Coronavirus updates: Sedgwick County cases up to 64, but 8 have recovered from COVID-19

We’re keeping track of the most up-to-date news about coronavirus in the Wichita area. Check back for updates.

New COVID-19 cases

Six more cases of the novel coronavirus have been identified in Sedgwick County, public health officials say.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment reports 64 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Sedgwick County, up from 58 the day before. Statewide, there have been 482 positive tests and 5,411 negative tests. Ten people have died, including one in the Wichita area.

The Sedgwick County Health Department reports that eight local patients have recovered from COVID-19.

“Recovered” does not mean that patients have been retested and are now negative for the virus, county officials said. A person is considered to have recovered when symptoms have been gone for 72 hours, or seven days after symptoms start, whichever is longer.

County authorities received a shipment of swabs from the KDHE yesterday, giving local public health officials the ability to sample 145 more people. As of the end of Tuesday, 125 people have been tested out of the 594 people who have screened by local health officials. Nine people had appointments scheduled for Wednesday to have sample taken.

Known cases in neighboring counties include eight in Reno County, five in Butler, two in Harvey and one in Sumner.

The age range of coronavirus patients in Kansas is infant to 95, with a median age of 55. The state reports 114 patients have been hospitalized, but data is only available on less than 75% of cases.

Combating coronavirus fraud

Prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the consumer protection division of the Kansas Attorney General’s Office have partnered to investigate and prosecute scammers during the pandemic. Anyone with information on coronavirus-related scams or price gouging is asked to file a complaint with either federal or state authorities.

State complaint forms can be found at www.ag.ks.gov, or a paper form can be mailed upon request by calling 800-432-2310. The U.S. attorney’s office can be contacted by email at USAKS.Covid.Fraud@usdoj.gov or by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud hotline at 866-720-5721.

Reduction in flights

Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport announced that airlines will be reducing flights from Wichita since estimates show that “passenger traffic in the U.S. has dropped as much as 90% from this time a year ago.” The airport lists several examples, like American Airlines reducing daily flights to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport from seven to four or five. The reductions start in April or May and could run through June. A full list can be found at flywichita.com/airlines-are-cutting-flights-at-ict.

“Overall, April capacity at ICT has decreased 28% from March, with 298 fewer flights and 25,446 fewer seats scheduled,” the release says.

Sedgwick County Jail lobby closure

The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office has extended the closure of the jail lobby until April 30.

Contributing: Chance Swaim of The Eagle

This story was originally published April 1, 2020 at 1:36 PM.