Category: COVID-19

COVID-19 cases increase over weekend; animal shelter has COVID-19 exposure

Total cumulative cases were 4,065 on Sunday, an increase of 82 on Saturday and nine on Sunday, according to the UG COVID-19 website. There were no new deaths; the cumulative total was the same at 91. (From UG COVID-19 website)

COVID-19 cases increased over the weekend by 82 on Saturday and nine additional cases on Sunday, according to the Unified Government COVID-19 webpage.

Total cumulative cases were 4,065 on Sunday, according to the website. There were no new deaths; the cumulative total was the same at 91.

COVID-19 exposure reported at KCK animal shelter

On Sunday, the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department announced that the animal services shelter has been temporarily modified because of a COVID-19 exposure. Those who were exposed will be tested and monitored, according to the police department spokesman.

Shelter administration is working with rescue partners to transfer animals to foster programs until adoptions resume, the spokesman stated. Staff will continue to provide care to animals that remain in the shelter, according to the spokesman.

During this time, no adoptions will be completed, and there is some reduction to services. Animal services will continue to respond in person to calls for service that include neglect of an animal, injury of an animal or bites to a human, according to the spokesman.

Animal services will be closed to the public, unless residents are reclaiming their animals, which can be done 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, according to the spokesman.
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Residents may visit the UG COVID-19 website at https://alpha.wycokck.org/Coronavirus-COVID-19-Information or call 311 for more information.


COVID-19 data for the metro area is on the KC Region COVID-19 Resource Hub at http://marc-gis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/1c93961075454558b3bf0dfad014feae


For information on the amended Wyandotte County mask order, visit https://www.wycokck.org/WycoKCK/media/Health-Department/Documents/Communicable%20Disease/COVID19/07142020MaskOrderAmendments.pdf and https://www.wycokck.org/WycoKCK/media/Health-Department/Documents/Communicable%20Disease/COVID19/07142020LocalHealthOfficerOrderMaskAmendments.pdf.

The governor’s executive order on masks is at https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/20200702093130003.pdf.

The governor’s news release on the mask order is at https://governor.kansas.gov/governor-laura-kelly-signs-executive-order-mandating-masks-in-public-spaces/.

The Wyandotte County mask order is at https://www.wycokck.org/WycoKCK/media/Health-Department/Documents/Communicable%20Disease/COVID19/06272020LocalHealthOfficerOrderRegardingMasks.pdf.

The value of social distancing and wearing a mask was demonstrated by the KU doctors, who went into a walk-in freezer to show how far the virus and breath can spread. Masks stopped the breath and particles from spreading. To see the video, visit https://www.facebook.com/kuhospital/videos/2378490412455079.

For information on how to make an easy no-sew mask, visit https://wyandotteonline.com/how-to-make-a-no-sew-cloth-mask/.


The state’s COVID-19 test page is at https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/280/COVID-19-Testing.

Wyandotte County is currently under Phase 3. See covid.ks.gov.

The state plan’s frequently asked questions page is at https://covid.ks.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Reopening-FAQ_5.19.2020_Final.pdf.


The CDC’s COVID-19 web page is at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html.

Core 4 local governments urge residents to wear masks, practice social distancing

Wyandotte County reported 3,974 total cumulative COVID-19 cases on Friday afternoon, an increase of 80 cases since Thursday afternoon, according to the Unified Government COVID-19 website. There were 91 total cumulative deaths on Friday, an increase of one since Thursday. (From UG COVID-19 webpage)

A group of four local governments Friday issued a letter urging residents to take safely precautions seriously to prevent additional spreading of COVID-19.

The Core 4 – Wyandotte County, Jackson County, Johnson County and Kansas City, Missouri – said that the increase of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in the metro area is serious and affects the health of residents, putting a strain on front-line workers and the health system.

Mask-wearing mandates are extremely important to help reduce COVID-19 numbers, according to a spokesman for the Core 4 group. Recent data from Goldman Sachs show mask mandates can slow the rate of new COVID-19 infections and are better for the economy than more restrictive steps like lockdown measures, according to the group.

It will be important to limit interactions in settings like bars, restaurants, and other places where people will have their masks off, according to the spokesman. Businesses are encouraged to use creative strategies such as serving patrons in different outdoor settings whenever possible.

The community needs everyone’s help now by wearing masks when in public, along with other measures such as social distancing and limiting interactions with those outside their own households, the Core 4 spokesman stated. This is the best chance at avoiding additional restrictions, according to the group.

The spokesman stated that health officials will continue to closely monitor the data and use that to make collaborative decisions on how to protect the community.

The state of Kansas reported 1,005 more cases on Friday morning, as compared to Wednesday morning, according to Kansas Department of Health and Environment statistics. The cumulative total of cases was 25,109. There was an increase of 18 deaths since Wednesday.

Wyandotte County reported 3,974 total cumulative COVID-19 cases on Friday afternoon, an increase of 80 cases since Thursday afternoon, according to the Unified Government COVID-19 website. There were 91 total cumulative deaths on Friday, an increase of one since Thursday.

Johnson County reported the highest cumulative number of COVID-19 cases in Kansas on Friday with 4,381. There were 223 more cases than Wednesday.

The University of Kansas Health System reported 32 COVID-19 patients Friday, down one from 33 on Thursday and less than 36 earlier this week, according to Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical direction of infection control and prevention at the KU Health System. There were five patients in the intensive care unit, a decrease from 17 on Thursday. Four patients were on ventilators, a decrease of two from Thursday. Four COVID-19 patients were discharged and eight new ones were admitted.

One young COVID-19 patient died, according to the doctors, the first since June 27.

The health system can care for 40 to 45 patients without putting a strain on the system, according to the doctors.

Dr. Steve Stites, chief medical officer for KU Health System, said COVID-19 can be contained by a simple mask. Dr. Hawkinson urged people to socially distance, wear a mask, wash hands and stay away from gatherings in order to flatten the curve before school starts.

Dr. Stites predicted there would be a high of about 40 patients at KU hospital.

He said Wyandotte County’s COVID-19 numbers had been decreasing a little, and Johnson County really needs to bend the curve a little more, as numbers there have been going up.

The value of social distancing and wearing a mask was demonstrated by the KU doctors, who went into a walk-in freezer to show how far the virus and breath can spread. Masks stopped the breath and particles from spreading. To see the video, visit https://www.facebook.com/kuhospital/videos/2378490412455079.

The KU Health System doctors’ news conference is at https://www.facebook.com/kuhospital/videos/348227952852114.

COVID-19 data for the metro area is on the KC Region COVID-19 Resource Hub at http://marc-gis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/1c93961075454558b3bf0dfad014feae

For information on the amended Wyandotte County mask order, visit https://www.wycokck.org/WycoKCK/media/Health-Department/Documents/Communicable%20Disease/COVID19/07142020MaskOrderAmendments.pdf and https://www.wycokck.org/WycoKCK/media/Health-Department/Documents/Communicable%20Disease/COVID19/07142020LocalHealthOfficerOrderMaskAmendments.pdf.


The governor’s executive order on masks is at https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/20200702093130003.pdf.


The governor’s news release on the mask order is at https://governor.kansas.gov/governor-laura-kelly-signs-executive-order-mandating-masks-in-public-spaces/.


The Wyandotte County mask order is at https://www.wycokck.org/WycoKCK/media/Health-Department/Documents/Communicable%20Disease/COVID19/06272020LocalHealthOfficerOrderRegardingMasks.pdf.

For information on how to make an easy no-sew mask, visit https://wyandotteonline.com/how-to-make-a-no-sew-cloth-mask/.

The state’s COVID-19 test page is at https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/280/COVID-19-Testing.


Residents may visit the UG COVID-19 website at https://alpha.wycokck.org/Coronavirus-COVID-19-Information or call 311 for more information.


Wyandotte County is currently under Phase 3. See covid.ks.gov.


The state plan’s frequently asked questions page is at https://covid.ks.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Reopening-FAQ_5.19.2020_Final.pdf.

The CDC’s COVID-19 web page is at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html.

Guidelines for reopening schools discussed

Wyandotte County reported an increase of 72 cases at 1 p.m. Thursday, with a cumulative total of 3,894, according to the UG COVID-19 website. The number of deaths did not increase, with the total at a cumulative 90. (From UG COVID-19 webpage)

Wyandotte County health officers discussed school reopening plans at a news conference held Thursday morning by the University of Kansas Health System.

When schools reopen, they might look differently, according to the doctors.

When schools reopen, if there is about the same rate of cases here, schools could have 50 percent of the usual number of students in classrooms, with other students at home, according to Dr. Erin Corriveau, deputy medical officer for Wyandotte County. That would allow a six-foot distance between students.

Each of the school districts will send its plan to the Health Department, she said. At some schools, the superintendents have discussed bringing back the elementary age children, while educating the high school students at home, she said. Others have different ideas, including cohort groups and alternate days of school.

Students will wear masks, socially distance and will be using hand sanitizer often under the reopening plans. The Unified Government Health Department has recommended all students wear masks.

“Start now with your children and help them practice mask-wearing throughout the day at home,” Dr. Corriveau said.

As the governor’s order to start school after Labor Day has failed at the state Board of Education level, the decisions on school reopening dates now will be made by local school districts in consultation with the health departments. The Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools announced earlier this week it would reopen after Labor Day, with remote learning only for the first nine weeks.

Dr. Allen Greiner, chief medical officer for Wyandotte County, said some of the students will be learning remotely at home. The KCK district has done a lot of innovative things, he said, extending technology to many students.

In order to keep COVID-19 from spreading when school is held in-person, it’s better to have children in one classroom with one teacher, according to Dr. Greiner.

The UG Health Department is currently working on more orders concerning education, according to Dr. Corriveau.

The University of Kansas Health System reported 33 COVID-19 patients on Thursday morning, with 17 in the intensive care unit and six on ventilators. The total number of patients was down two from Wednesday, the number in the ICU was up one from Wednesday and the number on ventilators was the same as Wednesday.

Wyandotte County reported an increase of 72 cases at 1 p.m. Thursday, with a cumulative total of 3,894, according to the UG COVID-19 website. The number of deaths did not increase, with the total at a cumulative 90.

Testing continues

COVID-19 testing for the homeless will continue to take place on Friday in Wyandotte County, according to the Unified Government Health Department.
Testing will take place at two locations on Friday:

• Frank Williams Outreach Center, 7th and Nebraska, Kansas City, Kansas, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. July 24;
• Cross-Lines Community Outreach, food kitchen, 7th and Shawnee, Kansas City, Kansas, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. July 24.

Test results will be available at the testing locations on Monday, July 27, and Tuesday, July 28.

Testing also continues at the UG Health Department parking lot, 619 Ann Ave., Kansas City, Kansas, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. No appointment is needed.

The free tests are for people who have symptoms or who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. These tests are open to those who live or work in Wyandotte County, and they should bring an item to show they live or work here, such as a piece of mail. For more information, call 3-1-1 or visit https://wyandotte-county-covid-19-hub-unifiedgov.hub.arcgis.com/pages/what-to-do-if-you-think-you-have-covid-19.

The KU doctors’ news conference is at https://www.facebook.com/kuhospital/videos/293997965171006

The governor’s Executive Order 20-59, on wearing masks and other mitigation procedures in schools, is online at https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/EO-20-59-PDF.pdf.

For information on the amended Wyandotte County mask order, visit https://www.wycokck.org/WycoKCK/media/Health-Department/Documents/Communicable%20Disease/COVID19/07142020MaskOrderAmendments.pdf and https://www.wycokck.org/WycoKCK/media/Health-Department/Documents/Communicable%20Disease/COVID19/07142020LocalHealthOfficerOrderMaskAmendments.pdf.


The governor’s executive order on masks is at https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/20200702093130003.pdf.


The governor’s news release on the mask order is at https://governor.kansas.gov/governor-laura-kelly-signs-executive-order-mandating-masks-in-public-spaces/.


The Wyandotte County mask order is at https://www.wycokck.org/WycoKCK/media/Health-Department/Documents/Communicable%20Disease/COVID19/06272020LocalHealthOfficerOrderRegardingMasks.pdf.

For information on how to make an easy no-sew mask, visit https://wyandotteonline.com/how-to-make-a-no-sew-cloth-mask/.

The state’s COVID-19 test page is at https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/280/COVID-19-Testing.


Residents may visit the UG COVID-19 website at https://alpha.wycokck.org/Coronavirus-COVID-19-Information or call 311 for more information.


Wyandotte County is currently under Phase 3. See covid.ks.gov.


The state plan’s frequently asked questions page is at https://covid.ks.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Reopening-FAQ_5.19.2020_Final.pdf.

The CDC’s COVID-19 web page is at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html.