COVID-19

For most students and their families, graduation is an unforgettable time of celebration. Reaching this crucial educational milestone during a pandemic? Well, that's something no one could easily forget. While we're hearing national stories about innovation in graduation, from drive-thru diploma delivery to socially-distanced ceremoies at a local drive-in, HPPR wants to know how YOUR cap-and-gown experience has been during the COVID-19 crisis.

The Kansas State Department of Education and the Kansas Public Broadcasting Council have teamed up to create the Continuous Learning Alliance. Look for statewide educational programs and projects for students pre-k to 12th grade over the coming days and weeks.  

Drive-thru testing for COVID-19 is now available in Amarillo. 

According to a press release from the City of Amarillo, individuals experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 can call the Amarillo Public Health Department at 806-378-6300. If those symptoms warrant a test, you will be directed to the drive-thru facility for testing.

As the coronavirus situation unfolds, we at High Plains Public Radio understand and appreciate the concerns you and your families may be facing during these challenging and uncertain times.

Oklahoma has seen a dramatic uptick in confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 377 reported cases as of Saturday and 15 deaths. The counties of Le Flore and Nowata are now required to come into compliance with Gov. Kevin Stitt's Safer at Home order issued Monday. 

Baca County, Colorado, along with several other Colorado counties, are reporting their first cases of COVID-19.  As of Friday, eastern Colorado counties reporting COVID-19 cases, and their respective number of cases, are as follows: Baca (1), Logan (3), Morgan (4), Washington (1), Yuma (2), Lincoln (1), Kit Carson (2), Crowley (1), Otero (2).

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly on Saturday issued a statewide stay-at-home order, in an effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus, as Kansas is expected to see as many as 900 cases over the next week. According to a press release issued by the governor's office Saturday, the order takes effect at 12:01 a.m. Monday and will be in place at least through April 19.

UPDATED MARCH  26, 2020 at 10:26 a.m.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt announced Tuesday several orders - some statewide and some for only counties reporting COVID-19 cases - aimed at stemming the spread of the virus around the state. One order requiring vulnerable populations to stay home, another limiting social gatherings to fewer than 10 people. 

Oklahoma reported on Thursday 164 confirmed COVID-19 cases  - plus two out-of-state cases - and five deaths. 

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on Wednesday issued a statewide Stay at Home Order in an effort to stem the spread of COVID-19 cases in the state.

Polis announced during a press conference that starting Thursday, all Coloradans are required to stay at home through April 11.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on Wednesday provided guidance to law enforcement and detention centers on limiting and preventing the spread of COVID-19.

According to a press release from Polis’ office issued Wednesday, Polis issued the following guidelines to law enforcement:

“Life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans.” That is certainly true in 2020. At High Plains Public Radio this year, I expected that the presidential election would be the big story of the year. And we had been planning for a big membership drive in March to help sustain the station through the typically lean summer months.

High Plains Public Radio and HPPR Connect will run a special NPR program on COVID-19 Saturday and Sunday, March 21 and 22, on Connect at 6 p.m. CT; and in place of City Arts and Lectures on HPPR, Sunday night at 7 p.m. CT. Starting Monday night at 8 p.m. CT, Connect will begin carrying a new program from NPR, called The National Conversation with All Things Considered.

The cities of Amarillo and Canyon issued a joint press release Thursday announcing that gatherings of 10 or more people will not be allowed until further notice. In addition, area gyms must close, and local restaurants will not be allowed to offer dine-in options.

Thirteen new cases of COVID-19 in Kansas were confirmed by state health officials on Thursday. That bring the state's total to 34, including one death in Kansas City, Kan.  

A 52-year-old Cherokee County man tested positive on Wednesday, marking the first case in the southeast corner of the state.

Coronavirus Daily, From NPR: Starting today, there's a new daily news podcast about the coronavirus pandemic, covering all dimensions of the story from science to economics and politics as well as society and culture. Hosted by Kelly McEvers, it's approximately 10 minutes in length and will publish weekdays at 4:30pm CT.