This Week in Sedgwick County - November 5

Board of County Commissioners

• Sedgwick County’s Local Health Officer, Dr. Minns discussed the COVID-19 metrics.
• Today’s percent positive rate of cases was 19.5 percent – the highest since the pandemic started.
• The increase may be related to various activities such as in-person classes, gatherings and weddings where attendees are not wearing masks, and businesses not enforcing compliance.
• Both Dr. Sam Antonios, Ascension Via Christ, and Dr. Lowell Ebersole, Wesley Medical Center, agree staffing is an issue and are working to find a balance staffing requirements for health and safety.  
• All three doctors encourage more public education about the importance of healthy behaviors: washing hands often, wearing a mask, and social distancing.
• There was a discussion of the CARES Act.
• Commissioners approved $1.7 million for public health and social service non-profits including $1.68 million for Ascension Via Christi for travelling nurses to support staffing needs.
• Roughly $4 million remains available to the community.
• The portal for non-profits to apply for funding is available for health or social services organizations.
• More than $2 million in safe operating grants have been sent into the community.
• The safe operating grant portal will be reopened until funds are exhausted or until November 30, 2020.
• Commissioners approved two purchases for INTRUST Bank Arena.
• $111,000 for a mobile ordering system for concession stand and $146,000 for bipolar ionization kits to clean air inside the Arena.
• In total, Sedgwick County has spent roughly $42.7 million related to COVID-19.
• So far, the County has spent $36 million from the CARES Act; this is $1.3 million more than last week. Expenses included personnel costs, lab costs, and cleaning services.
• Commissioner reviewed issues related the County’s legislative platform.
• Priorities related to mental and behavioral health, nuisance abatement, and a charter commission for Sedgwick County’s charter commission.

Upcoming Events

• Sedgwick County will be closed on Wednesday, November 11 in honor of Veterans Day.

-end-

View the meeting here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9d4TLQklBg

For questions