Coronavirus updates: Kansas adds six COVID-19 deaths, 352 new cases in two days

The Eagle has compiled a list of updates from Wednesday on the coronavirus pandemic for the Wichita area. For updates from Tuesday, click here.

New KDHE coronavirus numbers

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s Wednesday report listed 7,468 cases of COVID-19 in the state with 484 in Sedgwick County. There have been 164 deaths.

The numbers are an increase of 352 cases in the state, 33 cases in Sedgwick County and eight deaths statewide in two days. The last KDHE report on Monday listed 7,116 cases and 158 deaths in the state with 451 cases in Sedgwick County.

There have been at least 704 hospitalizations statewide, but hospitalization data is only available in about 64% of cases. There have been 238 COVID-19 patients admitted to intensive care units, and 108 have required mechanical ventilation. Hospitals have discharged 422 patients.

There have been 50,160 negative tests.

Statewide, patients range in age from infant to 100 years old with a median of 42 and an average of 43. The youngest patient to die of COVID-19 was 36. The oldest was 99, and the median is 82.

Cases have been identified in 84 of the 105 counties.

In the Wichita area, Reno County has 51 cases, Butler County has 19, Harvey County has 11, Sumner County has five, Cowley County has three and Kingman County has zero.

In cases where race and ethnicity data is available, the data shows black or African American, Asian and Hispanic or Latino communities continue to disproportionately affected by the virus and its disease.

KDHE update on coronavirus clusters

The state health department’s COVID-19 report on Wednesday had a more detailed update on statewide clusters.

The 88 clusters in Kansas account for 3,500 cases (about 47% of the total) and 116 deaths (about 71% of the total).

There have been 36 outbreaks in private companies, resulting in 329 cases and four deaths. There have been 26 clusters at long-term care facilities, resulting in 593 cases and 95 deaths. Religious gatherings account for nine clusters with 114 cases and nine deaths.

Meatpacking plants, including one in Missouri that impacts Kansas residents, are responsible for eight clusters with 1,536 cases and four deaths. Three group-living clusters have had 41 cases and no deaths. Three clusters at correctional facilities have resulted in 864 cases and four deaths. Health care facilities have had three clusters with 22 cases and no deaths.

Sedgwick County passes 500 cases, ties record for biggest increase

The Sedgwick County Health Department’s daily coronavirus report on Wednesday showed the county has passed 500 cases with an increase that tied the record for most in one day during the pandemic.

The health department reported 36 new cases of COVID-19 as of Wednesday afternoon, increasing the total to 507. It is tied with the 36 new cases on April 29 for most in a day.

There are discrepancies between the county and state numbers for total cases, which officials say can be due to confirmed cases from one health department not yet being finalized with the other.

No local COVID-19 patients have died since the last report, so the death count remains at 20. There have been 316 patients who have recovered. That number has also not changed since the last report.

A new cluster has been identified at a correctional facility, bringing the total number of local clusters to 10.

Sedgwick County Fair a no go for 2020

The Sedgwick County Fair, scheduled for July 8-11 on the fairgrounds in Cheney, has been canceled. About 30,000 people usually attend the annual event.

Sheriff’s office extends timeline for in-person services

The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office has announced that fingerprinting for concealed carry applications or class III weapon applications and employment have been suspended until June 1. The opening of the jail lobby has also been pushed back to June 1. Also, offender registration for April and May will be conducted via phone by calling 316-660-3939.

Second corrections officer death reported

The Kansas Department of Corrections reported the second death of a staff member. Both occurred this week and were men over the age of 50 serving as corrections supervisors at the Lansing Correctional Facility. At LCF, 816 people, including 88 staff members, have been confirmed with the virus. Roughly 91% of the 728 infected inmates at Lansing are asymptomatic. The Wichita Work Release Facility has had four cases of the virus. Those inmates were moved to Lansing for quarantine in an area separate from the general population. Six cases have also been reported at the Topeka Correctional Facility and then one case at a few other locations.

This story was originally published May 13, 2020 at 12:14 PM.