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Kansas: Covid-19 cases - 46,002 cases; 481 deaths

COVID-19: Cases rise as Kansas City counties continue 'stay-at-home' orders

KANSAS CITY, Mo. —
Many people in the Kansas City area are adjusting to a new normal as “stay-at-home” orders have been issued to help combat the spread of COVID-19.

Thursday saw confirmed cases in Missouri grew above 550, meanwhile, Kansas reached the 168 marker.

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Experts hope the stay-at-home orders will help slow the spread of the coronavirus, but understand as access to testing grows, so will the number of positive cases.

FRIDAY UPDATES
4:30 p.m. -- Dr. Lee Norman, Kansas' health secretary, said at a news briefing Friday that data suggests the state's coronavirus spread will peak in mid- to late April and he forecast that Kansas could record at least 900 cases.

Norman acknowledged that the forecast supposes that people in the state will follow health officials' advice to stay home as much as possible. He said he was concerned that many still don't seem to be taking the pandemic seriously.

If the data is accurate, Norman is optimistic the state's health care system will have the capacity to treat all the patients without resorting to commandeering hotels or building temporary facilities, as some other states have done.

The state's testing laboratory is getting new equipment that will help increase testing from the current 175 tests per day to as many as 1,000 per day. Private labs in Kansas also are increasing the number of tests they are running, which helps the state's response to the virus, he said.

4 p.m. -- The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has added Louisiana and Colorado to its quarantine list. Before the KDHE's move Friday, only certain counties in Colorado were included. The KDHE said the quarantine is in effect for people returning March 27 and moving forward.

3:15 p.m. -- The Unified Government Health Department said Wyandotte County's totals have climbed to 46 confirmed cases of COVID-19. The county also said there are 37 probable cases that have yet to be confirmed and 19 patients are hospitalized.

KMBC TV (Kansas City area) - https://bit.ly/3bsZ1l9
 
Douglas County COVID-19 cases increase to 18

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Kan. (KSNT) – Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health announced there are now 18 coronavirus cases in the county.

Fourteen of those cases are travel-related and two cases involved local transmission.

Health officials gave the following the age ranges for the patients:
  • One patient between 10-19 years old
  • 6 patients in their 20s
  • 4 patients in their 30s
  • 3 patients in their 40s
  • 2 patients in their 50s
  • 1 patient in their 60s
  • 1 patient in their 70s
Eleven of the patients are men and seven are women, according to LDCPH.

These people are ordered to isolate themselves for a minimum of seven days and if symptoms persist, continue isolating until they’re fever-free for three days.

KSNT TV (Topeka, KS)
 
Kansas coronavirus death toll rises to 4, with 202 cases - KU Med treating 18

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas health officials reported more than 200 confirmed coronavirus cases and a fourth death Friday, and the state's health director said he doesn't expect the spread of the virus to peak until mid- to late April.

All four of the state's deaths occurred in the Kansas City area, with the latest a man in his 80s with underlying health conditions who died Thursday, health officials said.

The state reported at least 202 confirmed cases of the virus, an increase of 34 from Thursday.

WHEN WILL THE VIRUS PEAK?

Dr. Lee Norman, the state's health secretary, said at a news briefing Friday that data suggests the state's coronavirus spread will peak in mid- to late April and he forecast that Kansas could record at least 900 cases.

Norman acknowledged that the forecast supposes that people in the state will follow health officials' advice to stay home as much as possible. He said he was concerned that many still don't seem to be taking the pandemic seriously.

If the data is accurate, Norman is optimistic the state's health care system will have the capacity to treat all the patients without resorting to commandeering hotels or building temporary facilities, as some other states have done.

The state's testing laboratory is getting new equipment that will help increase testing from the current 175 tests per day to as many as 1,000 per day. Private labs in Kansas also are increasing the number of tests they are running, which helps the state's response to the virus, he said.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, or death.

Coronavirus-related developments in Kansas:

UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS HEALTH SYSTEM

The University of Kansas Health System says it is caring for 18 COVID-19 patients.

Hospital officials said in a news briefing Friday that two more people were admitted with the virus on Thursday. Ten of the 18 are in the intensive care unit and six are on ventilators. The other patients are in a unit dedicated to COVID-19 patients

FORT RILEY SOLDIER ILL

Fort Riley in Manhattan is reporting its first confirmed case of the coronavirus. Riley County and fort officials announced Thursday that the soldier who tested positive does not require hospitalization and is in isolation at his home in Manhattan.

The soldier is believed to have contracted the COVID-19 virus while traveling out of state but officials haven't said where he went.

Fort Riley requires a 14-day quarantine for service members who have traveled outside the region, have been in close contact with confirmed cases and those being tested.

KANSAS STATE GRADUATION CHANGES

Kansas State University says students whose spring graduation ceremony has been canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic will be honored during the fall 2020 commencement in December.

Kansas State has moved to remote classes for the rest of the semester, as have most other universities and colleges in the state.


KCTV5 (Kansas City area) - https://bit.ly/33X36vh
 
Wichita State donates PPE to first responders, medical community

Wichita State President Jay Golden put out a call to action last week for the WSU community to donate personal protective equipment (PPE) to first responders and health providers.

PPE includes N-95 respirator masks, surgical masks, Latex gloves, surgical gowns and protective face shields.

Golden said the initiative began after a series of donation requests were sent to the university.

“Initially, I received a request from one of the CEOs of one of the hospitals asking if Wichita State and WSUTech had anything they could help provide to the hospitals [as] they prepare for . . . a larger number of cases,” Golden said. “At the same time, local emergency responders reached out similarly with a request.”

Golden said there is a high number of first responders who remain without protection. He said he hopes this initiative can help make a difference.

“We have first responders that don’t have . . . any personal protection, including specifically the N-95 respirators,” Golden said. “Being a former first responder myself, I wanted to make sure those who are . . . protecting us are protecting themselves.”

Golden said the initiative has had a great community response so far.

“Both people and companies [have responded],” Golden said. “Textron made a very large donation of protective equipment.”

Textron made a donation of 1,500 N-95 masks on Wednesday, according to the county government.

Golden said that not only has WSU received donations from companies located on campus, but they have also seen individual community members step up to help.

“From major companies like that . . . to individuals who have actually taken the time to hand sew masks for first responders and health care providers,” Golden said. “It’s the full gambit of people in the community that have really come prepared and responded to the call for action.

“It’s humbling to see.”

Due to the volume of donations, WSU was able to deliver a N-95 respirator for every Wichita police officer and every firefighter in the city on Wednesday.

“That gives me great comfort knowing that every one of our first responders will have a personal protective respirator,” Golden said.

They have also provided thousands of gloves and additional respirators to Via Christi and Wesley hospitals.

“We’ve really helped to stock up their supplies,” Golden said.

Golden served as a first responder for seven years. He said that makes this initiative personal for him.

“It’s very close to my heart,” Golden said. “I know what the day-to-day stress is, let alone having this additional responsibility laid on them.”

As the community finds its way through challenging times, Golden assured Wichitans that they’re in good hands.

The Sunflower (Wichita State University, Wichita, KS) - https://bit.ly/2Jl3YAl
 
Geary County to enact Stay-at-Home order starting at midnight

UNCTION CITY, Kan. (WIBW) -- The Geary County Health Officer announced that they are issuing a Stay-at-Home order starting at midnight.

The announcement was made at 3:00pm Friday.

The say they will follow the guidelines set by Governor Laura Kelly’s office.

WIBW TV (Topeka, KS) - https://bit.ly/2xsPGLl

Press conference broadcast live on Facebook by KSNT around 3 pm
 
Shawnee County Press Conference

March 27, 2020

Broadcast live by KSNT (and WIBW) on Facebook

Governor doing news conference at 11 am on Saturday

Rhonda Oaks - Shawnee County Health Department
7 positive cases
31 pending tests
124 monitoring
dashboard will have gender / age

KDHE new travel advisories: Louisiana / Colorado after March - self quarantine 14 days

Getting medical supplies in - will get them out to medical partners


Topeka Utilities
Braxton Coply - deputy director utilities for Topeka
utilities still performing all significant functions
suspended shutoffs for non payment of water

Don't flush disposable wipes / paper towels / napkins -- will clog sewer systems
only thing in toilet is toilet paper

Dr Pacino
7 cases
so many all at once - reflects push a couple of weeks ago to do more testing / private labs coming on line
case in critical condition who visited church in Kansas City
elderly - 68 and older - stay home
these are not cases these are people - real human suffereing behind numbers
young man - felt sick decided not to go to work / got tested -- lesson: young people can get sick
20% of hospitalized in New York state are young adults
traveler who came back from UK - in quarantine while developing symptoms
Today - 1st case from health care sector - points to risk that people who work in health care are taking every day
Elderly man - several underlying conditions - could barely leave house - no travel but became infected - appears to be community transmission

Shelter in Place Order
notified a couple of places of businesses to close
most people are complying
concerned about crowd control at large grocery stores - only one way to access / manned / count people coming in & leaving and set limit / Wipe cart / check out lanes - safe distance
ordinance says - all stay home - period - can leave to perform essential activities: health care, food, supplies, work in business that supports essential activities, outdoor activities as family group but not with others - question to ask: Am I leaving house to perform essential activity?
Golfing - golf courses closed because of concerns about safety / will remain closed for a little bit longer / working on models that can be used to re-open golf courses

What's ahead - still concerned about nursing homes


right now doing ok - if just look at numbers - numbers of beds / numbers of ventilators
what happens if number of cases goes up and how much can our system absorb
projection: if had done nothing - would exceed
Washington University, St. Louis projection came out today - if we keep good social distancing in place, Kansas might not fare badly

to lift measures
satisfied that health care system can handle number of cases
good capacity to test people, promptly contact trace and quarantine - if can't do this then can't lift stay at home measures
when life measures -- will be gradual

Next few days: website for self reporting symptoms


Mayor
working with faith community to try and figure out solutions for ways to connect priests / pastors with congregations / upcoming Easter events
conversation today - how many morgue spaces available - have 40
stormont vail 47 neg pressure rooms adding 16 / ventilators
if 20% of county gets ill that would be 35,000 people getting sick in the county - are not going to be able to take care of everyone
administrative team going virtual tomorrow
this isn't about politics / this about lives
we are doing everything we can to save lives together
Lawrence - police office positive / Salina - medical worker positive

questions:

What are thoughts regarding state-wide coordinated response
already a level of coordination
at point where local activities can only go so far - concern about rest of state that does not have stay at home orders - counties are connected
reasons for no state-wide - no cases
In small counties - local officials don't have resources, knowledge to make these decisions
when cases happen in rural counties - they will seek medical care in larger cities and we are at the point where those medical facilities cannot handle these cases

loss of smell / taste -- those are reported symptoms - no scientific study / but learning as going
shortness of breath -- comes suddenly in some cases - info from case reports
virus can be transmitted before feeling sick

press conferences - Fridays at 5 pm

broadcast live on Facebook by WIBW and KSNT

Both stations will post video and have stories sometime this evening
 
Kansas tops 200 cases of coronavirus COVID-19; Sedgwick County now ‘community spread’

In daily reports, KDHE listed 202 cases. Sedgwick County reported that 21 positive test results have been gathered from its residents.

The county also announced Friday that Sedgwick County has officially reached the point of “community spread,” meaning the COVID-19 disease caused by the coronavirus is primarily being passed from resident to resident.

The Wichita Eagle (Wichita, KS) - https://bit.ly/3btEtZJ
 
CORONAVIRUS: Coffey County positive cases now at 5

Following the announcement of its first confirmed COVID-19 case Thursday evening, Coffey County has confirmed four more positive cases Friday.

According to a news release from the Coffey County Health Department, the new cases include a 90-year-old female, a 71-year-old male, 88-year-old-female and a 75-year-old male. The health department stated it has identified a common link amongst all of the positive individuals, however, it is not releasing further information on that subject.

All individuals are currently in isolation in accordance with guidelines from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The Coffey County Health Department will be working to identify and inform any residents who may have had recent "close contact" with the infected individuals and conduct testing for COVID-19.

KVOE (Emporia, KS) - https://bit.ly/3btHJUX
 
Lawrence police officer tests positive for coronavirus

The Lawrence Police department has been notified that one of its officers has tested positive for COVID- 19. This is the first positive case in the department.

The affected officer first experienced symptoms on late Tuesday evening, and immediately took steps to limit exposure to other persons, per recommendations from the CDC and Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health. The officer was not on duty at the time they began experiencing symptoms, and has not been on duty since Monday. The officer is experiencing mild symptoms, and is not requiring hospitalization.

WIBW TV (Topeka, KS) - https://bit.ly/2QRQwIl
 
One more confirmed COVID-19 case announced

One more confirmed case of the coronavirus was reported Friday in Leavenworth County.

This brings the total number of confirmed cases of the disease known as COVID-19 in the county to 13, according to a daily update released by the Leavenworth County Health Department.

The newly confirmed case on Friday comes after no new cases were reported Thursday.

As of 4 p.m. Friday, a total of 173 people in Leavenworth County have been tested for COVID-19. Of those, 149 tested negative for the disease. Thirteen people have tested positive for the disease. Test results are pending for 11 people.

Leavenworth Times (Leavenworth, KS) - https://bit.ly/33OC3Cr
 
Fort Leavenworth soldier tests positive for COVID-19

Fort Leavenworth officials announced Friday that a soldier assigned to the Army installation has tested positive for the coronavirus.

Fort Leavenworth hosts foreign military personnel, but a news release indicates the soldier who tested positive is a member of the U.S. military.

The soldier was following recommendations for isolation in his or her hometown following overseas travel when the soldier developed symptoms. The soldier sought treatment and was confirmed to have COVID-19, according to a news release from Fort Leavenworth.

The soldier remains in isolation.

Leavenworth Times (Leavenworth, KS) - https://bit.ly/2WQxsy2
 
Wichita couple quarantined after possible COVID-19 exposure at doctor’s office

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)- A Wichita couple is now at home for 14 days after they were told to quarantine because of possible coronavirus exposure during a doctor’s appointment.

Monty Rush had surgery on his leg at the beginning of March and went in for a routine checkup with his surgeon.

“We went to have the sutures looked at,” said Beth Rush, Monty’s wife. “While we were there, the surgeon looked at it and said it looked good.”

A few days later, the couple received and unexpected call from the surgeon’s nurse.

“They said that we needed to take the steps and that we needed to do self-quarantine for the next 14 days,” said Beth.

Officials at the surgeon’s office tell KSN that a family member of an employee was told to self-quarantine after experiencing symptoms of coronavirus. The patient will not be tested, but officials at the surgery clinic said any employee or patient who was near the area that day has been told to quarantine out of precaution. No patients or employees have tested positive for COVID-19.

KSN.com (Wichita, KS) - https://bit.ly/33RmhGM
 
Kansas Governor issues stay at home order

Governor's Press Conference
March 28, 2020
11 am

broadcast live on Facebook by KSNT

cases could reach 900 in next week
cases everywhere -- not just KC area

adding Kansas to list of 22 other state - temporary stay at home order

take affect 12:01 Monday March 30 - Sunday April 19, 2020


Broadcast live by KSNT and WIBW on Facebook

Both TV stations will post stories and videos later today
 
Rooks County issues 30-day stay-at-home order

On Friday, Rooks County joined the list of counties in Kansas that has issued a stay at home order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The order goes into effect at 1 p.m. Saturday, will last 30 days and restricts residents to essential activities.

Hays Post (Hays, KS) - https://bit.ly/2vVHx1H
 
Stevens County, Kan. Announces First COVID-19 Case

Another western Kansas county is reporting its first case of COVID-19. The Stevens County Health Department reported its first case today, involving a man who traveled to an area outside of Stevens County with a high incidence of COVID-19 transmission.

High Plains Public Radio - https://bit.ly/3as174H
 
18 identified cases of COVID-19 reported in Douglas County, including more local transmission

Local health officials announced Friday that 18 Douglas County residents have now tested positive for COVID-19, including another who likely contracted the disease locally.

Of the 18 cases in the county, 14 involved people who traveled out of state or country and two involved people who likely contracted the disease locally, Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health said in a news release. The cause of transmission in two other cases had not been determined as of Friday afternoon.

The 18 cases identified in Douglas County have involved one person in their late teens, six people in their 20s, four people in their 30s, three people in their 40s, two people in their 50s, one person in their 60s and one person in their 70s, the health department said Friday afternoon.

Lawrence Journal World (Lawrence, KS) - https://bit.ly/2QRHV8C
 
Franklin County announces four more coronavirus cases

The Franklin County Public Health Department identified four more positive cases of COVID-19, the department announced Friday evening, bringing the county’s total to six.

“The Health Department is diligently working to investigate each case,” department officials said. “Anyone that is thought to have come in close contact with a postitive case is contacted by the Health Department and provided with instructions to follow to prevent further spead of the virus.”

Ottawa Herald (Ottawa, KS) - https://bit.ly/33ShYef
 
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