EXCELSIOR SPRINGS – The coronavirus “is back, stronger than ever,” hospital CEO Kristen DeHart reminded city leaders during a Dec. 3 work session. On average, Excelsior Springs Hospital was testing 100 patients daily, with the number of positive cases at roughly 25, DeHart said. “So please be careful,” she said. DeHart relayed data given to her the day before from a conversation with Steve Reintjes Sr., president and CEO of North Kansas City Hospital, which is affiliated with Excelsior Springs Hospital. As of Dec. 2, NKC Hospital’s active case total was 69, including ICU patients, she said. DeHart’s statements came two days after CNBC and other news outlets reported the first case of the Omicron variant of COVID in the United States. The variant was originally detected in late November in South Africa, CNBC stated. In other COVID-related news, DeHart said the hospital continues to offer weekday drive-through testing...