The University of Kansas Health System is vaccinating its patients, and one of the persons touring the vaccination clinic on Friday was U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas.
“I came to see what I can do to help at a federal level with getting the vaccine into the arms of more Kansans,” Sen. Moran said as he walked through the clinic space on the sixth floor of the Medical Pavilion that is now the designated COVID-19 vaccine clinic.
Phase 2 of the Kansas Vaccination Phases by Population is now underway, which includes persons aged 65 and older. The health system is working through the process of vaccinating its patients in that category in the new clinic on the Kansas City, Kansas, campus. In addition, health system leaders anticipate opening a second vaccine clinic at the Indian Creek Campus in the 10730 Nall Ave. building in Johnson County. Each clinic will be able to vaccinate up to 5,000 patients a week, depending on the amount of vaccine received.
Only KU health system patients aged 65 and older who have been seen in the last three years will be invited to schedule vaccinations at the clinic at this time, and invitations are being sent based on the supply of vaccine. People who are not currently patients of the health system may visit kansashealthsystem.com/COVIDVaccineForm and complete a form with details including name, age, address and email address. Based on the provided details, those eligible for vaccination under the current Kansas distribution plan will be notified as vaccine becomes available.
Sen. Moran talked with people getting their vaccinations Friday, who told of their joy and what it meant to their lives. One woman told him she’ll be able to hold her grandkids again, while still wearing a mask.
Sen. Moran said he wanted to learn what he could do to get more doses of the vaccine to Kansas. Even though the state gets the same percentage of the vaccine as the rest of the country, based on population, it’s not enough, he said. It is important for a high percentage of the population to get the vaccine in order to fight COVID-19, and it’s important that everyone keep wearing masks, socially distance and do the things that make their lives safer.
He also thanked health care workers.
“If you need another reason to get vaccinated, think about the people who come to work every day at the clinic and the hospital to try to save lives,” Sen. Moran said. “We need to reduce the burden that’s being created. A vaccine will help do that, and make everybody’s life safe.”
COVID-19 case numbers
Wyandotte County reported an increase of 70 COVID-19 cases on Saturday, Jan. 23, according to the Unified Government’s COVID-19 webpage. There were a cumulative 16,508 cases. There was a cumulative total of 220 deaths, no change since Friday.
The Mid-America Regional Council’s COVID-19 dashboard reported 142,865 cumulative COVID-19 cases on Saturday. There were 1,742 cumulative deaths, and 131 was the daily average of new hospitalizations.
The state of Kansas reported 266,653 COVID-19 cases statewide on Friday, an increase of 3,241 cases since Wednesday, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. There were an additional 23 deaths reported, with a cumulative total of 3,598.
The Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 dashboard on Saturday night reported 24,991,748 total cumulative cases in the United States, with 417,399 total deaths nationwide.
Free COVID-19 testing available Monday
COVID-19 tests will be available Monday, Jan. 25, at the Pierson Community Center parking lot, 1800 S. 55th St., Kansas City, Kansas. Hours are subject to change depending on the weather and other factors. These tests are through WellHealth Management. For more information and to schedule a test, visit www.GoGetTested.com/Kansas.
The Unified Government Health Department’s COVID-19 test site at the former Kmart building at 78th and State will be open on Monday, Jan. 25, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The UG Health Department recently added flu testing to the COVID-19 test at the Kmart building. Only one swab is used for the two tests. The Health Department estimates a two- to three-day wait for COVID-19 results. For the flu, the department only contacts people if it is positive.
Tests from the Health Department are free for those who live or work in Wyandotte County. The tests are nasopharyngeal swab tests. The Health Department no longer uses saliva tests.
The tests 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.
Wyandotte County residents who are interested in getting a COVID-19 vaccine may fill out a survey form at the UG Health Department at https://us.openforms.com/Form/2f2bcc68-3b6a-450b-9007-d39819db6572. Residents will be contacted to make an appointment when vaccine becomes available.
Testing sites are at 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.
The new health order on hours for bars and restaurants is at https://alpha.wycokck.org/files/assets/public/health/documents/localhealthofficerorder011221.pdf.
Information about the new health order on extended hours for bars and restaurants is at https://alpha.wycokck.org/files/assets/public/health/documents/covid/01112021ugissuesnewbarrestaurantorder.pdf.
The school health order is online at https://alpha.wycokck.org/files/assets/public/health/documents/covid/localhealthofficerschoolorder01042021.pdf.
A letter explaining the school health order is online at https://alpha.wycokck.org/files/assets/public/health/documents/covid/schoolletter_01052021_english.pdf.
To see information about the UG giving vaccines to health care workers, visit https://wyandotteonline.com/ug-to-start-giving-covid-19-vaccines-to-health-department-and-ems-personnel-next-week/.
The KDHE vaccine report is at https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/DocumentCenter/View/123/Vaccine-Historical-Document-12121?bidId=
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].
Wyandotte County is under a mandatory mask and social distancing order.
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.
I’m a KU health care Kansas patient over 70 with a secondary high risk issue and am wondering if I can sign up for the Covid 19 vaccine rather than wait for an invitation.
I am current patient in the Kansas Hospital acute rehab facility located at 3910 Rainbow Boulevard. How can I get a covid vaccine as soon as possible. I am a 78 year old male being treated for a hip injury. My health is in jeopardy because I also have cardiac and kidney issues.
I am 75 and have heart problems and diabetes. How do I get a shot.
Are you on My Chart?
I’m a current KU Med patient with COPD, in my mid 70’s. What are my odds of getting vaccinated fairly soon?