Positive COVID-19 cases increased on Wednesday in Wyandotte County, according to the Unified Government COVID-19 website.
The website reported 1,977 total cumulative positive COVID-19 cases at 4 p.m. Wednesday, as compared to 1,899 cases as of 1 p.m. Tuesday. The number of total deaths, 78, was the same as Tuesday.
According to the UG Health Department, the percentage of people who tested positive is 15.3 percent. In all, there were 12,825 people tested in Wyandotte County.
The state of Kansas reported 12,970 cases on Wednesday, with 261 deaths, according to information from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. It was an increase of 505 cases, with an increase of three deaths. Ninety-four counties have reported positive cases, an increase of two counties since Monday.
Wyandotte County is in Phase 3 of the state’s Ad Astra Plan, with the local Health Department offering guidelines to complement the state’s plan.
On Monday, the UG Health Department, with local educators, announced education reopening guidelines for Wyandotte County.
The Health Department also developed a long-term care reopening plan for Wyandotte County, with guidelines for facilities, according to a spokesman. To reopen, facilties must submit a plan to the Health Department for approval.
According to a spokesman, the Health Department soon will offer guidelines for churches to keep people as safe as possible.
Also, the Health Department spokesman stated that the WIC program’s remote services have been extended through July 31. The USDA has approved waiver extensions, including a physical presence waiver, allowing all WIC services to be provided by phone. The services are available for new and existing clients at 913-573-6720.
KU doctors discuss need to continue health practices
According to Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of infection prevention and control at the University of Kansas Health System, the number of COVID-19 patients at KU Health System on Wednesday morning was 23, down one from Tuesday. There were seven in the intensive care unit and six on ventilators. There were several discharges and admissions on Tuesday, according to Dr. Hawkinson. The hospital has had 19 to 22 COVID-19 patients for about 10 days, and before that, it was nine to 10. At its height, the hospital had numbers in the 40s.
Dr. Hawkinson said everyone is susceptible to this virus. He said everyone needs to continue to observe health measures. The precautions include hand-washing, wearing masks, staying 6 feet away from others, staying home when they are sick and not touching their faces.
He said that the positivity percentage rate has increased from where it was two to three months ago, and that means COVID-19 is spreading. National experts have said they are seeing a surge, probably from Memorial Day gatherings. Dr. Hawkinson said people tend to seek treatment seven to 10 days after symptoms start. An inflammatory response to the virus could occur later.
KU Health System is the host of a Community Blood Center Blood Drive from Wednesday through Friday. According to CBC officials, they are under a three-day blood supply and urgently need donations. Usually there is a seven-day blood supply. Many procedures are in place to make donations safe, and donors and health care workers will be wearing masks.
The blood drive is from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for those three days in the Health Education Building. For more information on blood donations, see esavealifenow.org.
Pop-up testing sites planned
Several pop-up testing sites in Wyandotte County are sponsored by the Health Equity Task Force, according to the UG Health Department. There is no charge for tests. The sites include:
- Thursday, June 25, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Quindaro Community Center, 2726 Brown Ave., Kansas City, Kansas.
- Thursday, June 25, from 2 a.m. to 5 p.m., Whitmore Park, 1412 Southwest Blvd., Kansas City, Kansas.
- Monday, June 29, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Oak Ridge Baptist Church, 9301 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas.
- Tuesday, June 30, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1086 N. 94th St., Kansas City, Kansas.
For more information, visit wycokck.org/COVID-19 or call 3-1-1.
During July, working with partners, there will be some testing events for people experiencing homelessness, the Health Department stated.
According to a Health Department spokesman, the task force has formed a subcommittee to focus on COVID-19 related research.
Also, according to a Health Department spokesman, contact tracers are being hired for a 12-month period. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in a related field and live in Wyandotte County.
To see the KU doctors’ news conference, visit https://www.facebook.com/kuhospital/videos/569833023961117/
COVID-19 test sites in Wyandotte County are listed at https://wyandotte-county-covid-19-hub-unifiedgov.hub.arcgis.com/pages/what-to-do-if-you-think-you-have-covid-19
The state’s COVID-19 test page is at https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/280/COVID-19-Testing
Residents may visit the UG COVID-19 website at https://alpha.wycokck.org/Coronavirus-COVID-19-Information or call 311 for more information.
The UG’s COVID-19 information page is at https://alpha.wycokck.org/Coronavirus-COVID-19-Information.
Wyandotte County is currently under Phase 3. See covid.ks.gov.
The state plan’s frequently asked questions page is at https://covid.ks.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Reopening-FAQ_5.19.2020_Final.pdf.
The CDC’s COVID-19 web page is at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html.
