Update 10 a.m. Friday
The number of positive cases of coronavirus continues to climb, now at 40 as of Friday morning, as testing becomes more available in the community.
The Riley County Health Department says the latest individuals to test positive are a 22-year-old woman, a 26-year-old woman and a 33-year-old man. There are currently three positive patients and three persons under investigation at the hospital. One of the three patients is a Riley County resident. One person remains on a ventilator.
The health department says there are 113 pending tests as they’ve been able to expand testing based on new KDHE guidelines and additional supplies.
Pottawatomie County was reporting eight positive cases as of Thursday afternoon, three of which are in self-isolation. All three are Wamego residents. Geary County totaled nine positive cases as of Thursday.
More information will be shared during this afternoon’s press conference at 4:15 p.m. and the daily update on KMAN with health officer Julie Gibbs.
Update 5 p.m.:
by Nick McNamara
Riley County health and safety officials provided no additional updates on the new positive tests at their daily online press conference Thursday, saying they will continue to follow guidance and orders coming down from Gov. Laura Kelly’s office.
“As of now, there has been no indication of any changes,” says Riley County EMS Director David Adams. “The governor will make any decisions based on state-wide data.”
He also noted Kansas saw a 271 case spike yesterday, adding that will be taken into account as the next steps forward are considered.
“We don’t have any idea right now what the governor’s going to do, we’re having to wait just like everybody else is,” says Adams. “But that large increase in positives is showing it is still spreading in the state.”
Adams also reiterated a hope expressed by Gibbs Wednesday that they are hoping to being testing more widely due to increased testing kit availability in Kansas. Now, residents can qualify for testing even if they do not have a fever, though they must have two known symptoms. More information on symptoms can be found at Rileycountyks.gov/coronavirus.
Adams further said antibody testing is not available at this time, noting that tests being developed are not specific to COVID-19 and have not received FDA approval.
“What those antibody tests are showing is if you had a coronavirus, [including]a common cold,” says Adams. “That’s why they are not approved by the FDA at this point.”
With the weather warming up, Assistant RCPD Director Kurt Moldrup says they are hearing more of social gatherings such as barbecues and house parties typical to the time of year. He encourages residents to take advantage of the weather to get out and exercise, but reminds residents that state and local stay-at-home orders and gathering limitations remain in place.
“It’s awkward for [officers],” says Moldrup. “They don’t want to do this, they’re wanting to enjoy time with their friends as well so they understand, but we need to comply with this order so we can move forward.”
He says they don’t intend on being “fun police,” but says officers will be proactive in speaking with folks gathering in order to educate them on the health guidelines from the state and gain voluntary compliance. Moldrup says the community needs to work together and continue physical distancing in order for the county to get to a position where businesses can begin re-opening.
Additionally, though the governor has permitted curbside alcohol sales, Moldrup says that doesn’t mean people can drive with an open container. Drinks bought from restaurants must be put into a sealed container at the restaurant and provide customers with a receipt for verification.
Adams and Moldrup say the unified command at the Emergency Operations Center is also staying in contact with neighboring Geary and Pottawatomie Counties as they plan the path toward recovery and re-opening businesses noting the overlap and commuting that occurs between the counties.
“Each order will likely look a little different,” says Moldrup. “We’re all trying to not do a cookie-cutter for the whole state, but do what is appropriate in each county based on the circumstances in each county.”
“We want to do the right thing at the right time for our county, as do they.”
Original:
Riley County has three more positive cases of the coronavirus, bringing the total to 37.
The new patients are all female, ages 19, 47 and 57-years-old, and are in home isolation.
Two of these patients were at one point in contact with a previously identified patient. Contact tracing is still being done for the third patient.
24 of the 37 cases are active while the rest are patients who have recovered.
Ascension Via Christi Hospital currently has three COVID-19 confirmed positive patients, one of which is a Riley County resident, and three additional patients who are considered Persons Under Investigation.
Riley County has 243 negative and 17 pending test results.
One new positive case has been confirmed in Pottawatomie County, bringing the total to seven cases.
Geary County remains at nine positive cases.
The post Update: Riley County coronavirus cases rise to 40 as testing ramps up locally appeared first on News Radio KMAN.
