Tag: COVID-19

Kansas COVID-19 cases jump by more than 7,000 cases

Kansas reported an increase of 7,234 COVID-19 cases from Friday to Monday, for a cumulative total of 122,741, according to statistics from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

There was an increase of 10 deaths statewide, for a cumulative total of 1,266, according to KDHE statistics.

In Wyandotte County, there were 9,505 total cumulative COVID-19 cases, an increase of 65 since Sunday, according to the Unified Government’s COVID-19 webpage. There was no change in the number of deaths.

The nine-county Greater Kansas City area had an increase of 707 cases from Sunday to Monday, for a cumulative total of 71,284, according to the Mid-America Regional Council’s COVID-19 Resource Hub.

There were an average 171 new hospitalizations from COVID-19 in the nine-county Greater Kansas City area, according to the MARC Regional Hub.

The average number of COVID-19 patients in the hospital in the nine-county area was 659, up 68 from last week, according to the MARC Regional Hub. The average daily number of COVID-19 patients in the intensive care unit was 154 in the nine-county area.

The number of COVID-19 cases in the United States increased to 11,202,109 on Monday, according to Johns Hopkins University figures.

Other developments on Monday

Earlier Monday, Wyandotte County limited gatherings to 10 in the wake of a larger number of hospitalizations and cases. Also, an earlier closing time of 10 p.m. was put into place for restaurants and bars.

Similar rules were announced Monday for Jackson County, Missouri.

To see an earlier story on the new Wyandotte County restrictions, visit https://wyandotteonline.com/wyandotte-county-limits-gatherings-to-10-implements-other-restrictions/.

Also on Monday, the University of Kansas Health System reported a surge in COVID-19 patients. See story at https://wyandotteonline.com/ku-hospital-seeing-surge-in-covid-19-patients-today/.

There also was discussion of a new COVID-19 vaccine from Moderna with 94 percent effectiveness.

Counties’ case numbers

According to the KDHE’s COVID-19 summary report for Monday, counties with the most COVID-19 cumulative cases in Kansas included:
Johnson County, 21,981;
Sedgwick County (Wichita area), 21,255;
Wyandotte County, 9,964;
Shawnee County, 5,792;
Ford County, 4,225;
Douglas County, 3,712;
Reno County, 3,682;
Finney County, 3,498;
Leavenworth County, 3,208;
Butler County, 2,535;
Seward County, 2,335;
Riley County, 2,291;
Crawford County, 1,944;
Lyon County, 1,977;
Ellis County, 1,908;
Saline County, 1,697;
Harvey County, 1,373;
Barton County, 1,285;
Cowley County, 1,104.

Also on Monday, another inmate death was reported at Ellsworth Correctional Facility. The inmate died on Sunday, Nov. 15, and had tested positive for COVID-19, according to a news release from the Kansas Department of Corrections. It was the third resident death at Ellsworth, and the 10th resident death for KDOC.

The resident was moved Oct. 26 to Lansing Correctional Facility COVID-19 Management Unit after testing positive for the virus. The patient later was transported to a hospital.

The resident who died was a 68-year-old male with underlying medical concerns that contributed to his condition, according to the news release. He was serving a life sentence for first-degree murder.

Free COVID-19 testing available on Tuesday

A free COVID-19 pop-up test will continue from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, at All Saints parish, 811 Vermont Ave., 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. Bring something that shows that you live or work in Wyandotte County, such as a utility bill.

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 with a limit of 10 persons to a gathering, and a closing time of 10 p.m. for restaurants and bars, with other new restrictions, is at https://alpha.wycokck.org/files/assets/public/health/documents/covid/11162020localhealthorderexecuted.pdf.

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.

Small businesses here to receive CARES Act funding

Nearly 2,000 small businesses and organizations in Kansas will receive part of $37.5 million in Small Business Working Capital grants, according to Gov. Laura Kelly.

The recipients includes about 67 small businesses and organizations in Wyandotte County.

The grants went to small businesses and organizations that were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to an announcement.

“Throughout the pandemic, my administration has prioritized the efficient distribution of CARES Act funding to protect Kansas’ economy and ensure our businesses and schools can stay open,” Gov. Kelly said in a news release. “While I’m proud to announce that we have been able to provide relief to almost 2,000 small businesses, there are many more that still need help. Washington has been sitting on a second stimulus bill for months, it’s time to put aside the partisanship and pass this long-overdue aid for the states.”

Kansas businesses with fewer than 500 employees were eligible to apply for SBWC grant funding, made available by Gov. Kelly’s Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Taskforce through the federal CARES Act.

Grant funds can be used to pay working capital expenses such as payroll, insurance, rent, mortgage payments, utilities, inventory, and more.

“Through the CARES Act funding, we’ve enhanced our public health response, upgraded our technology infrastructure, made sure children could keep learning, helped businesses stay open and created jobs,” Julie Lorenz, executive director of the Office of Recovery, said. “There are still many unmet needs and with additional federal funding and flexibility, we could deliver more investments to serve Kansans and industries that continue to suffer from the pandemic.”

The SPARK Taskforce and the Kansas Department of Commerce will maintain the Small Business Working Capital grant program, as well as PPE Procurement and Connectivity Emergency Response Grant programs, should more federal CARES Act funding become available.

“Small businesses are the backbone of the Kansas economy, and they keep our communities strong and vibrant,” Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “We’re glad to have been able to provide critically-needed working capital to nearly 2,000 businesses, but the need for liquidity doesn’t end there. We need to have their backs. The Department of Commerce will always stand ready to assist businesses across Kansas, pandemic or not.”

The online application process for several other SPARK grant programs remain active. Details are available at www.kansascommerce.gov/covidrelief.

About 67 Wyandotte County businesses and organizations received funding, including:

• #ProjectLaing Entertainment L.L.C., $2,500;
• 3 Axis, Inc., $20,000;
• 63 Party Bus, $14,450;
• A Taste of Love – Bakery. $20,000;
• Accent Limousine LLC, $20,000;
• African Designs By Liliane and Amisi Lc, $20,000;
• Allegro Choirs of Kansas City, $50,000;
• Amy Marvel, $20,000;
• Angels of Grace Family Service Center, $20,000;
• Ap Investments of Merriam Inc., $20,000;
• Arrow Rentals kc, $20,000;
• Art’s Mexican Products, Inc., $20,000;
• B LO, $20,000;
• Bonds Advance Training Center, $20,000;
• Bonner Springs-Edwardsville Area Chamber of Commerce, $8,925;
• Borberg Pizzeria, Inc., $20,000;
• Brittney Strozier, $6,000;
• Byrd’s Dance & Gymnastics, Inc., $20,000;
• C B INC, $20,000;
• Central Area Betterment Association, $10,200;
• CJ Industries, LLC, $20,000;
• Cleaning Genies KC, $7,000;
• Club 403 Enterprises, LLC $20,000;
• D Rockey Holdings, Inc., $20,000;
• Dragnet Enterprises, $20,000;
• El Tenedor KC LLC, $20,000;
• Evolve Chef, $20,000;
• Excel Lighting, LLC $20,000;
• FRP Agency LLC, $20,000;
• Gina’s Braiding Lounge, $20,000;
• Harlan Global Manufacturing LLC, $20,000;
• Heart of America Food Services, LLC, $20,000;
• HiFLight Athletics, LLC, $10,000;
• Infusion Design, Inc,. $20,000;
• Jarocho LLC, $20,000;
• Kacie Investments LLC, $20,000;
• KC Civic Center LLC, $100,000;
• KC Hutton Road LLC, $20,000;
• KC NBSS Hotel LLC, $20,000;
• KC Presort, LLC, $20,000;
• Kristi’s Academy of Dance and PA, LLC, $18,200;
• Lynn Tape & Label, Inc., $20,000;
• MAC Water Technologies, Inc., $20,000;
• Mi-Rancho Tequila USA, Inc., $20,000;
• Miller Marketing & Distribution LLC, $20,000;
• Monica Griffin-Wright, $20,000;
• My Store III Inc., $20,000;
• Nail Envy Legends LLC, $20,000;
• Nails So Happy Legends LLC, $20,000;
• National Agricultural Hall of Fame, $20,000;
• New Image, LLC, $20,000;
• New West Presentations, Inc., $100,000;
• Nikita Thomas, $20,000;
• Regal Staffing LLC, $20,000;
• Remiez Salon, Inc., $20,000;
• S&W Sports Enterprises, LLC, $20,000;
• Shannon loomis, $10,000;
• Shree Madhava Management, Inc., $20,000;
• Skyline Salon, $20,000;
• Smallwood Lock Supply, Inc., $20,000;
• Sunflower Tow Service LLC, $20,000;
• Tan-39 Rain, LLC, $20,000;
• The learning Curve Group Inc., $20,000;
• The Mockingbird Lounge LLC, $20,000;
• ThermaRoll Leaf, Inc., $20,000;
• Tina M Medina DBA as Wise Writers and Speakers, $20,000;
• Titan Casting, $20,000;
• Valor Professional Solutions LLC, $20,000.

Wyandotte County limits gatherings to 10; implements other restrictions

Wyandotte County has limited gatherings to 10 people or fewer in the wake of increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations here.

Currently the limit on gatherings is 45 in Wyandotte County. The announcement came today at the same time as Kansas City, Missouri, also limited gatherings to 10 and implemented other restrictions. Jackson County, Missouri, coordinated with Wyandotte County in the announcement.

Under the new rules, which will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. Friday, Nov. 20, bars and restaurants will now close by 10 p.m. Everyone in bars or restaurants will be required to be seated, socially distanced and masked when they are indoors. They may remove their masks while they are eating. There are new limits on the number of occupants.

The order will remain in effect until it is changed or rescinded, according to Unified Government officials.

“With increasing COVID-19 rates in our area, and local hospitals and public health experts warning of critical shortages in staffing and rooms as a result, we must undertake additional measures now to help slow the spread in our communities,” Mayor David Alvey said in a statement. “These actions today, along with the continued usage of masks and social distancing, will hopefully allow us to avoid additional restrictions in the future. As we enter the holiday season, let us commit to one another to neither get nor give the virus.”

“Let me be clear, we are currently experiencing uncontrolled spread of COVID-19 in our communities. Due to the dramatically increasing rate of the disease in our community, our hospitals have warned that they are facing a breaking point and the care their patients desperately rely upon may soon have to be rationed, if not worse,” said Frank White, Jr., Jackson County executive, in the announcement. “Along with doctors from across the metro area, our public health professionals have urged us to implement dramatic, but targeted, changes to our public health orders in an attempt to ‘flatten the curve.’ These changes are not being made lightly, but instead were made because we have been convinced that they are necessary to protect the safety and welfare of our residents.”

Janell Friesen, a spokesman for the Unified Government Health Department, said that any gatherings of more than 10 people would need to get approval from the Health Department. Some types of public gatherings will be limited by percentage of their capacity.

According to the Health Department, unless otherwise noted in the order, the following public gatherings are restricted:

• Entertainment venues including auditoriums; arenas; banquet halls; cinemas; conference centers; concert halls; performance venues; sporting venues; stadiums; and theaters;

• Recreational facilities and places of public amusement, including gyms, fitness, and recreational centers, amusement parks; arcades; bingo halls; bowling alleys; casinos; night clubs; skating rinks; adult entertainment clubs; water parks; and trampoline parks;

• Parties, informal gatherings, lectures, meetings, parades, fairs, festivals, sporting events, and performances

According to the Health Department, the public gatherings must limit the number of individuals (staff and customers) in the facility, building or room to 50 percent of the lowest occupancy load on the certificate of occupancy of the facility, building or room (whichever is lower) in which the gathering is occurring and is only permissible:

• If adequate social distancing of six feet or more can be maintained. If such social distancing cannot be maintained due to facility layout, the occupancy limit should be further reduced to allow for proper distancing.

• Masks or face coverings must be worn at all times

• Proper personal protective equipment (such as masks and hand sanitizer) must be utilized.

The Health Department stated that restaurants, taverns, and all other such venues serving food or drink, or both, indoors, including public, private, or membership-only venues, shall limit the number of occupants to no more than 50 percent of building occupancy and shall close no later than 10 p.m.:

• Indoor patrons must be seated and masked at all times except when actively eating or drinking;

• Indoor and outdoor parties are limited to eight (8) or fewer persons; and

• Parties shall be spaced with no less than six feet of distance between themselves and individuals from any other parties.

The Health Department stated other large public gatherings of people that are prohibited:

• Large public gatherings are those with more than ten (10) people in attendance or anticipated to attend, both indoor and outdoor, except for governmental and judicial functions, healthcare facilities, private business or retail operations, religious and faith-based activities, weddings, and funerals. A “gathering” does not include normal operations at spaces where persons may be in transit or coming and going individually or in groups of less than ten (10) persons.

For all gatherings of people, health officers strongly encourage everyone to follow guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), federal, state, and local public health officials and private medical providers.

Friesen said this latest order today does not apply specifically to school classrooms, and there have recently been new recommendations put in place for schools. The previous school order was recently updated. There also were new guidelines for sports in schools.

She said the new health order will be posted on the UG’s COVID-19 website, https://alpha.wycokck.org/Coronavirus-COVID-19-Information.