Up To Date

New COVID-19 Variants Found In Kansas City Area

By Steve Kraske,

Published March 4, 2021 at 4:08 AM CST

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Transmission electron micrograph of particles of SARS-CoV-2 — the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. — Variants of SARS-CoV-2 that are more transmissible could complicate efforts to end the pandemic.

The spread of coronavirus variants appear to be happening faster than vaccines are being distributed.

Variations of COVID-19 are popping up all over the world and traces of several have been found in Missouri and Kansas City. We examine what is causing these mutations, whether current COVID-19 vaccines are effective against them and just how worried we should be.

Gene Olinger, a virologist and principal science advisor for MRI Global
Alex Smith, KCUR health reporter

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Up To Date Coronavirus infectious disease Up to Date Podcast vaccines public health

Steve Kraske

When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.

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Danie Alexander

As senior producer of Up To Date, I want our listeners to hear familiar and new voices that shine light on the issues and challenges facing the myriad communities KCUR serves, and to expose our audiences to the wonderful and the creative in the Kansas City area. Just as important to me is an obligation to mentor the next generation of producers to ensure that the important conversations continue. Reach me at alexanderdk@kcur.org.

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Zach Wilson

As Up To Date’s senior producer, I want to pique the curiosity of Kansas Citians and help them understand the world around them. Each day, I construct conversations with our city’s most innovative visionaries and creatives, while striving to hold elected officials accountable and amplifying the voices of everyday Kansas Citians. Email me at zach@kcur.org.

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