Coronavirus updates: Sedgwick County adds seven more cases and one death
The Eagle has compiled a list of updates on the coronavirus pandemic for Thursday, June 11. For updates from Wednesday, click here.
Sedgwick County sees additional death
Sedgwick County health officials reported an increase of one novel coronavirus-related death and seven cases, bringing the totals to 23 and 717.
Active cases in the county continue to be at an all-time high. Active cases are total cases minus recoveries and deaths. Sedgwick County had 221 active cases on Wednesday, the latest day with information available.
Ascension Via Christi saw a peak of 20 hospitalizations in mid-April. On Thursday, a spokesperson said the healthcare system had four hospitalizations. Wesley Medical Center spokesperson Dave Stewart said the hospital has seen a rise in cases in the past week.
“While we have not reached our previous high point in terms of hospitalizations, we remain concerned as fewer area residents are taking appropriate precautions,” Stewart said in an email.
In Sedgwick County, 19,237 people have tested negative.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment reports statewide figures on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The latest report listed 10,812 cases and 240 deaths.
Sedgwick nursing home testing all residents and employees
A nursing home in Sedgwick is testing all of its residents and employees for COVID-19 after an employee who also works at a Haysville facility tested positive.
The Harvey County Health Department said in a news release on Thursday that Diversicare of Sedgwick residents and employees — about 75 people combined — are being tested as a precaution. The testing comes after one employee splits her time with Diversicare of Haysville tested positive.
On Wednesday, the Sedgwick County Health Department announced a coronavirus cluster had been identified at Diversicare of Haysville.
“We do not know of any additional cases at the Diversicare facility in Sedgwick at this time, but we will test all residents and staff out of an abundance of caution,” said Harvey County Health Department Director Lynnette Redington in a statement. “If there were any potential COVID-19 transmission, we want to identify that immediately to care for and protect the health of the individuals.”
The nursing home employee is the only known active case of COVID-19 in a Harvey County resident, health department officials said. The county has had a total of 16 cases out of 940 tests.
$14-plus million coming to Wichita Transit
Wichita Transit will receive more than $14 million in funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, Rep. Ron Estes (R-Kansas) said in a news release. Estes voted in support of the legislation. The money will come from the Federal Transit Administration and will provide $25 billion in funding for transit agencies. Wichita can use the money bus driver wages, personal protection equipment, preventative maintenance and sanitation of vehicles, the release says.
This story was originally published June 11, 2020 at 4:51 PM with the headline "Coronavirus updates: Sedgwick County adds seven more cases and one death."