Riley County closes June with increase of 167 cases of COVID-19

The Riley County Health Department reported five more new cases of COVID-19 Tuesday, but says none of the new patients have required hospitalization.

Additionally, six more people people were added to the recovered list. The total active cases is at 139, with 91 recovered and three deaths since the virus first presented locally in March. Ascension Via Christi continues to monitor one positive patient on a ventilator and two persons under investigation showing symptoms and awaiting test results. Pottawatomie County meanwhile continues to have 14 positive cases and 55 recovered for a cumulative total of 69 cases.

As June came to a close, Riley County saw the number of COVID-19 active cases jump from seven active cases on June 1st to 139 on June 30, an increase of 132 cases. The cumulative total also increased from 66 to 233. During that same time span 33 people were added to the recovery list. That’s on par with May, which saw 29 people eventually recover from the virus. Negative cases have also more than doubled as testing becomes more readily available. (A comparison from June 30 and June 1, is available below)

Local Health Officer Julie Gibbs hasn’t ruled out further restrictions if the transmission rate isn’t flattened in the coming weeks.

“Statistics over the next few weeks will be very important in determining whether further restrictions are needed before school starts,” Gibbs said. “Riley County has taken action to flatten the curve by placing additional restrictions on bars and restaurants, where the disease is spreading the fastest in our community. Ft. Riley, K-State, and Governor Kelly have also implemented new restrictions. Numbers in July will tell us whether these efforts are working.”

Konza United Way is now handling cloth mask collection and distribution in Riley County. Masks can be dropped off or picked up Tuesday or Thursday at their office at 555 Poyntz Ave Suite 245 between noon and 3 p.m. 

    Riley County Statistics for Tuesday, June 30, 2020:

• Total positive cases in Riley County Residents: 66
• Total Active: 7
• Total Recovered: 58
• Total Hospitalized: 1
• Total deaths: 1
• Pending test results: 109
• Negative test results: 1,105