Coronavirus updates: Kansas sees second-largest increase in cases and one more death
The Eagle has compiled news to know on coronavirus and COVID-19 from Saturday for the Wichita area. For updates from Friday, click here.
New Kansas coronavirus numbers
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment on Saturday reported 4,746 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, up 297 from the day before. Deaths rose by one to 131.
The jump is the second-largest single-day increase reported in Kansas. On Thursday, the state reported a 500 case increase.
Of the 297 cases, Ford County cases accounted for 68 and Finney County added 65. Together, they accounted for about 45% of the increase. Federal efforts to keep meat-packing facilities operating has led to additional testing in both of those counties.
Wyandotte County also climbed by 45, or roughly 19% of the new cases.
There have been at least 541 hospitalizations and 30,196 negative tests. Roughly 13.6% of people tested come back positive.
Patients in Kansas, both hospitalized and non-hospitalized, range in age from infant to 99 years old. The average age is 45 and the median is 44. Patients who have died range in age from 42 to 99 with a median of 81.
Sedgwick County, which releases its numbers after the KDHE, reported an increase of 10 cases to 418 and one additional death, bringing the total to 12. Six deaths have been reported from a cluster at the Clearwater Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center.
Sedgwick County’s testing rate is 8.28 per 1,000 people. The statewide testing rate is 11.99 per 1,000 people.
Sedgwick County remains the lowest of testing per 1,000 people among nine counties with at least 100 cases: Wyandotte County, 755 cases and testing rate of 20.68; Ford County, 770 cases and testing rate of 53.84; Seward County, 539 cases and testing rate of 56.42; Johnson County, 486 cases and testing rate of 10.37; Finney County, 451 cases and testing rate of 25.61; Sedgwick County, 391 cases (using KDHE numbers) and testing rate of 8.28; Leavenworth County, 386 cases and testing rate of 21.2; Lyon County, 245 cases and testing rate of 20.73; and Shawnee County, 126 cases and testing rate of 17.01.
The data shows black communities and Hispanic or Latino communities continue to be disproportionately hit by the disease.
This story was originally published May 2, 2020 at 1:12 PM.