bulletin|date=October 25, 2020 |language=en}}</ref> A [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|CDC]] study published in late-November presented similar findings.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mask Mandates Work To Slow Spread Of Coronavirus, Kansas Study Finds|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/11/23/937173060/mask-mandates-work-to-slow-spread-of-coronavirus-kansas-study-finds|access-date=2020-11-30|website=NPR.org|language=en}}</ref>

As of December 12, 2020, [[Gove County, Kansas|Gove County]] had the highest COVID-19 death rate in the U.S., losing 1 out of 132 people to the virus. Mask wearing remained controversial among local residents.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hughes|first=Trevor|date=December 12, 2020|title=Deadliest place in America: They shrugged off the pandemic, then their family and friends started dying|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/12/12/coronavirus-deaths-highest-us-rural-republican-leaning-county/3828902001/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212081703/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/12/12/coronavirus-deaths-highest-us-rural-republican-leaning-county/3828902001/ |archive-date=December 12, 2020 |access-date=2020-12-12|website=USA TODAY|language=en-US}}</ref> On December 15, Mayor of [[Dodge City, Kansas|Dodge City]] Joyce Warshaw resigned effective immediately, after having received threats over her support of a mask mandate.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Marshall|first=Vincent|title=Mayor Warshaw resigns effective immediately|url=https://www.dodgeglobe.com/story/news/local/2020/12/15/dodge-city-mayor-joyce-warshaw-resigns-effective-immediately/3913222001/|access-date=2020-12-20|website=Dodge City Daily Globe|language=en-US|archive-date=December 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201219095631/https://www.dodgeglobe.com/story/news/local/2020/12/15/dodge-city-mayor-joyce-warshaw-resigns-effective-immediately/3913222001/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Marshall|first=Vincent|title=Kansas mayor resigns following backlash to USA TODAY story on city's mask mandate, citing phone and email threats|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/12/15/kansas-mayor-joyce-warshaw-resigns-mask-mandate-dodge-city/3915967001/|access-date=2020-12-20|website=USA TODAY|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Social impact==

=== Sports ===
On March 12, the [[Kansas State High School Activities Association]] cancelled the remaining two days of its state basketball tournaments, which were being held in [[Dodge City, Kansas|Dodge City]], [[Manhattan, Kansas|Manhattan]], [[Hutchinson, Kansas|Hutchinson]], [[Salina, Kansas|Salina]], [[Emporia, Kansas|Emporia]], and [[Wichita, Kansas|Wichita]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kansascity.com/sports/high-school/prep-basketball/kansas-prep-basketball/article241160296.html#storylink=mainstage|title=A night of 48 champions: How hope turned to heartbreak at Kansas state basketball|website=www.kansascity.com|access-date=March 24, 2020}}</ref> On March 18, the KSHSAA cancelled all spring sports.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kshsaa.org/Public/pdf/CovidSpringUpdate.pdf |title=COVID-19 Spring Activities Update |website=www.kshsaa.org |access-date=March 24, 2020}}</ref>

Also on March 12, the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association]] canceled all winter and spring tournaments, most notably the [[NCAA Division I|Division I]] [[2020 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|men]]'s and [[2020 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament|women]]'s basketball tournaments, affecting colleges and universities statewide.<ref name="ncaa">[https://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/media-center/news/ncaa-cancels-remaining-winter-and-spring-championships NCAA cancels remaining winter and spring championships] NCAA, March 12, 2020</ref> On March 16, the [[National Junior College Athletic Association]] also canceled the remainder of the winter seasons as well as the spring seasons.<ref>[https://www.mlive.com/sports/2020/03/njcaa-cancels-spring-sports-basketball-nationals-amid-coronavirus-outbreak.html NJCAA cancels spring sports, basketball nationals amid coronavirus outbreak] MLive.com, March 16, 2020</ref>

On March 12, concerns over the virus caused a month long suspension of [[Major League Soccer]]'s [[2020 Major League Soccer season|2020 season]] affecting [[Sporting Kansas City]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Essential COVID-19 information for MLS fans |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/2020/covid-19 |website=mlssoccer |access-date=March 17, 2020 |archive-date=May 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200531212645/https://www.mlssoccer.com/2020/covid-19 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On the same day the [[USL Championship]] also delayed the [[2020 USL Championship season|2020 season]] affecting [[Sporting Kansas City II]].<ref>{{cite web |title=USL Championship Temporarily Suspends Play |url=https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1094891 |website=USL Championship |publisher=USLChampionship |access-date=March 17, 2020 |language=en-us |date=March 12, 2020}}</ref> Also on March 12, [[Champions Indoor Football]] announced a 30-day delay of season affecting the [[Salina Liberty]] and [[Wichita Force]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.salinaliberty.com/liberty-schedule-is-on-hold|title=Liberty Schedule is On Hold|last1=Munsch|first1=Laura|date=March 12, 2020|website=www.salinaliberty.com|language=en|access-date=March 17, 2020|archive-date=June 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612103134/https://www.salinaliberty.com/liberty-schedule-is-on-hold|url-status=dead}}</ref> On March 14, the [[ECHL]] canceled the remainder of the [[2019–20 ECHL season|2019–20 season]] affecting the [[Wichita Thunder]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.echl.com/en/news/2020/3/echl-cancels-remainder-of-2019-20-season|title=ECHL cancels remainder of 2019–20 Season|website=www.echl.com|language=en|access-date=March 17, 2020}}</ref>
[[NASCAR]] was scheduled to race at [[Kansas Speedway]] on May 30-31, but however NASCAR rescheduled it due scheduling changes during the pandemic to July 23-25 with the [[Xfinity Series]] gaining a second date, and the [[Craftsman Truck Series]] also gained a second date, the events were held without fans, however the fall races at the track with the truck series gaining a third date were allowed to have limited fans in the stands.

== Statistics ==
{{COVID-19 pandemic data/United States/Kansas medical cases chart|float=none}}
{{COVID-19 pandemic data/Kansas medical cases by county}}

==See also==
* [[Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States]]
* [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States]] – for impact on the country
* [[COVID-19 pandemic]] – for impact on other countries

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|COVID-19 pandemic in Kansas}}
* [https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov Coronavirus information] from the [[Kansas Department of Health and Environment]]

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{{COVID-19 pandemic in the United States}}
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[[Category:COVID-19 pandemic in the United States by state|Kansas]]
[[Category:2020 in Kansas|COVID-19 pandemic]]
[[Category:2021 in Kansas|COVID-19 pandemic]]
[[Category:Disasters in Kansas]]
[[Category:Health in Kansas]]