The death toll has risen to 24 at the Riverbend Post-Acute Rehabilitation facility at 78th and Freeman in Kansas City, Kansas, according to information posted on the Unified Government Health Department social media site.
The number of deaths was more than half the Wyandotte County total of 44 as of late Monday, according to UG Health Department figures.
According to the Health Department update, 92 residents tested positive, 24 staff tested positive, and eight residents were in the hospital.
“In response to Riverbend and the other nursing home outbreaks across the country, we are forming a local Long Term Care Facility Task Force,” the UG Health Department stated on social media. “Additionally, we are working with area partners to draft new guidelines for long-term care facilities.”
The Health Department today started additional testing at a parking lot at 8th and Vermont in Kansas City, Kansas, according to a UG Health Department spokesman.
This first pop-up testing site was done in partnership with All Saints Parish, Vibrant Health, and the recently formed Health Equity Task Force. The Health Equity Task Force is currently determining future locations and times for pop-up sites to best meet community testing needs, a spokesman stated.
Also, testing continues at the UG Health Department parking lot at 619 Ann Ave., where testing was expanded from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Testing at the Health Department is drive-up or walk-up now, with no appointment required. Those who can be tested are Wyandotte County residents who have experienced COVID-19 symptoms in the last 48 hours, according to the spokesman.
Those who prefer to set up an appointment for the Health Department testing may call 3-1-1 or report their symptoms at www.wycokck.org/COVID-19, and someone from the Health Department will follow up with them about a testing appointment, the spokesman stated.
The spokesman stated that the case numbers are changing rapidly in Wyandotte County because of the spread of COVID-19 and also because of more testing here.