Coronavirus updates: Kansas cases rise by 419, number of deaths increase by seven
Intro
The Eagle has compiled a list of news to know on the coronavirus pandemic in the Wichita area on Friday, May 22. For updates from Thursday, click here.
New KDHE coronavirus numbers
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment reported an increase of 419 COVID-19 cases and seven deaths Friday, bringing the total to 8,958 cases and 185 deaths. The increases are from since the KDHE’s last report, on Wednesday.
The state is tracking 99 clusters that account for 4,560 cases, or about 51% of total cases, and 133 deaths, or about 72% of all deaths.
The KDHE reported that the most cluster deaths are at long-term care facilities, where 104 people have died in 26 clusters.
The 10 clusters at meatpacking facilities account for the 2,398 cases, or about 27% of the total, and seven deaths.
Clusters at meatpacking facilities, where federal and state efforts have dramatically increased testing, continue to dominate the increase in cases. Of the 419 new cases, 202 of them were attributed to clusters at meatpacking facilities.
There have been at least 787 hospitalizations and 67,476 negative tests, giving a positive testing rate of 11.7%.
Sedgwick County cases climbed by six to 523. Sedgwick County officials reported 21 deaths as of Thursday.
Sedgwick County’s testing rate is 18.4 per 1,000 people. The statewide testing rate is 26.18 per 1,000 people.
Sedgwick County COVID-19 update
The Sedgwick County Health Department reported an increase of three cases on Friday, from 542 to 545. No new deaths were attributed to COVID-19, keeping the local death count at 21.
Discrepancies between county and state numbers can be due to confirmed cases from one health department not yet being finalized with the other, officials have said.
The number of recoveries increased by seven to 400.
Kansas releases dismal April labor market report
The Kansas Department of Labor released data showing the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate hit 11.2% in April, up from 2.8% in March and 3.2% in April 2019. The national unemployment rate in April was 14.7%.
“April estimates reflect the impact of efforts to contain the coronavirus pandemic. Job estimates fell by 130,400 over the month with reductions in the number of jobs for all major sectors,” labor economist Emilie Doerksen said in a news release. “The leisure and hospitality sector saw a particularly sharp decline, accounting for 50,200 out of the total decrease since March.”
Wichita Public Library reopening
Wichita Public Library locations will reopen with limited in-person services on Tuesday. The libraries will offer pickup holds, public computing and WiFi with limited seating capacity, printing, copying, fax services and Book-A-Librarian technology help.
The first hour of operation Monday through Saturday will be reserved for vulnerable populations, including seniors, pregnant women, those with compromised immune systems and other at-risk populations.
More information is available at www.wichitalibrary.org/covid-19.
Wichita Workforce Center reopening
The Workforce Centers of South Central Kansas will reopen the Wichita location to in-person services on Tuesday by appointment only. The facilities in Butler, Cowley and Sumner counties will remain closed to the public while continuing to provide virtual services.
Appointments can be scheduled at workforce-ks.com/book-an-appointment/ or by calling 316-771-6800.
Staff and customers will be required to wear a mask while inside the Workforce Center. Masks will be provided for customers who do not have one when they arrive for their appointment. Virtual appointments can be scheduled for customers who do not wish to wear a mask.
FEMA providing $5.7 million to Kansas food banks
Three Kansas food banks will benefit from more than $5.7 million in expedited grant funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
On May 20, FEMA obligated the money to the Kansas Division of Emergency Management to cover food purchases and delivery costs in Kansas. The funding will assist the Kansas Food Bank, Second Harvest and Harvesters.
The federal funding must be used to purchase and distribute food that alleviates and prevents immediate threats to public health and safety because of the coronavirus pandemic and cannot be used to support everyday operations.
FEMA will reimburse 75% of eligible costs under its Public Assistance Grant Program. The remaining 25% is paid by KDEM.
Farm Bureau Financial Services providing partial refunds
Farm Bureau Financial Services announced a plan to refund policyholders 15% of Farm Bureau Member’s Choice personal auto premiums for the period of March 14 through May 31.
“Our client/members are driving less, and we’ve seen fewer claims, so we want to refund auto premium,” CEO Dan Pitcher said in a statement. “The giveback represents the largest return of premium in our history. For over 80 years, client/members have relied on us to protect their livelihoods and futures, and to be there when they need us most. There are a lot of unknowns right now, but one thing is certain — we’re here for them.”
Customers do not need to take any action. The premium refund will be distributed starting June 8 as a credit toward auto insurance premium due, electronic funds transfer or a check.
Topeka nursing home to conduct facility-wide testing
Texas-based HMG Healthcare officials committed to facility-wide testing for COVID-19 at Tanglewood Health & Rehabilitation in Topeka. The testing will begin on Tuesday.
“Tanglewood, along with our sister buildings in Salina and Belleville – Smoky Hill Health & Rehabilitation and Belleville Health Care Center – are among the first known facilities in Kansas to begin testing all employees and residents,” company officials said in a news release.
This story was originally published May 22, 2020 at 12:51 PM.