The wind chill was minus 2 at 9 a.m. Thursday in Wyandotte County, according to the National Weather Service. At 7 a.m. Thursday, the wind chill was minus 8. (National Weather Service graphic)Light snow is in the forecast for Friday afternoon. (National Weather Service graphic)On Saturday morning, the wind chill could drop to minus 12. (National Weather Service graphic)On Sunday morning, the wind chill could be minus 19. (National Weather Service graphic)
Below freezing temperatures and wind chills continue today, with a slight chance of snow on Friday afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.
Temperatures will be falling through the weekend, and overnight wind chills could be between minus 10 and minus 20 degrees, the weather service said. Those who are providing or using warming shelters should start making plans now.
The next round of snow will arrive Friday afternoon and will continue overnight into Saturday morning, according to the weather service.
The coldest and most dangerous conditions are expected Saturday, Sunday and Monday mornings with wind chills near minus 20 F, the weather service said.
Dangerously cold temperatures and wind chills expected this weekend and early next week, according to the weather service. Temperatures remain below freezing through next week.
Today, it will be cloudy with a high near 17, and wind chill values between minus 4 and 3, the weather service said.A north northeast wind will be around 11 mph.
Tonight, it will be mostly cloudy, with a low of 3 and wind chill values between minus 1 and minus 11, according to the weather service. There will be a north wind of around 11 mph.
Friday, it will be cloudy and cold, with a high near 11 and wind chill values between minus 5 and minus 12, the weather service said. A north northeast wind will be 10 to 13 mph.
Friday night, there is a 20 percent chance of snow, with a low of 1, and wind chill values between minus 8 and minus 13, according to the weather service. A north northeast wind of 9 to 13 mph is forecast.
Saturday, it will be partly sunny and cold, with a high near 10 and a north wind of 10 mph, the weather service said.
Saturday night, it will be mostly cloudy, with a low of minus 2, according to the weather service.
Sunday, there will be a 30 percent chance of snow, with a high near 3, the weather service said.
Sunday night, there is a 40 percent chance of snow, with a low of minus 8, according to the weather service.
On Monday, Washington’s Birthday, there is a 30 percent chance of snow after noon, with a high near 4, the weather service said.
Monday night, there is a 30 percent chance of snow before midnight, with a low of minus 8, according to the weather service.
Tuesday, it will be partly sunny and cold, with a high near 13, the weather service said.
Tuesday night, it will be mostly cloudy with a low of 3, according to the weather service.
Wednesday, it will be mostly cloudy, with a high near 22, the weather service said.
For more weather information, visit www.weather.gov.
The state of Kansas will receive a slight increase in the amount of COVID-19 vaccine, according to Gov. Laura Kelly.
The state will receive close to 82,650 doses, she said at a news conference on Wednesday afternoon. That is an increase of more than 2,000 doses from last week.
The state is scheduled to get 18,525 prime doses from Pfizer and 18,525 Pfizer booster doses; along with 27,800 prime Moderna doses and 17,800 Moderna boosters, she said.
Gov. Kelly said she spoke with the Biden administration and was notified Kansas will receive close to 90,000 doses next week.
She said she would work to encourage an increase in the number of doses the state receives, and also for the passage of a stimulus package for recovery efforts.
The KDHE has been working with local providers in several counties to administer vaccines to long-term care facilities that had not qualified for the long-term care facility federal partnership, she said. The state helped to line up vaccines within the week, she said. They are moving quickly to get other senior communities vaccinated.
Gov. Kelly said she welcomed a plan by the federal government to send vaccine directly to federally qualified health centers. It will add to the number of people who can get vaccinated more quickly in Kansas, she said. Up until now, the state KDHE has been sending some vaccines to these centers, she added.
Some advice on getting to sleep
At the University of Kansas Health System news conference Wednesday morning, doctors offered some tips on getting more sleep.
Dr. Nancy Stewart, pulmonary critical care and sleep medicine expert, had some advice:
• Shut off all electronics two hours before bedtime. No scrolling. The blue light from electronics shuts down melatonin production and affects the ability to go to sleep. Melatonin helps you sleep.
• Go to bed at the same time each night and get up at the same time each morning, including weekends.
• If you’re not tired at bedtime, don’t take sleep aids. Your circadian rhythm may be delayed. The circadian rhythm can be adjusted with light therapy and melatonin over time.
• It might be good to see a doctor if you have chronic insomnia, and are not able to sleep well more than three nights a week for more than three months.
• Wine and alcohol make you tired in the evening and very relaxed, helping you to fall asleep, but many who drink will wake up in the middle of the night, then feel exhausted in the morning.
• If weighted blankets help you sleep, use them. You don’t need to buy the fanciest or most expensive.
• The ideal room temperature for sleeping is 65 to 67 degrees.
• Meditation at bedtime may help.
COVID-19 case numbers reported
The total number of COVID-19 active and recovering COVID-19 patients at the University of Kansas Health System was 76 on Wednesday, a decrease of two since Tuesday, according to Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of infection prevention and control. There were 30 active COVID-19 patients in the hospital, an increase of one from Tuesday. Nine of those patients were in the intensive care unit, a decrease of two since Tuesday, with five on ventilators, the same number as Tuesday. There were another 46 patients hospitalized because of COVID-19 who were out of the acute phase, a decrease of three since Tuesday.
Wyandotte County reported an increase of 26 COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, Feb. 10, according to the Unified Government’s COVID-19 webpage. There were a cumulative 17,257 cases. There was a cumulative total of 245 deaths, an increase of three since Tuesday.
The Mid-America Regional Council’s COVID-19 dashboard reported 152,299 cumulative COVID-19 cases on Wednesday. There were 1,968 cumulative deaths, and 106 was the daily average of new hospitalizations.
The state of Kansas reported 284,894 COVID-19 cases statewide on Tuesday, an increase of 1,934 cases since Monday, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. There were an additional 106 deaths reported, with a cumulative total of 4,303.
The Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 dashboard on Wednesday night reported 27,285,135 cases in the United States, with 471,422 total deaths nationwide.
Free COVID-19 tests Thursday
Free COVID-19 testing is available from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 11, at Vibrant Health Argentine, 1428 S. 32nd St., Kansas City, Kansas. The testing is through the Wyandotte County Health Equity Task Force. Appointments are not needed.
COVID-19 tests also will be available Thursday, Feb. 11, 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 at the Pierson Community Center. For more information and to schedule a test, visit www.GoGetTested.com/Kansas.
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 Thursday, Feb. 11. Appointments are not needed for COVID-19 tests. To see if there is any change to the schedule, visit https://www.facebook.com/UGHealthDept.
The Health Department is now offering saliva COVID-19 tests to the public. Tests from the Health Department are free for those who live or work in Wyandotte County.
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.
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. The Health Department currently is vaccinating high-contact critical workers, as well as residents over 85.
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.
