Sedgwick County COVID-19 Daily Update – May 14, 2020

Please view today’s 2:30 p.m. video report briefing here: https://youtu.be/C6Q-v2vadpY

COVID-19 Overall Case Count

Confirmed cases as of noon May 14, 2020

U.S. and Kansas cases - Johns Hopkins University & Medicine

Sedgwick County cases - Sedgwick County Health Department

 Sedgwick County COVID-19 Case Count

⁺There are two duplicates recorded in data from KDHE and other confirmed cases may not be reflected in KDHE numbers.

*A person is considered recovered from COVID-19 72 hours after symptoms stop or 10 days after symptoms start, whichever is longer.

Sedgwick County Health Department Update

• Residents can be tested at no cost, regardless of insurance, if they have at least two symptoms of COVID-19. There are no restrictions on age or underlying condition.
  • Please call United Way of the Plains at 2-1-1 if you think you should be tested for the disease.
  • General questions about COVID-19 should be directed to United Way of the Plains at 2-1-1.
  • For up-to-date information, please visit sedgwickcounty.org.
• KDHE reports that more than 7,100 residents have been tested for COVID-19 in Sedgwick County. The Health Department sampled 70 people today at our drive through site.

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Sedgwick County Updates

• As you know, Sedgwick County received more than $99 million from the CARES Act.
  • Yesterday, Commissioners approved $4.2 million of budget authority to help protect residents from COVID-19.
    • $1.8 million for 47 positions to assist the Health Department
    • $50,000 in additional personnel (Finance)
    • $500,000 in contractuals
    • $1.4 million in commodities
    • $420,000 for Elections support
  • This funding will be used for PPE and for a public awareness marketing campaign.
  • We are developing forms and a formal process for applications for reimbursement along with monitoring/ reporting
• Sedgwick County’s local Health and Economic Recovery Plan can be found online at sedgwickcounty.org.
• Phase 1 of the plan to reopen Kansas is still in place.
  • Certain businesses and organizations are allowed to reopen in Sedgwick County if they following social distancing and hygiene standards set by the Governor’s order. 
  • All questions and clarifications about the Order be directed to the Governor’s Office at (785) 368-8500. Do not call 9-1-1 if you have questions or concerns about the Executive Order.
  • Please visit sedgwickcounty.org to view the latest order and guidelines for businesses and organizations.
• Residents who wish to do business with the County and departments closed to the public (Appraiser’s Office, MABCD) may conduct their business by phone, email, or by appointment only.

 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.

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.