Sedgwick County COVID-19 Daily Update – July 22, 2020

The link to today’s daily briefing can be found here: https://youtu.be/MPzmjJ29krk

COVID-19 Overall Case Count
Confirmed cases as of noon July 22, 2020
U.S. cases – Johns Hopkins University & Medicine
Kansas and counties cases – Kansas Department of Health & Environment
Sedgwick County cases – Sedgwick County Health Department

Sedgwick County COVID-19 Case Count

*A person is considered recovered from COVID-19 72 hours after symptoms stop or 10 days after symptoms start, whichever is longer.
+Sedgwick County’s data reflects results from nasopharyngeal (NP) confirmed COVID-19 cases; the KDHE dashboard shows results from NP tests, antibody tests, and persons under investigation.

Sedgwick County Health Department Update

• More than 45,000 residents have been tested for COVID-19 in Sedgwick County and 236 residents are scheduled to be tested at the SCHD drive-through site.
  • The Sedgwick County Health Department is only testing symptomatic residents and certain high-priority professions at no cost.
  • Please call United Way of the Plains at 2-1-1 if you think you should be tested for the disease or if you have general questions about it.

Sedgwick County Updates

• There was a discussion of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
  • The online portal is available for social services and health programs to apply for reimbursement. Cities and school districts will be contacted to submit information through a separate portal.
  • A business needs survey is due Friday – this information will be used to design a plan to spend $9.3 million from the State.
  • CARES spending totals $5 million since late March.
    • $420,000 for Sinochips lab work and testing
    • $135,000 for temporary staff
    • $150,000 for BKD to train County Finance
    • $38,000 for an Emergency Management inventory management system
    • $45,000 for a morgue cooler
    • $64,000 for masks and gloves
    • $21,000 for an intercom system for Corrections
  • An off-agenda item to discuss the latest order from Dr. Minns came before Commissioners. Amendments include:
    • Children age 11 or under are exempt from the mask order; children age two and younger should not wear a mask because of the risk of suffocation.
    • Businesses licensed to sell alcohol for on premise consumption do not have to close by midnight.
    • Swimming pools are exempted from the order.
    • The order will begin at 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 24 and be active through Friday, Aug. 21, at 11:59 p.m. It will be revisited weekly.
    • The revised order will be available online today

Prevention Measures

• Wash your hands often with soap and water
• Maintain social distancing – keep at least six feet of space between you and others who are not in your household
• Wear a face mask/covering if social distancing is not an option
• Cover all coughs and sneezes
• Stay home if you are ill

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.

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