Unfortunately, COVID-19 did not take a week off for the election, Gov. Laura Kelly said at a news conference on Wednesday.
The governor reported that since Monday, Kansas has experienced 2,988 additional COVID-19 cases and 41 new deaths. There was a cumulative total of 92,215 cases and 1,087 deaths statewide, she said.
It was an unfortunate week for COVID-19 spread, she said. Monday set a new seven-day rolling average record in the state.
Some rural area hospitals have begun to reach capacity. One hospital in the southwest part of the state learned that the closest intensive care bed was in Kansas City, she said. Wichita’s two hospitals had no ICU beds available after a significant increase in patients.
Gov. Kelly said her staff is in ongoing conversations with legislative leaders to work with community leaders to increase mask usage in the state.
She added the Republican leadership has asked for a public service campaign, which she supports wholeheartedly. She also supports a mask mandate, she added.
There is no timetable for a new mask mandate, she said, and negotiations take time.
Gov. Kelly said Kansas must flatten the curve and protect the elderly and vulnerable. The state needs to reduce the spread of COVID-19 to keep businesses and schools open.
“We know how to mitigate the spread,” Gov. Kelly said. “Wear a mask, physically distance, avoid large gatherings and practice hygiene.”
Funds available for Kansans who need rental assistance
Also, Gov. Kelly said funds are still available for Kansas residents in the Kansas Eviction Prevention Program. The fund has up to $5,000 available for individuals who are experiencing housing hardship because of COVID-19. The funds are from the federal CARES Act.
Renters and landlords need to apply together, she said. Up to nine months’ assistance, not to exceed $5,000, is available per application, for those who qualify.
Application forms are online at kshousingcorp.org.
In Wyandotte County, there were an additional 54 COVID-19 cases reported on Wednesday, with a cumulative total of 8,562. No additional deaths were reported, for a cumulative 165.
BPU tracking COVID-19 closely
The Board of Public Utilities reported at Wednesday night’s meeting that there were currently three positive COVID-19 cases among employees, and 13 employees in quarantine, according to BPU officials.
Officials are reminding their employees that COVID-19 case numbers in the metropolitan area are increasing, and everyone should practice good safety habits, according to an official. They are tracking COVID-19 closely, he said.
Ellsworth correctional resident dies
A second resident of Ellsworth Correctional Facility with COVID-19 has died, according to an announcement by the Kansas Department of Corrections.
The resident, who died Nov. 2, was moved Oct. 28 to the Lansing Correctional Facility COVID-19 Management Unit after testing positive for the virus. He was taken to a hospital on Oct. 29.
The 76-year-old male had underlying medical concerns that contributed to his condition, according to the announcement. He was serving a 176-month sentence for two counts of aggravated indecent solicitation of a child and aggravated endangerment of a child, according to KDOC.
South Dakota added to Kansas’ travel quarantine list
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has added South Dakota to the list of those who must quarantine.
Those who have traveled to South Dakota, as well as the countries of Belgium and Czechia beginning Nov. 4 will be required to quarantine for 14 days, according to an announcement. Also on the list are North Dakota and the country of Andorra.
In addition, anyone who attended out-of-state mass gatherings with 500 or more where individuals do not socially distance and wear masks must quarantine for 14 days.
North Dakota has a two-week case rate 3.6 times higher than Kansas, while South Dakota’s rate is 3.2 times that of Kansas, according to KDHE.
A comprehensive list of those individuals needing to quarantine for 14 days includes visitors and Kansans who have:
• Travel to or from South Dakota on or after Nov. 4.
• Travel to or from Belgium and Czechia on or after Nov. 4.
• Travel to or from North Dakota on or after Oct. 21.
• Travel to or from the country of Andorra on or after Oct. 21.
• Attendance at any out-of-state mass gatherings of 500 or more where individuals do not socially distance (6 feet) and wear a mask.
• Been on a cruise ship or river cruise on or after March 15.
Travel quarantines do not prohibit travel through Kansas. People from these locations may still travel through Kansas. If this is done, KDHE recommends limited stops, wearing a mask at rest stops or when getting gas and being 6 feet from others when doing so. If the destination is Kansas, they would be required to quarantine upon arrival to their destination.
Mass gatherings are defined as any event or convening that brings together 500 or more persons in a single room or space at the same time such as an auditorium, stadium, arena, large conference room, meeting hall, theater or any other confined indoor or outdoor space. This includes parades, fairs and festivals. Mass gatherings does not include normal operations of airports, bus and train stations, medical facilities, libraries, shopping malls and centers, or other spaces where 500 or more persons may be in transit. It also does not include typical office environments, schools, restaurants, factories or retail/grocery stores where large numbers of people are present, but it is unusual for them to be within 6 feet of one another for more than 10 minutes.
Critical infrastructure sector employees who have traveled to these destinations should contact their local health department regarding instructions for application of these quarantine orders while working. Critical infrastructure employees, such as public health, law enforcement, food supply, need to have the staffing resources to continue serving Kansans so the local health department may allow a modified quarantine. The only exemption for these quarantine mandates for critical infrastructure sector employees is work – they are not to go any other locations outside of work.
Free COVID-19 testing available Thursday
A free COVID-19 pop-up test will continue from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, at Vibrant Health Argentine location, 1428 S. 32nd St., Kansas City, Kansas.
The pop-up test is through Vibrant Health and the Wyandotte County Health Equity Task Force.
The Unified Government Health Department has moved its COVID-19 testing from the 6th and Ann location to the former Kmart at 78th and State Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas. The hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Tests are free for those who live or work in Wyandotte County. The tests are now saliva COVID-19 tests.
The tests now 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 because of the weather or for other reasons. Bring something that shows that you live or work in Wyandotte County, such as a utility bill.
For more information about the new testing site at the former Kmart location, visit https://alpha.wycokck.org/files/assets/public/health/documents/covid/10092020_newtestingsitewyco.pdf.
Gov. Kelly’s news conference is online at https://www.facebook.com/GovLauraKelly/videos/2690697114578564.
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 CDC’s COVID-19 webpage is at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html.