Riley County COVID-19 numbers continue to rise locally, with now 61 active cases, and 132 total cases in the county since the pandemic began. Those were the latest figures as of Monday afternoon. (Earlier in the day, it was mistakenly reported that active cases were at 25.)

“We had a huge jump in our cases over the last week. We added a total of 47 new cases just last week, we tested a total of 320 (individuals),” said Riley County Health Officer Julie Gibbs Monday on KMAN.

Gibbs says as of last week the county was at a 14 percent positive rate compared to a 2 percent rate three weeks ago. Of the 132 cases, Gibbs says 60 percent are males and 40 percent are females. Most of the new cases coming in are younger individuals between 18 and 24. A number of them have come from being at social gatherings at local bars and restaurants.

“We’re not blaming any of the bar owners or managers there. It’s an individual choice so just make sure you’re staying away from large crowds, that you’re wearing a mask as much as you can and that you’re practicing that good hand hygiene,” she said.
There were 27 new cases reported over the weekend, but most of the individuals who are testing positive locally are recovering. Gibbs says 68 people have made recoveries and there have been three deaths. The county has 96 pending tests and over 2,100 negative tests that have come back. Gibbs explains what criteria must be met to be listed as recovered.
“You must be at least 10 days from the onset of your symptoms and at least three days fever free with no fever reducing medications being taken and also a decline of your other symptoms,” she said.

Some Aggieville businesses including Taco Lucha, So Long Saloon and Varsity Donuts have shut their doors temporarily out of an abundance of caution after the health department announced many of the new cases involved individuals who had recently visited Aggieville.

A viral video posted to Snapchat over the weekend and shared by City Commissioner Aaron Estabrook shows crowds gathering at several bars, with no signs of any observed precautions by patrons. Estabrook commented the area is “skidding towards another stay at home order, because people couldn’t be bothered to maintain a little bit of distance and wear a mask. It’s not that hard. It really isn’t.”

The Health Department announced Monday that it will resume its video news briefings on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, starting this week at 4:15 p.m. Those are accessible via the health department Facebook page.

 

The post Update: Riley County tallies 27 new COVID-19 cases, mostly younger patrons who visited Aggieville appeared first on News Radio KMAN.

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