A recent rise in the number of positive COVID-19 cases in Wyandotte County resulted in an announcement today that Wyandotte County will remain in Phase 3 of the Ad Astra reopening plan through at least July 6.
“The numbers show that COVID-19 continues to be a threat in our community, and as we have begun reopening our businesses and our communities, it has begun to spread, although slowly, once again,” said Dr. Allen Greiner, chief medical officer with the Unified Government Health Department. “Out of an abundance of caution, we will remain in Phase 3 of our reopening plan, with some additional modifications and guidance.”
UG Health Department officials announced on June 16 that COVID-19 cases were on the rise in Wyandotte County.
“We look at 7-day rolling averages to track the spread of COVID-19, and make decisions on reopening,” Dr. Greiner said. “This gives us a better picture of what’s happening with the virus over time, versus looking at data from a single day. Unfortunately, the data is showing us that COVID-19 is spreading. By staying in Phase 3 for at least an additional two weeks, we can slow and contain this spread.”
“Wyandotte County residents have done a great job helping contain and slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community through shared sacrifice and working together,” Mayor David Alvey said. “While community health orders have been relaxed significantly in recent weeks, the latest health data shows a rise in cases in Wyandotte County, requiring public health officials to extend Phase 3 of the Ad Astra state plan instead of transitioning to a full Phase Out on June 22nd. The latest health data is disappointing. We must remember that the pathway out of this is in our hands if we continue practicing safe social distancing, wear face coverings whenever possible, and adhere to all public health guidelines. By doing so, we not only protect our most vulnerable, we preserve all that we’ve achieved over the last several months and expedite our community’s return to business as usual.”
“Wyandotte County residents have done a great job helping contain and slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community through shared sacrifice and working together,” Mayor David Alvey said. “While community health orders have been relaxed significantly in recent weeks, the latest health data shows a rise in cases in Wyandotte County, requiring public health officials to extend Phase 3 of the Ad Astra state plan instead of transitioning to a full Phase Out on June 22nd. The latest health data is disappointing. We must remember that the pathway out of this is in our hands if we continue practicing safe social distancing, wear face coverings whenever possible, and adhere to all public health guidelines. By doing so, we not only protect our most vulnerable, we preserve all that we’ve achieved over the last several months and expedite our community’s return to business as usual.”
Phase 3 continues; some changes to long-term care rules
Phase 3 of the Ad Astra reopening plan began in Wyandotte County on June 8. This phase of the reopening plan allows for further loosening of restrictions on individuals and businesses compared to Phase 2, but with some restrictions still in place, according to health department officials.
Most of the Phase 3 restrictions will remain the same as the phase is extended, with the exception of changes to restrictions for long-term care facilities.
Up to this point, visits to these facilities have been prohibited. Under the modified Phase 3 extension, long-term care and assisted living facilities may allow limited numbers of visitors in their facilities once they have developed a visitation plan, which must be approved by the Unified Government Health Department, a spokesman stated.
“After seeing a large long-term care facility outbreak in our community, the Wyandotte County Long-Term Care Facility Task Force has developed robust guidance, and has been in direct communication with each long-term care and assisted living facility in our county about this guidance,” said Dr. Erin Corriveau, deputy medical officer with the UG Health Department. “Our long-term care facilities are much more prepared now to respond if any cases arise at their site, and have worked diligently with the Health Department to address questions or concerns as soon as they arise.
“Social isolation has taken a serious toll on the residents of these facilities, and it’s important that we take that into account,” she stated. “We feel that it is appropriate to allow some visits to happen at these facilities, mostly outside and under very strict guidelines, and so long as the facility has their plan approved by the UG Public Health Department.”
Phase 3 will remain the same for other businesses and activities, the spokesman stated. All businesses may reopen, and all education, activities, venues and establishments can operate, as long as they follow guidelines:
• Gatherings of up to 45 people are allowed. Gatherings of more than 45 people should be avoided.
• Everyone is encouraged to wear masks or cloth face coverings in public settings.
• People should maintain at least six feet of distance between themselves and others in public (not including people who live together).
• For employers and business owners, encourage employees and customers to always wear masks in your place of business, and allow for proper social distancing in all business areas such as retail shopping areas, business office settings and restaurants.
• Swimming pools are allowed to open, with social distancing and no more than 45 people on site at a time. UG Parks and Recreation pools and spray parks will remain closed.
• Summer camps, fairs, festivals and outdoor activities can reopen as long as they can maintain at least six feet of distance between individuals or groups, beyond 45 individuals and at 50% or less of fire marshal approved capacity.
Businesses and individuals play roles in slowing spread of virus
According to Health Department officials, businesses and individuals play an important role in once again slowing and containing the spread of COVID-19 in Wyandotte County.
Rules for businesses
It is the responsibility of businesses reopening in Phase 3 to keep their employees and visitors as safe as possible from COVID-19, a Health Department spokesman stated.
Businesses need to:
• Ensure social distancing (at least six feet) between individuals and groups who do not share a household. This may include steps such as installing partitions between patrons or employees, modifying employee work areas or work schedules, or marking spots on the floor six feet apart where people will be waiting in line.
• Ask that employees wear masks or cloth face coverings and encourage customers to do the same.
• Educate employees on how to properly wear a mask (ensuring it covers both the nose and mouth at all times).
• If employees become sick, especially with COVID-19 symptoms, they should stay home except to get tested for COVID-19 at a local testing site.
Businesses can learn more in the Wyandotte County COVID-19 Business Toolkit, available at wycokck.org/COVID-19. They can get business-related COVID-19 questions answered by calling 3-1-1.
Recommendations for individuals
Wearing masks or cloth face coverings
The Health Department strongly recommends that anyone over the age of 2 wear a cloth face covering while in public, according to the spokesman. Health Department staff offered tips about masks and cloth face coverings:
• Wear a mask or cloth face covering appropriately (it must cover both your mouth and nose)
• Don’t touch your mask or your face. If you need to adjust your mask, clean your hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer before and after touching your mask.
• Cloth face coverings that you can make with items around your home are effective at helping reduce the spread of COVID-19. You do not need a surgical mask or other medical-grade mask, and it is best to reserve those supplies for health care workers.
• Learn about cloth face covering recommendations, including how to make your own mask at home, at cdc.gov/COVID19.
• The primary purpose of mask is to protect others in case you may be carrying the virus, even if you don’t have symptoms. If everyone wears masks, everyone helps protect one another, and especially protect those most vulnerable to serious illness.
Wearing a mask is not a substitute for social distancing or excellent hygiene, the spokesman stated. The combination of different safety precautions is how to best stop the spread of COVID-19.
Social distancing
• Maintain a distance of at least six feet between yourself and anyone who does not live in your household.
• You may need to modify aspects of your routine to do this, such as not carpooling with people outside of your household.
• Remember to wear a mask or cloth face covering for additional protection, even when six feet apart.
Social gatherings
• Under Phase 3, social gatherings are limited to no more than 45 people.
• In addition to keeping the number of people to no more than 45, social distancing of six feet or more should be maintained.
If sick or exposed to COVID-19, get tested
• You should get tested for COVID-19 if you develop any symptoms of COVID-19, such as:
o Fever
o Dry cough
o Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
o Headache
o Chills
o Muscle or body aches
o Runny nose
o Sore throat
o Diarrhea
o New loss of taste or smell
o You have been exposed to COVID-19 through close contact (within six feet for at least 10 minutes) with someone who has tested positive or through association with a known outbreak
Testing is available for free to people who live or work in Wyandotte County at multiple community locations, including the at the UG Health Department and a rotating weekly schedule of “pop-up” sites coordinated by the Wyandotte County Health Equity Task Force. The latest testing schedule and locations are at wycokck.org/COVID-19 or call 3-1-1.
Those without symptoms can spread the virus
Local health officials reminded Wyandotte County residents that asymptomatic spread may be possible, and that safety precautions should be taken even if you do not have symptoms.
“Even if you don’t have symptoms right now, you may still be able to infect others,” said Dr. Erin Corriveau, deputy medical officer with the UG Health Department.
“Recently, someone from the World Health Organization mistakenly said that asymptomatic spread is unlikely, then quickly retracted the statement because there is not adequate scientific evidence to support that claim,” she said. “Unfortunately, this misinformation spread widely. In fact, we do see evidence that people who develop symptoms can be infectious up to two days before their symptoms start. This is why it is so important for everyone to wear masks and practice social distancing, even if they feel well.”
Additional data and resources on COVID-19 in Wyandotte County are at wycokck.org/COVID-19 or by calling 3-1-1.
- Information from UG Health Department
