Kansas reports second coronavirus death, rising rate of COVID-19 patients
The second death from coronavirus COVID-19 was reported Saturday by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, along with a rising number of positive tests for the disease.
KDHE disclosed the death in a daily numeric update report.
A spokesperson for the department could not immediately be reached and the only detail listed on the report was that the deceased was a resident of Johnson County.
The previously reported death was a Wyandotte County resident in his 70s who lived in a long-term care facility. He died March 12 and his diagnosis was made after his death.
The number of positive cases of coronavirus infection has risen dramatically in the past week despite widespread closures of schools and businesses and recommendations that people stay home as much as possible to avoid spreading the virus.
On March 14, the state reported six residents tested positive for COVID-19, including the Wyandotte County man who had died.
On Saturday, seven days later, the number of positive cases was reported at 55, including the two deaths.
It also marked an increase of 11 new cases since Friday’s report. It’s the third consecutive day with double-digit increases.
Most of the new cases came in the Kansas City area, with four new cases in Wyandotte County for a total of 13 and two in Johnson County, bringing the total there to 25.
Leavenworth County cases rose from two to four, while Reno, Mitchell and Riley counties reported their first cases on Saturday.
The first coronavirus case in Kansas was reported on March 7. Since then, Kansas has averaged roughly 3.9 new cases per day.
Contributing: Michael Stavola with The Wichita Eagle
This story was originally published March 21, 2020 at 2:15 PM.
