School buildings closed for the semester throughout Kansas
Three new cases of COVID-19 have been announced in Wyandotte County today, bringing the total to four, according to health officials.
The information was released during a presentation by Mayor David Alvey and Dr. Allen Greiner, chief medical officer, on Facebook this afternoon.
Dr. Greiner said this morning Wyandotte County had two new COVID-19 cases, and this afternoon, a third was confirmed. This brings the total number of COVID-19 cases in Wyandotte County to four, he said. The total number of state positive cases increased to 16.
The two cases this morning were a female in her 40s and a female in her 50s, who were admitted to separate hospitals, he said, and are now isolated at home.
The patient confirmed this afternoon was a male under age 18, who was well enough to be isolated at home, according to Dr. Greiner. He was a student at a local private school, he said. Health officials are working closely with the private school in their investigation of the case, he said.
Schools in Wyandotte County are currently closed, many for spring break, and have decided to stay closed through April 6, Mayor Alvey said, and will be offering online instruction for students.
Gov. Laura Kelly announced later this afternoon in Topeka that K-12 school buildings in Kansas will be closed for the rest of the semester because of COVID-19. The schools will need to cease in-person instruction, she said. They are expected to begin online learning. Some administrative offices and support facilities may be kept open, with the consultation of state and local health authorities. Small groups of school personnel may be allowed to meet to implement a plan for continuous learning.
“The reality of this pandemic is it cannot be controlled statewide if school buildings return to normal operations, or if they respond inconsistently within our local communities,” Gov. Kelly said.
Schools are expected to make a transition to online learning during this time. A task for is working on a plan that is to be presented March 18. School districts will be getting in touch with parents with more information during the next 24 hours, according to the governor.
Following the governor’s announcement, the Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools posted a message on its website today: “In the coming days, we will implement a plan for continuous learning through guidance from the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) to ensure learning continues during these challenging times. In addition to implementing the continuous learning plan, the district will also provide information about continuous availability of meals for our students.” The full KCKPS message is at https://kckps.org/a-message-from-kckps-on-gov-laura-kellys-announcement/.
“Seeing additional cases of COVID-19 is a call to action for all of us,” Dr. Greiner said. “It’s up to our community as a whole to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and to protect those in the community who are the most vulnerable to serious illness.”
Dr. Greiner said residents should avoid large gatherings; practice social distancing, no closer than six feet to others; if sick, stay home; if there are symptoms of cough, fever and shortness of breath, call ahead before seeing a health care provider and stay home until additional instructions are received from their office; if you think you need a test, call the provider and they will determine what is right for your care; practice good hygiene including handwashing for 20 seconds and using hand sanitizer; avoid touching the face; and clean regularly touched surfaces daily. Also, older adults and people with chronic health conditions are more susceptible to COVID-19.
Mayor Alvey said that to increase social distancing, the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas is canceling all services and Masses, and local officials recommended that other churches also consider not holding services at this time because of the risk of transmission.
The Unified Government has issued a state of emergency, and last night issued an order to close bars, restaurants, casinos and movie theaters to sit-down dining, while still allowing restaurants to provide carryout food. He said community leaders have been helping in making the decisions.
The order also prohibited all gatherings of more than 10 people through April 1.
Mayor Alvey said today that the UG Commission would meet in a special session at 5 p.m. March 19 to request a formal declaration of emergency for another 60 days. The meeting will be shown on the UG’s cable television channel.
He reminded residents to keep social distancing, spacing themselves at least six feet from other people. Other practices such as good handwashing and staying home if you’re sick were mentioned by Dr. Greiner.
“March 17 is one of my favorite days, St. Pat’s at Breit’s on 5th Street,” Mayor Alvey said. “You know you can’t even get six feet away from anything.”
He said he is trying to prevent gatherings where people are close together.
Mayor Alvey said this is a fluid situation, and that they should look at the experience that was already seen in Italy, and in the states of Washington and California.
“Let’s not wait for ours to spike,” he said. “Let’s institute ours now.”
He also encouraged residents to reach out and talk to their neighbors.
For more information from this video, visit https://www.facebook.com/cityofkck/videos/744428939296898/?epa=SEARCH_BOX.
The governor’s news release is at https://governor.kansas.gov/governor-kelly-announces-proactive-measures-to-mitigate-spread-of-covid-19-pandemic-in-kansas/.
KDHE has a website for more information on COVID-19, at https://govstatus.egov.com/coronavirus
The CDC also has a COVID-19 website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/.
The Unified Government has a COVID-19 website at Wycokck.org/COVID-19.