Sedgwick County COVID-19 Update – August 31, 2020

COVID-19 Overall Case Count
Confirmed cases as of noon August 31, 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

• Beginning today, Sedgwick County residents working in in-person classrooms of preK to 12th grade students and those who drive buses will be able to schedule a time to be sampled for COVID-19 through the Sedgwick County Health Department (SCHD).
  • These individuals can be tested weekly whether or not they have symptoms.
• Nearly 80,000 residents have been tested for COVID-19 in Sedgwick County and 139 residents were scheduled to be tested at the SCHD drive-through site this morning.
  • The SCHD 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. 
• Wednesday, September 2 at University United Methodist Church, 2220 N. Yale, Wichita, KS 67220
• Tuesday, September 8 at Bethany United Methodist Church, 1601 S. Main St., Wichita, KS 67213

Sedgwick County Updates

• The Sedgwick County Virtual Town Hall Meeting with Local Physicians will begin at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, September 3.
  • The event will be live on Sedgwick County’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.
  • Please submit questions for this event by Tuesday, September 1 on social media.
• 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.
  • The deadline to apply for this funding is September 20, 2020.
• The current Emergency Public Health Order is in effect until at least midnight Tuesday, September 8, 2020.

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.