Month: April 2020

Rain in today’s forecast

Up to a half-inch of rain is possible in Wyandotte County. (National Weather Service graphic)
Wednesday will be windy in Wyandotte County. (National Weather Service graphic)

Rain is expected to move into the Wyandotte County area today, according to the National Weather Service forecast.

The greatest chances for rain will be along and south of I-70, with up to a half-inch of rain possible, according to the forecast.

Thunderstorms also are possible in the morning and afternoon, the weather service said. Winds may gust up to 21 mph today.

More rain is possible tonight, Thursday night, Friday and Friday night, according to the weather service.

Saturday, Sunday and Monday should be dry, followed by more rain on Tuesday, the weather service said.

Today, there is an 80 percent chance of rain, the weather service said. After a chance of rain and thunderstorms in the morning, more showers and a thunderstorm are possible after 1 p.m. The high will be near 65 with a south wind of 5 to 9 mph, gusting as high as 21 mph. Between a tenth and quarter-inch of rain is possible.

Tonight, showers and thunderstorms are likely before 1 a.m., and a slight chance of showers between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m., according to the weather service. There is a 70 percent chance of precipitation. The low will be around 52 with an east wind of 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Between a tenth and quarter-inch of rain is possible.

Thursday, it will be mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 73, the weather service said. There will be a light northwest wind.

Thursday night, there is a 30 percent chance of showers after 1 a.m., with a low of 53, according to the weather service. Less than a tenth of an inch of rain is forecast.

Friday, there is a 60 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers are likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1 p.m., the weather service said. The high will be near 64 with a calm wind becoming north around 6 mph in the morning. Between a quarter and half-inch of rain is possible.

Friday night, there is a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1 a.m., then a slight chance of showers, according to the weather service. The low will be near 47 and new rainfall amounts will be between a tenth and quarter-inch.

Saturday, it will be partly sunny, with a high near 62, the weather service said.

Saturday night, it will be mostly clear with a low of 43, according to the weather service.

Sunday, it will be mostly sunny, with a high near 68, the weather service said.

Sunday night, it will be mostly cloudy, with a low of 49, according to the weather service.

Monday, it will be partly sunny, with a high of 71, the weather service said.

Monday night, it will be mostly cloudy, with a low of 56, according to the weather service.

Tuesday, there is a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, with a high near 74, the weather service said.

COVID-19 testing expanded in Wyandotte County

UG Health Department has longer testing hours, accepts walk-ins

The UG COVID-19 website reported 431 cases and 45 total deaths in Wyandotte County on Tuesday. (From UG COVID-19 website)
One more death was reported April 21 at the RIverbend Post-Acute Rehabilitation facility in Kansas City, Kansas, bringing the total number of deaths to 25. (UG Health Department graphic)

The Unified Government Health Department has expanded its COVID-19 testing, and Wyandotte County residents who have symptoms may drive through or walk in from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 619 Ann Ave., Kansas City, Kansas.

No appointment is necessary, according to the health department.

Today the UG COVID-19 webpage at 4:50 p.m. reported 431 positive cases and 45 COVID-19 related deaths in Wyandotte County. There were 48 hospitalizations reported, with 102 recoveries. It was an increase of one death since Monday evening.

There was one additional death today, at the Riverbend Post-Acute Rehabilitation facility, bringing the number of deaths there to 25, according to the Health Department. Riverbend makes up 55 percent of the Wyandotte County COVID-19 deaths and 23 percent of the state of Kansas COVID-19 deaths.

Dr. Erin Corriveau, deputy medical officer for the health department, said expanded testing here was important.

“Ramping up testing capacity in Wyandotte means we will get a clearer picture of what we are dealing with,” Dr. Corriveau said in a news release.

“We wanted to remove barriers to testing, like removing the need for an appointment and opening up testing criteria, allowing more people to access testing.

“More testing will not only give community members information to protect their loved ones and neighbors – it will also help us see where and how COVID-19 is spreading,” she said. “This is critical information to help us stop the spread of this disease in our community.”

According to the health department, testing is available, at no charge, for Wyandotte County residents who have experienced any symptoms consistent with COVID-19 within the past 48 hours.

Symptoms may include fever, dry cough, shortness of breath-difficulty breathing, body aches, sore throat, sudden lack of sense of taste or smell, nausea, diarrhea and tiredness.

Testing is provided regardless of immigration status, health coverage or ability to pay, according to the health department.

Residents who prefer to set up an appointment may confidentially report their symptoms online at wycokck.org/COVID-19 or by calling 3-1-1. Someone from the Health Department will follow up to set up a testing appointment and provide further guidance.

KCK organization helps needy

Helping make sandwiches for the needy at Cross-Lines were, left to right, Paul Priefert, Joan Priefert, Linda Mcvey and Carmelina Cabrera. (Photo by William Crum)

by William Crum

Cross-Lines Community Outreach is an organization that helps those who are in need.

Cross-Lines is located on 7th and Shawnee Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas.

Volunteers made up sandwiches Tuesday. It was the brainchild of Carmelina Cabrera. Also helping on Tuesday were Paul Priefert, Joan Priefert and Linda Mcvey.

“We will be distributing well over 200 sandwiches on a daily basis,” Cabrera said.