Sedgwick County COVID-19 Daily Update – April 15, 2020

Please view the recorded report here: https://youtu.be/Nx9_ABtbuqM

COVID-19 Overall Case Count
Confirmed cases in U.S. as of noon April 15, 2020, Johns Hopkins University & Medicine
Confirmed cases in Kansas and counties as of noon, April 15, 2020, Kansas Department of Health and Environment

• Number of confirmed cases in the U.S. increased from 584,073 to 610,774
• Number of confirmed cases in Kansas increased from 1,426 to 1,494
• Number of confirmed deaths in Kansas: 76
• Number of confirmed cases in Sedgwick County increased from 206 to 211⁺
• Number of confirmed cases in periphery counties:
  • Harvey County: 5
  • Butler County: 10
  • Cowley County: 1
  • Sumner: 2
  • Reno County: 13

Sedgwick County COVID-19 Case Count
This table is generally updated daily after noon, after KDHE updates are shared.

⁺There are two duplicates recorded in data from KDHE.
*A person is considered recovered from COVID-19 72 hours after symptoms stop or seven days after symptoms start, whichever is longer.

Sedgwick County Health Department Update

• As of noon today, April 15, KDHE reports that more than 1,500 residents have been tested for COVID-19 in Sedgwick County.
• The Health Department is currently taking samples of residents who meet the criteria to be tested for COVID-19.
  • If residents have general questions about COVID-19 or if they think they need to be tested for it, they should call United Way of the Plains at 2-1-1.
  • For up-to-date information, please visit sedgwickcounty.org.

• The Sedgwick County Health Department has been notified of a potential scam related to COVID-19.
  • Some residents have received text messages claiming to be the Sedgwick County Health Department.
  • The message alerts the resident that they have come in contact with someone who has COVID-19 and the resident is directed to fill out a survey at a link provided online.
  • This is a scam. Please note that the Health Department:
    • First calls all potential close contacts of COVID-19 cases as part of infectious disease monitoring.
    • Uses text messaging only after verbal permission from a close contact.
    • Never asks for personal information in an online survey, such as social security number.
  • If a resident has been contacted by a COVID-19 scammer, such as these text messages, they should file a complaint with the attorney general's Consumer Protection Division online on a form specifically designed to cover COVID-19-related scams and price gouging at ag.ks.gov.

Prevention Measures

• Stay home
• Wash your hands often with soap and water
• Cover all coughs and sneezes
• Maintain social distancing – keep six feet of space between you and others
• Limit public gatherings to 10 people or less

Face Mask Guidance

• KDHE notes that homemade masks may be another tool along with the above prevention measures to keep people from unknowingly spreading the virus.
• Use this acronym when considering safe homemade mask use:
  • Multi-layered, tightly-woven 100% Cotton.
    • Use a thread count of 180 or higher. Don’t buy surgical or N95 masks.
  • Avoid your face and remove it from behind.
    • Never touch the front of the mask, and always remove it from behind your head.
  • Scrap it if it’s damaged, soiled, or doesn’t fit.
    • Make sure it’s breathable and fits snug. Don’t use it while it’s damp, wet, or dirty.
  • Keep the mask and your hands clean.
    • Wash your hands before you put the mask on/after you take it off. Wash or dispose the mask after every use.

Sedgwick County Updates

• Current orders in place:
• Governor’s stay-at-home order is in place until April 19.
• Sedgwick County’s stay-at-home order is in place until April 23.
• Sedgwick County’s order banning public gatherings in excess of 10 people is in place until April 23.
• Governor’s order banning public gatherings in excess of 10 people is in place until May 1.

• As a reminder, residents do not need any sort of documentation to travel from one place to another while under these orders.
  • The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office will not stop you unless there is a legal reason.

Mental Health Support

• COMCARE of Sedgwick County is offering a Support Line for individuals who may be experiencing an elevation in mental health symptoms.
• Individuals may call (316) 660-1111 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.
• They’ll receive resources, coping skill ideas, and encouragement to keep doing what they need to do to stay healthy, emotionally and physically.
• Residents who are experiencing a mental health crisis should call (316) 660-7500.

Donation Requests

• If you are a business and would like to offer support/ donations to keep our public safety and healthcare workers safe, there is a list of ongoing needs at our website, sedgwickcounty.org.
• Contact Sedgwick County Emergency Management at (316) 660-5959 to donate.

All questions from media should be directed to Public Information Officer Kate Flavin at (316) 660-9370 or kate.flavin@sedgwick.gov.