During a town hall meeting Tuesday morning, Wyandotte County businesses were encouraged to contact the Unified Government Health Department with any questions they may have about health orders relating to COVID-19.
Private businesses as well as nonprofit and public entities fall under the health order issued Nov. 20, according to Health Department officials.
Closing times of 10 p.m. for bars and restaurants along with capacity limits were added on Nov. 20. While drive-through and delivery services are allowed after 10 p.m., no “takeout” orders are allowed after 10 p.m. Guests are required to leave at 10 p.m.
Also, Wyandotte County still has a mandatory mask order and social distancing order in place.
Hailey Shoemaker, a UG Health Department epidemiologist, explained that 50 percent capacity applies to entertainment and recreation venues. A 10-person limit applies to weddings, parties, competitions and other group gatherings. It does not allow multiple groups of 10 that can intermingle.
Some events may fall under the 50 percent capacity rule, and allow more than 10 persons, if people are, for example, just crossing paths in the hallway, Shoemaker said. One of those places that is allowed to have 50 percent capacity is the gym, where there can be more than 10 people if social distancing is taking place, she added.
The Health Department is not encouraging people to gather in any size groups outside of their own households, but if it must be done, the Health Department is limiting gatherings to 10 people, she said.
In restaurants and bars, seated parties are limited to eight persons, and individuals must be at least six feet apart. Individuals should wear masks when they are not eating. Capacity is 50 percent of the fire marshal’s capacity number.
Shoemaker also discussed contact tracing, and the length of quarantines. Wyandotte County is keeping the mandatory 14-day quarantine for those who have been exposed to COVID-19.
Businesses may call or email the Health Department at [email protected], 913-573-6733, or may fill out a form requesting information about the health orders at https://us.openforms.com/Form/e8a0065e-a919-4599-a029-77f18c8de4a3.
Individuals or groups may fill out a form requesting to hold an event of more than 10 persons at https://us.openforms.com/Form/6465c596-4bee-4adc-86ab-e70620e3f548.
Individuals may make complaints about violations of the health orders at
https://us.openforms.com/Form/c31a2197-43fd-41f9-9ffd-c9f34c492f56?fbclid=IwAR0kRXPxdcgAZ3ynN3xvCEMrpD7DstTvRjuRRJHObQh4Wy7Xgp72Js4qWKY.
Two new health and safety inspectors are visiting four to five businesses a day, responding to complaints and inquiries, she said. Most of the visits have been to restaurants, gas stations, groceries and retail stores, she said.
Most of time, only one visit was needed to explain the rules to the businesses, she said. There were 95 first visits, six second visits and one third visit so far.
The inspectors have found that employee screening is poor and could be improved with questions and temperature screenings, she said. Also mask compliance is moderate, she said. In 28 percent of the cases, there was at least one employee not wearing a mask. Also, in 25 percent of the businesses, there was at least one customer with no mask, she said.
Social distancing was good in the businesses, and the Health Department has stickers or markers available to show customers where to stand, she said. Only 30 percent were using floor markers so far.
Shoemaker said the Health Department currently is engaging in “educational” enforcement, explaining the rules to businesses and organizations. The health order includes $500 fines and 30 days in jail as penalties; however, they haven’t had to write any citations yet, she said.
Chandra Green, director of Alive and Thrive – Wyandotte County, explained how to use a trauma-informed approach to address concerns or conflict among employees and customers.
She encouraged businesses to be up-front with their employees and customers, have meetings, inform them where the business stands, and have signs stating these policies.
Also, offer choices whenever possible, she said. If a customer doesn’t want to comply with the mask order, offer them an opportunity to go to the website and order online, she said.
Many times, those who work in businesses do not realize they are overwhelmed, and may not see all the other options around them, she said. That is when it helps to pull all the employees in and consider different options and approaches to problems.
Green encouraged businesses and organizations to call or write her for further assistance at [email protected]. She has training materials available, and also $3,000 grants available supporting COVID-related community initiatives.
More information about the health orders is at https://alpha.wycokck.org/files/assets/public/health/documents/covid/11202020newlhostarts.pdf.
Case numbers increasing
Wyandotte County reported 11,806 total cumulative COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, with an increase of 61 since Monday, according to the Unified Government COVID-19 webpage. There were 184 deaths, no change from Monday.
On Tuesday morning, KU Health System reported an increased number of COVID-19 inpatients. There were 94 active COVID-19 cases in the hospital, up from 82 on Monday, according to Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of infection prevention and control. There were 52 patients in the intensive care unit, an increase from 47 on Monday, and 25 of the ICU patients were on ventilators, a decrease from 28 on Monday. There were another 62 patients still in the hospital and out of the acute infection phase, up from 59 on Monday, for a total of 156 COVID-19 patients, an increase from 141 on Monday.
HaysMed in Hays, Kansas, reported a total 28 COVID-19 inpatients, an increase from 25 on Monday. Twenty-four were active patients and four were in the recovery phase.
The Mid-America Regional Council’s Kansas City Regional COVID-19 Resource Hub reported 98,414 total cases on Tuesday, with 1,174 total deaths in the nine-county region. The average daily number of COVID-19 daily new hospitalizations in the nine-county area was 171.
Kansas reported 174,025 cumulative cases on Monday, an increase of 5,730 cases since Friday, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. There were an additional 70 deaths reported, for a cumulative 1,856.
The Johns Hopkins COVID-19 dashboard reported 15,164,886 cumulative cases in the United States on Tuesday, an increase of 215,657 cases since Monday. There were 283,703 cumulative deaths reported, an increase of 2,526 deaths since Monday.
Free COVID-19 testing available Wednesday
Free COVID-19 testing will be available from 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9, at Faith Deliverance Family Worship Center, 3043 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas.
This pop-up test is through Vibrant Health and the Wyandotte County Health Equity Task Force.
The Unified Government Health Department has moved its COVID-19 testing from the 6th and Ann location to the former Kmart at 78th and State Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas. The hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Tests are free for those who live or work in Wyandotte County. The tests are now saliva COVID-19 tests.
The tests now 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.
For more information about other test sites in Wyandotte County, visit 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.
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].
For more information, visit https://wyandotte-county-covid-19-hub-unifiedgov.hub.arcgis.com/pages/what-to-do-if-you-think-you-have-covid-19.
Wyandotte County is under a mandatory mask and social distancing order. Also, the Wyandotte County health order with a limit of 10 persons to a gathering, and a closing time of 10 p.m. for restaurants and bars, with other new restrictions, is at https://alpha.wycokck.org/files/assets/public/health/documents/covid/11162020localhealthorderexecuted.pdf.
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.
The CDC’s COVID-19 webpage is at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html.