Month: January 2021

COVID-19 case numbers updated

Wyandotte County reported an increase of 43 COVID-19 cases on Sunday, Jan. 31, according to the Unified Government’s COVID-19 webpage. There were a cumulative 16,989 cases. There was a cumulative total of 222 deaths, the same as Saturday.

The Mid-America Regional Council’s COVID-19 dashboard reported 148,276 cumulative COVID-19 cases on Sunday. There were 1,854 cumulative deaths, and 120 was the daily average of new hospitalizations.

The state of Kansas reported 274,685 COVID-19 cases statewide on Friday, an increase of 2,168 cases since Wednesday, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. There were an additional 61 deaths reported, with a cumulative total of 3,779.

The Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 dashboard on Saturday night reported 26,185,357 cumulative cases in the United States, with 441,319 total deaths nationwide.

Free COVID-19 tests Monday

Free COVID-19 testing is available from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 1, at the Oak Ridge Baptist Church, 9301 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas.

An appointment is not needed. People may be tested whether or not they have symptoms. The test is sponsored by the Wyandotte County Health Equity Task Force and Vibrant Health Care.

The Unified Government Health Department’s COVID-19 test site at the former Kmart building at 78th and State will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 1. Appointments are not needed for tests. To see if there is any change to the schedule, visit https://www.facebook.com/UGHealthDept.

The UG Health Department recently added flu testing to the COVID-19 test at the Kmart building. Only one swab is used for the two tests. The Health Department estimates a two- to three-day wait for COVID-19 results. For the flu, the department only contacts people if it is positive.

Tests from the Health Department are free for those who live or work in Wyandotte County. The tests are nasopharyngeal swab tests. The Health Department no longer uses saliva tests.

The tests are open to asymptomatic people as well as those who have symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19. Check with the UG Health Department’s Facebook page to see if there have been any changes in the schedule. Bring something that shows that you live or work in Wyandotte County, such as a utility bill.

COVID-19 tests will be available Monday, Feb. 1, at the Pierson Community Center parking lot, 1800 S. 55th St., Kansas City, Kansas. Hours are subject to change depending on the weather and other factors. These tests are through WellHealth Management. Appointments are required. For more information and to schedule a test, visit www.GoGetTested.com/Kansas.

Wyandotte County residents who are interested in getting a COVID-19 vaccine may fill out a survey form at the UG Health Department at https://us.openforms.com/Form/2f2bcc68-3b6a-450b-9007-d39819db6572. Residents will be contacted to make an appointment when vaccine becomes available.

Testing sites are at https://wyandotte-county-covid-19-hub-unifiedgov.hub.arcgis.com/pages/what-to-do-if-you-think-you-have-covid-19.

For more information about the testing site at the former Kmart location, visit https://alpha.wycokck.org/files/assets/public/health/documents/covid/10092020_newtestingsitewyco.pdf.

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The new health order on hours for bars and restaurants is at https://alpha.wycokck.org/files/assets/public/health/documents/localhealthofficerorder011221.pdf.

Information about the new health order on extended hours for bars and restaurants is at https://alpha.wycokck.org/files/assets/public/health/documents/covid/01112021ugissuesnewbarrestaurantorder.pdf.

The school health order is online at https://alpha.wycokck.org/files/assets/public/health/documents/covid/localhealthofficerschoolorder01042021.pdf.

A letter explaining the school health order is online at https://alpha.wycokck.org/files/assets/public/health/documents/covid/schoolletter_01052021_english.pdf.

To see information about the UG giving vaccines to health care workers, visit https://wyandotteonline.com/ug-to-start-giving-covid-19-vaccines-to-health-department-and-ems-personnel-next-week/.

The KDHE vaccine report is at https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/DocumentCenter/View/123/Vaccine-Historical-Document-12121?bidId=

Cards and letters of encouragement for caregivers at KU Health System may be sent to Share Joy, care of Patient Relations, 4000 Cambridge St., Mailstop 1021, Kansas City, Kansas, 66160. Emails can be sent to [email protected].

Wyandotte County is under a mandatory mask and social distancing order.

The UG COVID-19 webpage is at https://alpha.wycokck.org/Coronavirus-COVID-19-Information.

The KDHE’s COVID-19 webpage is at https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/.

The KC Region COVID-19 Hub dashboard is at https://marc2.org/covidhub/.

The Wyandotte County page on the Johns Hopkins COVID-19 website is at https://bao.arcgis.com/covid-19/jhu/county/20209.html.

Record Blue Devils rally comes up short, 97-94

by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC sports information

It was one of the biggest comebacks in Kansas City Kansas Community College basketball history. Unfortunately, it was not a triumphant comeback.

Trailing by 18 points with 15 minutes remaining, the Blue Devils forged a 94-94 tie before free throws provided William Penn’s junior varsity a 97-94 win in Oskaloosa, Iowa, Saturday.

The loss dropped the Blue Devils to 2-3 with all three losses decided in the final seconds. They resume action Wednesday when they play host to Southeast Nebraska at 7 p.m. in a game that will be streamed on the KCKCC Blue Devil website.

“We didn’t come prepared and that’s on me,” KCKCC coach Brandon Burgette said. ”We like to use these games to get ourselves going but William Penn is not your typical JV team. They’ve got some good players, That’s why their varsity (13-1) is ranked No. 2 in the nation. They are a good team and beat us in every way from beginning to the end. I’m proud of how hard we fought but the effort wasn’t enough. We have to get better.”

The Statesmen took command early, jumping out to a 11-6 lead in the first five minutes and expanding it to 54-44 at halftime and 65-47 with 15 minutes remaining. The Blue Devils mustered one comeback midway through the second half, closing to 75-69 only to have it fizzle out when William Penn went on an 11-0 run for an 86-69 bulge.

The Blue Devils were still down 91-80 before making a 14-3 comeback to get the game even. Layups by DeAngelo Bell and Trey Bates and a dunk off a steal by Caleb Jones made it 93-92 and another Jones basket pulled KCKCC even 94-94 with 15.4 seconds left and a chance to win.

But an errant in-bounds pass, subsequent foul and William Penn free throw broke the deadlock and Bates’ 10-footer from in front of the basket bounced off the rim. The Statesmen added two clinching free throws with 2.3 left.

The Blue Devils shot the ball well – 49.3 percent from the field (36-73) and .407 from 3-point (11-27) but sabotaged the effort by converting only 11-of-28 free throws (.393) and turning the ball over 23 times.

KCKCC got big performances from former Harmon standout DeAngelo Bell, who had a career-high 21 points including 3-of-5 3-pointers, and Caleb Jones, who had a double-double with 18 points and a career-high 16 rebounds, Shaylon Janloo added 17 points, Trey Bates 13, Bryce Johnson 10 and Jermaine Yarbough 8. Bates also had eight assists and Bell four while Don’vae Ferguson took down six rebounds.

15-0 run helps No. 9 Lady Blue Devils improve to 4-0

by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC sports information

Kansas City Kansas Community College’s No. 9 ranked and unbeaten Lady Blue Devils shook off a sluggish start and rolled to a 90-68 win over William Penn’s JV in Oskaloosa, Iowa, Friday night.

The win was the fourth in a row for the Blue Devils, who are back home Tuesday for a single game against Graceland junior varsity at 6 p.m. The game will be streamed on the KCKCC Blue Devil website.

KCKCC led only 16-15 after a turnover-marred first quarter but put the game out of reach in the first three minutes of the second period, scoring 15 straight points for a 31-15 lead. It was 45-25 by halftime, a half in which Blue Devils shot 48.6 percent but committed 11 turnovers.

Hannah Valentine, a 5-9 sophomore from Platte County, led the Blue Devils offensively, scoring a game-high 26 points on 10-of-12 shooting; finished out a double-double with 11 rebounds, also a game high, and handed out five assists.

Faith Putz, a 5-8 freshman from Des Moines, had a career-high 19 points and five rebounds while soph Aliyah Myers added 14 points and frosh De’Jaria Guillory 12 points. The driveshaft in the KCKCC offense, Myers also had a game high six assists, two steals, one block and just one turnover.

Knocking down 19-of 36 second half shots for 52.8 percent, the Blue Devils finished at .507 for the game and .500 from 3-point (9-of-18). Myers had three treys, Valentine and Putz two each. The Blue Devils also dominated the rebounding 40-27 but finished with 20 turnovers to 16 for the Lady Statesmen.

“We didn’t play our best tonight,” KCKCC coach Joe McKinstry said. “I know the outcome on the scoreboard looks pretty good but we can be much better. Too many turnovers. And we were fortunate William Penn missed a lot of open shots. Being 4-0 is never a bad thing but we have to improve quickly as our schedule will present some challenges soon.”