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RESPOND TO POTENTIAL CORONAVIRUS CASES. KMBC 9’S EMILY HOLWICK TALKED TO THEM ABOUT HOW THEY’RE KEEPING RESPONDERS SAFE. REPORTER: THE KANSAS CITY MISSOURI FIRE DEPARTMENT COULD BE THE FIRST TO RESPOND TO A CORONAVIRUS CASE. >> WE ARE OUT THERE IN THE FOREFRONT OF THIS ON THE FRONT LINES REPORTER: ASSISTANT FIRE CHIEF JIMMY WALKER SAYS IF SOMEONE CALLS WITH POTENTIAL SYMPTOMS OF THE VIRUS THERE IS A PROTOCOL IN PLACE. >> IT STARTS WITH OUR DISPATCH, WHEN DISPATCH RECEIVES A CALL THEY’LL ASK CERTAIN SPECIFIC QUESTIONS. CURRENTLY RIGHT NOW IT’S HAVE YOU TRAVELED RECENTLY. >> IF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE TO GET A CALL FOR POTENTIAL CORONAVIRUS, THEY WOULD HAVE TO WEAR PROTECTIVE GEAR INCLUDING A SUIT LIKE THIS. LIMITING THE NUMBER OF PERSONNEL EXPOSED TO THE PATIENT AS WELL AS PUTTING A MASK ON THEM. REPORTER: RESPONDERS DO NOT WANT TO TAKE ANY CHANCES. >> THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS WE DO NOT KNOW ABOUT CORONAVIRUS THAT WE ARE TAKING AN EXTRA PRECAUTION. REPORTER: AS NEW INFORMATION COMES IN, THEY WILL ADJUST THEIR RESPONSE. >> WE ARE CONSTANTLY ON THE FOREFRONT OF THIS AND GATHERING INFORMATION ON A DAILY BASIS TO REEVALUATE HOW OUR PROTOCOLS FIT WITH

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Kansas City International Airport said it has ramped up cleaning efforts to protect the health and well-being of travelers and its employees during fast-moving outbreak of the coronavirus.“Custodial crews are more frequently checking and restocking rest room soap, hand sanitizer and paper towels,” airport officials said in a news release posted on its website.“They are also stepping up cleaning and disinfecting efforts in rest rooms and other high-contact areas such as doors, drinking fountains and counters. Employees wear arm-length gloves to have the adequate skin protection along with more face masks, should they choose. Three-plus months of supplies are on hand with additional on order.”The U.S. government announced new travel restrictions to and from some countries, as well as screening of passengers inbound from some countries.There are no nonstop flights to or from these cities at KCI, so passengers will have cleared U.S. Customs screening in gateway airports prior to arriving in Kansas City, airport officials said.The airport also said airport department leaders continue to stay in close contact with the Kansas City Health and Fire/Emergency Services departments, city leaders, airlines, Transportation Security Administration and others. “The Aviation Department is following recommendations of the health organizations,” airport officials said. “If there would be a suspected case, any role the Aviation Department would have would be in support of those agencies’ efforts.”[ Testing for coronavirus expanded to patients who have doctor's order ] The airport said there are no operational changes at KCI because of the disease. “Health organizations have not suggested any new procedures be put in place at the airport at this time, and there is no active health screening of passengers arriving at or departing from KCI,” airport officials said.“If airlines, TSA or other partners encounter persons who are ill or are exhibiting coronavirus symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath), they will contact Kansas City Fire Department Emergency Medical Services for them to evaluate. KCFD will notify the Health Department, if necessary.”There are more than 160 U.S. cases of coronavirus, CNN reports. Those numbers are expected to rise with more than 95,000 confirmed cases in 79 countries around the world.