Wyandotte County is at a marginal risk for severe storms on Wednesday. Flash flooding is possible in some areas. (National Weather Service graphic)From 2 to 3 inches of rain are possible through Thursday night. (National Weather Service graphic)
The St. Patrick’s Day forecast for Wyandotte County includes scattered thunderstorms and rain before 3 p.m. Wednesday, then more rain and possibly a thunderstorm, according to the National Weather Service.
Earlier this morning, rain moved through Wyandotte County, and is expected to return this afternoon and evening.
Tonight and into Thursday, snow and rain are possible, as the low will reach about 35, the weather service said.
Some isolated flash flooding is possible with tonight’s rain and snow, according to the weather service.
From 2 to 3 inches of precipitation is expected, leading to concerns about river flooding and isolated flash flooding, the weather service said.
Rain is next in the forecast on Sunday night through Tuesday, according to the weather service.
Today, there is a 90 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms before 3 p.m., then rain and possibly a thunderstorm, mainly after 3 p.m., the weather service said. The high will be near 50 with a north northeast wind of 13 to 20 mph, gusting as high as 28 mph. Between a half and three-quarters of an inch of rain is possible.
Tonight, there is a 100 percent chance of rain, possibly mixed with snow, with a low o f35, according to the weather service. A north wind of 20 to 23 mph will gust as high as 32. Little or no snow accumulation is expected.
Thursday, there is a 60 percent of snow and rain before 9 a.m., then a chance of rain, the weather service said. The high will be near 46 with a north northwest wind of 17 to 22 mph, gusting as high as 31 mph. Little or no snow accumulation is expected.
Thursday night, the low will be around 28 with a north wind of 6 to 11 mph, according to the weather service.
Friday, it will be sunny with a high near 52 and a northeast wind of 6 to 8 mph, the weather service said.
Friday night, it will be mostly clear, with a low of 32, according to the weather service.
Saturday, it will be sunny, with a high near 60, the weather service said.
Saturday night, it will be partly cloudy, with a low of 43, according to the weather service.
Sunday, it will be partly sunny, with a high near 64, and breezy, the weather service said.
Sunday night, there is a 30 percent chance of rain after 1 a.m., with a low of 49, according to the weather service.
Monday, there is a 60 percent chance of rain, with a high near 60, the weather service said.
Monday night, there is a 60 percent chance of rain, with a low of 48, according to the weather service.
Tuesday, there is a 40 percent chance of rain, with a high near 59, the weather service said.
Dr. Lee Norman, Kansas secretary of health, said on Tuesday that the state will come out with more guidance by Monday on Phases 3 and 4 of the state vaccine plan.
Gov. Laura Kelly and Dr. Norman announced Monday that Phases 3 and 4 of the vaccine plan would start Monday, March 22.
One of the questions raised about the new phases is how will vaccination sites know if a person has a chronic disease and is in one of the phases. The topic was discussed at the Tuesday morning media update at the University of Kansas Health System.
Dr. Norman said the state will come out with some guidance on that topic soon. He said that people will be on the honor system, but they might want to bring a pill bottle with their name and the medication name on it, or a copy of their prescription with them when they get a vaccine.
Dr. Norman said the Kansas Department of Health and Environment decided to combine phases 3 and 4, which deal with people with severe illnesses and people with other medical risks.
He said even the professionals found it hard to differentiate between Phase 3, those with severe illnesses, and Phase 4, those in the other medical risk category. The CDC has provided guidance on the lists, but when they look at it as doctors, no bright line separates the conditions, Dr. Norman said.
Dr. Norman said this would be a great time for people to touch base with their medical providers to talk about the vaccine, if they haven’t received one yet.
In general, Dr. Norman said that the state doesn’t want to make vaccine providers shuffle through medical records, or burden primary care doctors with a lot of paperwork.
Dr. Norman said Kansas expects a large influx of Johnson and Johnson vaccine at the end of March to help with the vaccination efforts in Kansas.
Besides health departments and some hospitals, vaccines are being distributed at safety net clinics, and some pharmacies.
Dr. Norman said it’s critical to get vaccines to medical practices, where primary care providers can talk with people about the vaccines. He said Johnson and Johnson vaccine would be ideal for medical offices, as it’s easier to handle.
On another topic, the doctors were concerned about parties and spring break celebrations that could spread COVID-19.
Dr. Norman said St. Patrick’s Day parties could turn out to be super spreader events.
“We can’t let our guard down,” Dr. Norman said. “COVID is not gone and it’s not forgotten.”
On the topic of some state legislators who were proposing to change the hundred-year-old public health laws, Dr. Norman said, “To turn public health authority over to a legislative committee or an attorney general is ill-advised.”
He said the health departments need to be able to act in the event of any health outbreaks. Last week, the state had an outbreak of syphilis, and a team from the state health department responded the next day. Anything that slows their ability to respond to outbreaks with investigations and treatment is ill-advised, he said. They have also had food outbreaks, as well as mandatory isolation and quarantine for mumps, according to Dr. Norman.
“It isn’t just about COVID-19,” Dr. Norman said.
COVID-19 case numbers reported
The University of Kansas Health System reported 11 active COVID-19 patients on Tuesday morning, the same number as Monday. Of the 11 patients, four were in the intensive care unit, an increase of one since Monday. One patient was on a ventilator, no change since Monday. There were another 15 COVID-19 patients who were hospitalized but are out of the acute infection phase, a decrease of five since Monday. There is a total 26 patients, a decrease of five from Monday.
Wyandotte County reported an increase of eight COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, March 16, since Monday, for a cumulative 17,908 cases. There was a cumulative total of 278 deaths reported, no change since Monday.
The Mid-America Regional Council’s COVID-19 dashboard reported 162,252 cumulative COVID-19 cases on Tuesday. The daily average of new hospitalizations was 72. The number of cumulative deaths was 2,291.
The state of Kansas reported 298,218 cumulative COVID-19 cases on Monday, March 15, an increase of 470 cases since Friday. There were a total cumulative 4,835 deaths reported, an increase of 11 deaths.
The Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 dashboard on Tuesday night reported 29,547,756 cases in the United States, with 536,887 total deaths reported nationwide.
COVID-19 tests scheduled Wednesday
Free COVID-19 tests will be available from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 17, at Faith Deliverance Family Worship Center, 3043 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas.
Another COVID-19 testing site will be at Lowe’s, 6920 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas, at 8 a.m. Wednesday, March 17. Tests are through WellHealth. Appointments are required, check with the website, www.gogettested.com/Kansas, for available appointment times.
Unified Government Health Department COVID-19 testing and vaccine sites are scheduled to be open on Wednesday, March 17. The test site at the former Kmart building at 78th and State will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 17. Appointments are not needed for COVID-19 tests and vaccinations for those over 65 on Wednesday. There is also a UG Health Department location for COVID-19 testing and vaccinations at the former Best Buy store, 10500 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas. A third Health Department site, for vaccinations, is at the Kansas National Guard Armory at 100 S. 20th. More information is at https://wyandotte-county-covid-19-hub-unifiedgov.hub.arcgis.com/pages/what-to-do-if-you-think-you-have-covid-19. To see if there is any change to the schedule, visit https://www.facebook.com/UGHealthDept.
The Health Department is 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.
More residents now can walk in for vaccinations
The UG Health Department is offering COVID-19 vaccines Monday through Friday for Wyandotte County residents who are 65 and older, and also for high-contact critical workers in Phase 2.
Those Wyandotte County residents who are 65 or older, and critical workers in Phase 2, can walk in and do not need an appointment from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday at the vaccination sites at the former Kmart store at 7836 State Ave., the former Best Buy store at 10500 Parallel Parkway and the Kansas National Guard Armory at 100 S. 20th. Those who walk in to get vaccines should bring an ID and something showing their Wyandotte County address, such as mail. Critical workers should bring a work badge or a document showing they work in Wyandotte County.
Those Wyandotte County residents who are younger than 65, or are not eligible yet, may fill out a form expressing interest in getting a vaccine at WycoVaccines.org or call 3-1-1.
Those who can walk in and get a COVID-19 vaccine at a Health Department clinic now include those who are high-contact critical workers, along with those who are 65 and older.
According to an announcement Tuesday from the UG Health Department, critical workers in Phase 2 of the Kansas vaccine plan are now eligible for walk-in vaccinations, without appointments. Also eligible for walk-in vaccinations are all those listed in Phase 1.
Gov. Laura Kelly announced on Monday that the state would move into Phases 3 and 4 on Monday, March 22.
According to a UG Health Department spokesman, people who live in Wyandotte County who are eligible in Phases 1 and 2 are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated this week before Phases 3 and 4 start next week.
Those who are eligible in Phases 1 and 2 to walk into any of the Health Department’s three vaccination facilities to get a free vaccination, without an appointment, include:
• Wyandotte County residents ages 65 and older. • High-contact critical workers who live in Wyandotte County, which includes the following industries in Phase 2 of the Kansas vaccine plan: o Grocery store, food services and food processing workers, including meat processing and meat packing plant workers. o Child care providers, K-12 and child care workers, including teachers, custodians, drivers and other staff, plus higher education employees and workers. o Transportation workers. o Those who work in retail sales outlets. o Warehouse workers. o Agricultural workers. o Workers at businesses that create materials for the COVID-19 response, for example, businesses that manufacture personal protective equipment. o U.S. Postal Service workers. o Department of Motor Vehicles workers. o Large-scale aviation manufacturing plants. o Firefighters, police officers, first responders, corrections officers.
• Workers living in Wyandotte County who were eligible in Phase 1 and have not yet been vaccinated, including: o Health care-associated workers. o Workers critical to pandemic response continuity.
Critical workers are those necessary to maintain systems, assets and activities that are vital to the state or national security, the economy or public health as defined by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
“This is a big step forward in our COVID-19 vaccine roll out in Wyandotte County,” Juliann Van Liew, director of the Health Department, said. “We now have three vaccination facilities available to the public, and we’re pleased to be able to expand the availability of walk-in vaccinations not only to seniors 65 and over, but now to high-contact critical workers as well. Our goal is to continue to expand vaccine availability as equitably as possible throughout Wyandotte County, so that in time anyone who wants COVID-19 vaccine will be able to get it.”
People who are eligible under Phases 1 and 2 who walk in for a vaccination do not have to fill out the online vaccine interest form. Instead, they should bring these items with them:
• Seniors should bring: o Proof of age, such as an ID or birth certificate, or similar document. o Proof that they live in Wyandotte County, such as a piece of mail addressed to them.
• Critical workers should bring: o Proof of eligible employment, such as a work badge, pay stub, W-2, or similar document. o Proof that they live in Wyandotte County, such as a piece of mail addressed to them.
A spokesman stated that the Unified Government Health Department realizes that not everyone has a government-issued ID, and they are working on ways to remove this barrier in future stages of the vaccine rollout, to make vaccines more accessible.
Vaccines are now available at all three UGPHD mass vaccinations sites. Eligible Wyandotte County residents can choose the site most convenient for them:
• West location: Former Best Buy, 10500 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas 66109. • Central location: Former Kmart, 7836 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas 66112. • East location: The Kansas National Guard Armory, 100 S. 20th St., Kansas City, Kansas, 66102.
Walk-ins are welcome at all three sites between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Those who are not eligible to walk in, but who want to be vaccinated, may fill out the vaccine interest form online or by telephone. Visit WycoVaccines.org or call 3-1-1 for assistance in filling out the form.
Tips for getting the vaccine
When it’s time for you to get your COVID-19 vaccine, keep these tips in mind, according to the Health Department: • Eat something, even a snack, before getting the vaccination. • Be prepared to wait in the recovery area for 15-30 minutes after your vaccination. • Wear a short-sleeved shirt so you can be vaccinated more easily (if it’s chilly out, wear a sweater or jacket over your short-sleeved shirt).
