Sedgwick Co. active COVID-19 cases double, positive test percent quadruples since reopening
In the three weeks since the phased-in coronavirus reopening plan was abandoned in Kansas, Sedgwick County’s active cases of COVID-19 have more than doubled and the percentage of positive tests has more than quadrupled.
On May 26, Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed a Republican-backed bill designed to greatly limit her emergency powers to deal with the pandemic. The veto also meant that her phased approach to reopening the state’s economy ended, though counties could implement their own restrictions.
That day, there were 118 active cases of COVID 19 in Sedgwick County, according to the county health department’s online dashboard. The rolling two-week average of tests that were positive was 0.99%.
On Tuesday, there were 252 active cases and a positive testing percentage of 4.03%.
Sedgwick County’s active cases and percentage of positive tests had both declined for most of May since peaking at 176 active cases and a 12% positive testing percentage in April. But they started increasing again in late May, and the apparent second wave of the pandemic has continued into June.
The county’s COVID-19 dashboard listed 27 new cases on Tuesday. There were 15 new recoveries and no new deaths, so the number of active cases increased by 12. The positive testing percentage increased by 1.12%.
There have now been 791 total cases, 514 recoveries and 25 deaths. There are 252 active cases.
There have been 21,587 people tested in the county, an increase of 588 from Monday.
Of the 27 new cases, epidemiologists believe six were infected through community spread. Eleven of the patients had close contact with another confirmed case. The other 10 cases are still under investigation.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s reopening metrics show spread of the disease continues to decline in Kansas while it is on the rise in Sedgwick County.
The KDHE’s report on Monday showed Sedgwick County as having the lowest level of testing compared to population of the 10 counties with at least 100 cases. A map shared by the governor showed Sedgwick County is the only one of the 10 counties where the daily case rate trend is increasing.
“Masks work, social distancing works,” Kelly said in a tweet with the map. “Let’s continue to be cautious so we can protect our health, and get back to work and back to school.”
Local hospitalization data is updated weekly, which county officials say is to ensure the accuracy of the data. Three COVID-19 patients were hospitalized last week and two patients were discharged. It was the third week in a row with more hospital admissions than discharges. There have been 118 hospitalizations and 99 patients discharged since the pandemic hit Sedgwick County. The area hospital status assessment is listed as “good.”
In other Wichita area and Kansas news on the coronavirus pandemic:
Mobile testing in Sedgwick County
The Sedgwick County Health Department is offering mobile testing from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday at the PIX Community Center in Mulvane, 101 E. Main. Residents of both Sedgwick and Sumner counties may be swabbed for testing.The mobile testing team will be at the Valley Center Community Center from 9 a.m. to noon on Monday and the Clearwater Senior & Community Center from 9 a.m. to noon on June 25.
Topeka area funerals connected to coronavirus cases and a death
The Shawnee County Health Department said in a news release that 41 cases of COVID-19 and one death have been linked to funerals and visitations in the county. The people infected come from five different counties.
“We must stay diligent with conducting our own personal risk assessments when attending events such as funerals and larger family gatherings,” said Linda Ochs, director of Shawnee County Health Department, in a statement. “As always please continue to practice social distancing when possible, wear a mask when able to help lessen the spread of the virus and use every day preventative measures. And most of all – if you are sick, do not attend a funeral, and contact your primary care provider.”
Harvey County moves to ‘Phase Out’ of COVID-19 restrictions
The Harvey County Commission voted Tuesday to move to its final phase of restrictions. The “Phase Out” plan starts Wednesday and eliminated the restrictions on mass gathering, previously set at 45 people, according to the Harvey County Reopening Plan. Under the plan, visitations to long-term care facilities will still be prohibited through June 23. Harvey County, which abuts Sedgwick County, has 14 reported cases, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
Contributing: Michael Stavola of The Eagle.
This story was originally published June 16, 2020 at 4:05 PM.