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

[mcphilbrick]

Governor Kelly addresses supply shortage, healthcare capacity in Executive Orders


Governor Laura Kelly announced two executive orders Sunday in an ongoing effort to protect Kansans' health and safety during the coronavirus pandemic.

The first, Execuitve Order #20-08 temporarily expands capacity in the healthcare system in three ways:

-Allowing doctors to prescribe medication after an appropriate telemedicine consultation.
-Authorizing out-of-state doctors to provide telemedicine services to Kansans, provided they are licensed in another state.
-Permitting temporary emergency licenses for healthcare professionals regulated by the Kansas Board of Healing Arts.

The second, Executive Order #20-09, provides conditional and temporary relief from certain motor carrier rules and regulations to allow for quick and efficient delivery of resources needed to address the COVID-19 pandemic.

WIBW (Topeka) - https://bit.ly/3bni8NA

 

[mcphilbrick]

Coronavirus in Kansas update: 70 positive cases, 2 deaths

As of 3/22/20, Kansas has 68 positive cases of coronavirus, with two deaths. Here is a breakdown of where the cases are:

Bourbon County: 1

Butler County: 3

Cherokee County: 2

Douglas County: 5

Franklin County: 1

Ford County: 1 (out-of-state)

Jackson County: 2

Johnson County: 28

Leavenworth County: 4

Linn County: 1

Lyon County: 2

Miami County: 1 (out-of-state)

Mitchell County: 1

Morris County: 2

Reno County: 2

Riley County: 1

Sedgwick County: 1

Wyandotte County: 14

*The two deaths are in Wyandotte and Johnson Counties.

KAKE TV (Wichita) - https://bit.ly/2Jb5eGh

 

[mcphilbrick]

Bourbon County has confirmed COVID-19 case

Bourbon County Health Department officials announced Sunday Bourbon County has its first confirmed case of COVID-19.

According to one county official, the individual who has tested positive is a 74-year-old male living within Bourbon County. The official was unsure what town the individual uses as a physical address.

In response to this, Bourbon County Commissioners held an emergency meeting Sunday evening via conference call, which is allowed by Kansas Open Meetings Act and recommended by the Kansas Attorney General. Additionally, County Counselor Justin Meeks said the three commissioners and one individual who normally would be in attendance are in the high-risk category for COVID-19.

Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Resolution and also have, by proxy, Bourbon County Emergency Manager William Wallis to sign their names.

The resolution is the first step taken before the entire county is placed on quarantine, Meeks said. The resolution is also needed in order for the county to receive emergency funding.

The county is not on lock down at this time. That decision will be made by Becky Johnson, regional public health director, Meeks told the Tribune Sunday evening.

Fort Scott Tribune - https://bit.ly/2wwFdOL

 

[mcphilbrick]

Bourbon County lost hospital in Feb 2019

The End of an Era for Southeast Kansas Healthcare

By Jonathan Riley / jriley@morningsun.net
Posted Jun 23, 2019

Then, late last year, Mercy announced the hospital would be closing at the beginning of February. For many in the community, the news was devastating.

For now, at least, because of an agreement between two Pittsburg organizations — Ascension Via Christi and Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK), which are temporarily operating an emergency room and clinic, respectively, at the former Mercy Hospital Fort Scott

According to Wesco, “maybe a third” of the 177,000 square foot former Mercy hospital in Fort Scott is now being put to use.

Morning Sun News (Pittsburg, KS) - https://bit.ly/3adkE8B

Wikipedia information about Bourbon County:

639 square miles - in Southeast Kansas on border with Missouri
As of the 2010 census, the county population was 15,173

 

[mcphilbrick]

Leavenworth VA employee tests positive for COVID-19

The VA Eastern Kansas Health Care system says one of their employees has tested positive for COVID-19.

In a release sent this morning, spokesman Joseph Burks said leadership at the Leavenworth Medical Center learned that one of their employees tested positive for the virus on Sunday.

WIBW TV (Topeka) - https://bit.ly/2WArHnU

 

[mcphilbrick]

March 23, 2020 Public Update

Total Positive cases 82

Total Deaths - 2

County Info
Bourboon - 1
Butler - 3
Cherokee - 2
Douglas - 8
Franklin - 1
Jackson - 1
Johnson - 32
Levenworth - 5
Linn - 2
Lyon - 2
Mitchell - 2
Morris - 2
Potawatomie (formerly case listed as Riley County) - 1
Reno - 2
Segwick - 2
Wyandotte - 16

 

[mcphilbrick]

Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) change criteria for COVID-19 tests


KDHE state testing has been limited to the following:

? Healthcare workers and first responders who have COVID-19 symptoms

? Potential clusters of unknown respiratory illness, with priority given to long-term care facilities and healthcare facilities

? Hospitalized patients with no alternative diagnosis

? Individuals over the age of 60 who have symptoms of COVID-19 with priority given to people who reside in nursing homes, long-term care facilities, or other congregate settings

? Individuals with underlying health conditions that would be treated differently if they were infected with COVID-19



KWCH Television - https://bit.ly/2Wz34br

Reporters are indicating that a lack of test kits is behind these changes in the requirements.

 

[mcphilbrick]

Crawford County confirms first case of COVID-19

The Crawford County Health Department confirms the first positive case of novel coronavirus, referred to as COVID-19, within Crawford County.

The patient, who is only being identified as a child under the age of 5, is currently isolated and has not been hospitalized, according to the health department.


KOAM Television - https://bit.ly/2QENLdo

 

[mcphilbrick]

Per KDHS news conference

Lowered maximum amount of people at gathering from 50 to 10

WIBW Television - https://bit.ly/2wxInSn

Stay at home orders issued at county level. The following counties were mentioned as being added to list of counties with such an order.
Atchison
Doniphan
Lyon
Miami

Previous orders included
Johnson
Wyandotte
Leavenworth
Douglas

KWCH Television - https://bit.ly/33GfIXv

89/105 counties do NOT have a confirmed case at this time

not seeing doubling of cases -- seeing about 10-12 cases / day (editorial comment: not testing Johnson county / strict guidelines for testing)

project 300-400 cases by end of month


WIBW TV (Topeka) https://bit.ly/2wxInSn

 

[mcphilbrick]

Doniphan County KS - Stay at home order - https://bit.ly/2UeMQSY

County is across the Missouri river from St. Joseph, Missouri

 

[Missouriwatcher]

fox4kc: ...32 people in Johnson County have tested positive for COVID-19.

As of 10 a.m. Monday, there are a total of 82 positive cases in the state, according to KDHE...

https://fox4kc.com/news/32-people-in...e-total-to-82/

 

[mcphilbrick]

Lyon county not under shelter at home order yet

KVOE News (Emporia) - https://bit.ly/2J8ot30

CORONAVIRUS: Despite governor's statement, Lyon County not under shelter-in-place order but local officials expect announcement this week

 

[mcphilbrick]

Atchison County not under shelter at home order yet

ACEM: Governor erred on local stay-at-home order

Atchison Globe (Atchison, KS) - https://bit.ly/2JdLDFa

 

[mcphilbrick]

Miami County Stay at Home Order

Miami County, KS website - https://bit.ly/3bmMyPW

 

[mcphilbrick]

Linn County confirms its first case of coronavirus

The Linn County Health Department announced Thursday, March 19, that the county's first case of coronavirus (COVID-19) has been confirmed through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) laboratory in Topeka.

The health department did not provide information about where the case occurred in the county but said the person has been isolated in their home, according to a news release.

Miami County Republic - https://bit.ly/39hcg75

 

[mcphilbrick]

Segwick & Dickinson Counties issue Stay at Home Orders

Sedgwick County recommends stay-home order; critical functions, defense industries exempt

Wichita Eagle - https://bit.ly/3bp8EBj

__________________________

Sedgwick and Dickinson Counties issue stay-at-home orders

Hays Post -- https://bit.ly/2QJBh4i

In an effort to deal with COVID-19, a Stay-at-Home order has been issued for Dickinson County residents, effective at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, according to local Health Officer, Dr. Brian Holmes, and remains in effect until further notice.

Sedgwick County commission chair Pete Meitzner said during a Tuesday coronavirus press conference that Dr. Garold Minns, the county's health director had signed the stay-at-home order. Commissioners voted 3-2 approving the draft order during an emergency meeting Monday.

______________________

Dickinson County Emergency Health Order

Dickinson County Health - https://bit.ly/3bp98HD

 

[mcphilbrick]

March 24, 2020 Public Update

Total Positive cases: 98
Deaths: 2
OUt of state resident positive cases: 2

County count

Bourbon - 1
Butler - 3
Cherokee - 2
Doniphan - 1
Douglas - 6
Franklin - 1
Jackson - 1
Johnson - 36
Leavenworth - 7
Linn - 2
Lyon - 2
Mithcell - 1
Morris - 2
Pottawatomie - 1
Reno - 2
Sedgwick - 7
Woodson - 1
Wyandotte - 22

KDHE Update - https://bit.ly/3asXxqI

 

[mcphilbrick]

CORONAVIRUS: FIRST CASE CONFIRMED IN DONIPHAN COUNTY

According to a release issued early Tuesday afternoon by the Doniphan County Health Department/Home Health, the individual is in isolation and following the recommendations of health officials.

Health officials said the person is a medical provider. She's between 40 and 50-years-old.

The health department is currently at work to identify contacts of the infected person.

The Doniphan County confirmation brings the number of local area cases to eight. [Editorial comment: Doniphan County is across Missouri River from St. Joseph, MO]

KQ2 TV (St. Joseph, MO) - https://bit.ly/2UxhupH

 

[mcphilbrick]

Shawnee County Daily Press Conference

Stormont Vail Hospital -- positive test of male from Woodson County

Stay at Home order announced to go in affect at 12:01 am Thursday

Douglas County confirmed 5th case - 1st community confirmed case / sporadic cases in surrounding counties to Shawnee County
Believes virus is in Shawnee County "but have not been able to find it because of limited testing"
Supply of testing kits limited / strict testing guidelines
private labs coming online - however still require agreements between health care institutions and labs for them to be processed / average return time from private labs as long as 7 days

Shawnee County -- Monday last week 53 being monitored / today 155 being monitored -- traveling and close contacts - presence of such a high number at risk and number going up makes him think risk of infection in Shawnee County going higher

10-15 days lag time from time becomes infectious to time can confirm person is positive

Wednesday at 6 pm will have live Facebook chat regarding stay at home order

current stay at home ordinance has duration of 30 days

Topeka mayor asking for help getting hotspots set up in Topeka area for students

not accepting home made masks at this time (two regional hospitals in community)

______

Q/A with director of Stormont Vail Regional Medical Center

ventilators /isolation rooms - will get info to public

adding rooms - 8 last week / 8 available tomorrow
have virtual nursing capacity

looking at adding 16 more next week


Woodson County positive patient in Stormont Vail - male age 50 in ICU bed / negative flow room


plans to add staff - stay at home order / ceased elective surgery / currently have large number staff that can be repurposed /
telemedicine service -- getting set up to work with people in their homes





broadcast live by KSNT and WIBW over Facebook

Both TV stations will post article / video once press conference over

 

[mcphilbrick]

‘Anyone can get it.’ KC doctor shares story of his dad’s COVID-19 death to help others

Just days after losing his father to COVID-19, Luke Wilson has a message to share. Not just for the Kansas City area, but for the world.

“This needs to be relayed over and over again,” Wilson, an area physician, told The Star on Tuesday. “It’s in our community, and anyone can get it. Anyone can contract the virus, and anybody can spread the virus.”

Luke Wilson said his father’s story is a wake-up call for anyone who thinks they won’t contract the virus.

...

“I’m not thinking my neighbor in church or my father,” Luke said. “I’m not thinking of the 70-ish-year-old male who might have a touch of diabetes or might have a touch of heart disease or hypertension. Because those people don’t look sick and they don’t act sick and they’re very, very vibrant.”

Just like his dad, Luke said.

“He was 74. He had lean muscle mass, he was normal weight,” he said. “He was a relatively newly diagnosed, diet- controlled type 2 diabetic, so he didn’t need medicine for that. He had survived prostate cancer about 10, 12 years prior to that and he’d had coronary artery bypass grafting 30 years ago and was being followed by a cardiologist for that, but his heart was good. He never smoked, had no history with lung issues, no asthma.”


Kansas City Star - https://bit.ly/2JpsHUp