Coronavirus updates: Kansas sees another record increase in reported cases

Here is the Wichita-area news to know on the coronavirus pandemic for Friday, April 24. For updates from Thursday, click here.

New coronavirus numbers in Kansas

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s latest figures show a third consecutive record-setting day of coronavirus cases in Kansas. Friday’s report showed 2,777 confirmed cases, up 295 from the day before. The past three days have each set records for new cases reported.

Deaths were reported at 111, which was one less than the day before after officials concluded one death was not coronavirus related, KDHE Director of Communications Kristi Zears said in an email.

There have also been at least 457 hospitalizations and 20,811 negative tests. The age range of cases goes from an infant to 99. The mean age is 49 and the median is 48.

Sedgwick County rose from 314 cases to 323, the KDHE reported. The Sedgwick County Health Department reported six coronavirus-related deaths as of Thursday.

Sedgwick County has a testing rate of 5.98 per 1,000 people. It’s the lowest among counties with 100-plus cases: Finney County has 107 cases (8.39 per 1,000), Ford County with 350 cases (23.47 per 1,000), Johnson County’s 417 cases (7.45 per 1,000), Leavenworth County with 154 cases (13.28 per 1,000), Lyon County has 126 cases (12.35 per 1,000), Seward County’s 232 cases (23.57 per 1,000) and Wyandotte County with 520 cases (14.02 per 1,000).

John Hopkins University of Medicine reported U.S. deaths have exceeded 50,000, with total U.S. cases at more than 880,000 Friday afternoon.

Wichita pride event canceled

The Wichita Pride Board decided to cancel its June events because of concerns about the coronavirus. The events, called Be Seen in 2020, included a unity march and picnic at Hyde Park. The future of events in September is still being considered.

This story was originally published April 24, 2020 at 12:46 PM.