Kansas is reporting spikes in COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations, as dozens of nursing homes experience outbreaks and the state prepares to see that health care workers receive the first available vaccines.
The state Department of Health and Environment on Wednesday added 119 deaths since Monday, raising the state's pandemic death toll to 1,679. Kansas also had a record average of 53 new coronavirus-related hospitalizations a day for the seven days ending Wednesday.
Kansas’ vaccine plan calls for the first doses to go to health care workers. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration later this month will consider authorizing emergency use of two vaccines.