Sedgwick County COVID-19 Update – August 19, 2020

The link to today’s briefing can be found here: https://youtu.be/9KHansvdnww

COVID-19 Overall Case Count
Confirmed cases as of noon August 19, 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’s data reflects people who test positive with nasopharyngeal (NP) swab molecular testing (confirmed COVID-19 cases). The KDHE dashboard differs because it also includes people who are IgM antibody test or antigen test positive if they are linked to a confirmed case or if they have COVID-19 symptoms.

Sedgwick County Health Department Update

• More than 67,000 residents have been tested for COVID-19 in Sedgwick County and 126 residents were scheduled to be tested at the SCHD drive-through site this morning.
  • The Sedgwick County Health Department offers no-cost testing of symptomatic residents and people working in certain high-priority professions.
  • 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.

• The Mobile Outreach Team will provide no-cost COVID-19 testing for symptomatic residents, contacts of COVID-19 positive people, or people in certain high-risk professions from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. on the following days. 
• Thursday, August 20 at the Haysville Community Center, 130 E. 2nd South, Haysville, KS 67060
• Monday, August 24 at the Clearwater Community Center, 921 E. Janet Ave, Clearwater, KS 67026
• Wednesday, August 26 at Tabernacle Bible Church, 1817 N. Volutsia, Wichita, KS 67214

Sedgwick County Updates

• There was a discussion of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
• Sedgwick County has spent about $9.4 million in CARES funding since the beginning of March.
• Over the past week, funding has been used for EMS durable goods, a lease agreement for the former Armory building which operates as the Health Department’s drive through site, building repairs for the HVAC assessment, masks and gowns, Zoom licenses and other technology.
• Staff continue to order Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and supplies for businesses to distribute in September.

• The small business grant application is now live and can be accessed at https://sedgwickcares.force.com/Application/s/smallbusinessgrant  
  • Small businesses with up to 50 employees may be eligible for a maximum of $5,000 in grants per business.
  • The deadline to apply for this funding is September 11, 2020.

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 Communications at (316) 660-9370 or communications@sedgwick.gov.