More COVID-19 testing will open soon in Wyandotte County, according to Dr. Allen Greiner, chief medical officer.
Dr. Greiner talked about the additional testing in an internet presentation with U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-3rd Dist., at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 1. Wyandotte County currently has more than 100 positive COVID-19 cases.
The Unified Government Health Department’s website at www.wycokck.org/COVID-19 has information and a self-reporting tool.
There is already testing for COVID-19 going on at the Sharon Lee Family Health Care at 340 Southwest Blvd., Kansas City, Kansas, (the former Southwest Boulevard Family Health Care), Dr. Greiner said. The requirements for testing are not as strict as they were formerly, he said. People may call 913-396-7070 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. or visit http://www.swbfhc.org/ for more information.
Dr. Greiner said during the program with Rep. Davids that there are plans for an additional drive-through site on Friday in Wyandotte County.
Also, he said that St. Luke’s Health System is doing some testing for COVID-19 at some of its sites. St. Luke’s has announced its testing has been expanded to all first responders within the region who meet testing criteria. Those being tested have to have one or more of the symptoms, and need a referral. For more information, visit https://www.saintlukeskc.org/about/news/saint-lukes-news-saint-lukes-expands-covid-19-drive-through-testing-all-first-responders.
Dr. Greiner said the Johnson County Health Department also is looking at additional places for COVID-19 testing soon. This effort was approved recently through the Johnson County Commission, and the county is looking at sites.
Dr. Greiner encouraged Wyandotte County residents to visit the UG’s COVID-19 website at www.wycokck.org/COVID-19 or https://alpha.wycokck.org/Coronavirus-COVID-19-Information. If they have symptoms, Wyandotte County residents can fill out a self-tracking form and a medical professional from the Health Department will get back to them with advice on what they should do. Those who are sick also may call their primary care doctor or their health clinic.
Rep. Davids encouraged residents to visit her COVID-19 website page at davids.house.gov/coronavirus, which has information and links about COVID-19, information about economic relief, unemployment benefits, stimulus funding programs including programs for small businesses, and other topics.
During the program, Rep. Davids also fielded questions about the small business relief that is in the financial stimulus package.
On Thursday she released a statement calling on the Small Business Administration and Treasury Department to make sure small businesses receive relief quickly and efficiently. About $20 million was allocated to SBA for small business disaster loans.
“Small businesses across the country, especially in the Kansas Third District, are suffering from the necessary public health measures put in place to combat the coronavirus outbreak. The CARES Act provides desperately needed resources for affected small businesses, which must be implemented immediately and without government red tape. Failing to do so will have enormous consequences,” Rep. Davids stated.
Several other topics were included in the Wednesday night presentation, including information about benefits, and health topics such as whether to wear a mask. To view the video of the Wednesday program, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6N-kYmYItY0.