Sedgwick County COVID-19 Update – August 3, 2020

COVID-19 Overall Case Count
Confirmed cases as of noon August 3, 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 results from nasopharyngeal (NP) confirmed COVID-19 cases; the KDHE dashboard shows results from NP tests (confirmed cases) and IgM antibody tests and antigen tests if linked to a confirmed case.

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 Health Department Update

• More than 56,000 residents have been tested for COVID-19 in Sedgwick County and 245 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.
• Sedgwick County COVID-19 website reminders:
  • A new document for businesses is on the testing page of the Sedgwick County COVID-19 website. The document describes the process for disease investigations, and isolation and quarantine of employees.
  • Recovery/reopening metrics are available on the Sedgwick County website

• The Mobile Outreach Response (MOR) team supports the community by providing increased access to no-cost coronavirus testing for Sedgwick County residents who have symptoms or who are contacts of known COVID-19 positive people. In addition, people without symptoms can be tested if they are first responders, healthcare workers (including home health and long-term care), law enforcement, detention facility workers, Direct Support Professionals, or if they work in residential group living facilities.
• Mobile testing locations this week:

• Tuesday, August 4 – Cheney Fire Department (Community Room), 525 N. Main, Cheney, KS 67027
• Thursday, August 6 – Colwich Fire Department, 116 N. Third St., Colwich, KS 67030

Sedgwick County Updates

• The Board of County Commissioners met for a special meeting last week to discuss the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

• Elizabeth Ablah, PhD, MPH, Department of Population Health at the University Of Kansas School Of Medicine spoke about the types of COVID-19 tests.
• Types include: viral, antigen, and antibody tests.
• She explained the differences between each test.
• Dr. Ablah discussed her preliminary evaluation of two different proposals for CARES funding for testing-related projects.  She indicated that additional information was needed, and that she will work with staff to acquire that information and complete her evaluation.
• Lindsay Poe Rousseau updated the Commissioners on CARES funding.
• Commissioners voted to table the CARES spending plan related to assistance to bars/nightclubs due to the closure order, with a CARES-funded business support program proposal to come before the Commission on August 12.
• Commissioners voted to allocate a flat rate per student + $100,000 for the 10 school districts headquartered in Sedgwick County and private accredited K-12 schools.

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.