Sedgwick County COVID-19 Update – August 26, 2020

The link to today’s briefing can be found here: https://youtu.be/ktl6MNaGGWQ

COVID-19 Overall Case Count
Confirmed cases as of noon August 26, 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

• Of the new cases reported today, 120 are results from the ongoing cluster at the Sedgwick County Detention Center.
• More than 73,000 residents have been tested for COVID-19 in Sedgwick County and 88 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.
  • Next day appointments can be made by calling United Way of the Plains at 2-1-1.
  • With the new results portal implemented, patients are now able to access test results as early as three days after sampling.

• 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. 
• Monday, August 31 at The Bridge Church, 2328 E. 13^th St. North, Wichita, KS 67214
• Wednesday, September 2 at University United Methodist Church, 2220 N. Yale, Wichita, KS 67220

Sedgwick County Updates

• The current Emergency Public Health Order is in effect until at least midnight Tuesday, September 8, 2020.
• The small business grant application is now live and can be accessed here. 
  • 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.
• Public healthcare and social service providers may apply for CARES funding here.
  • Examples of eligible COVID-19 related expenses include: establishing and operating public telemedicine capabilities for COVID-19 related treatment; acquisition and distribution of medical and protective supplies; expenses for disinfection of public areas and other facilities.
• So far, Sedgwick County has spent $13.7 million on COVID-19-related purposes. Below is a spending breakdown.
  • $9.6 million is from the County’s direct allocation of Federal CARES funding. This is up $200,000 from last week, primarily due to the most recent payroll posting and payments for temporary employment services through a staffing agency. Additional increases were for software and technology for County services. United Methodist Open Door homeless day program was granted $7,000 to support COMCARE’s homeless program.
  • $2.6 million was committed from the $9.3 million in the County’s allocation from the State of Kansas’s CARES funding; this is up $600,000 from last week. The entirety of this expense was for products ordered to stock the business PPE kits that Commissioners previously authorized; the goal is to distribute these kits beginning in mid-September.
  • $1.2 million has been spent from the County’s General Fund.  This is an increase of $14,000 for payments associated with the development of a COVID-19 mass vaccination plan. Fire District 1 spending on COVID-19 remains flat at $22,000.
  • The Sedgwick County Election Office has spent $155,000 of its award from the Secretary of State.

Prevention Measures 

• Remember the three W’s to prevent the spread of COVID-19:
  • Wash your hands with soap and water often
  • Wear a mask or face covering
  • Watch your distance – keep six feet of space between you and others who are not in your household

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.