Coronavirus updates: Active cases of COVID-19 jump 4.8% in Sedgwick County
The Sedgwick County Health Department reported increases in total cases of COVID-19, active cases and recoveries on Thursday.
The county’s coronavirus pandemic dashboard showed 2,386 cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, an increase of 93 or 4.1%.
There are 1,361 active cases, 62 more than on Wednesday, or a 4.8% increase. There have been 993 recoveries, an increase of 31 or 3.2%. The number of deaths remained at 32.
All the new cases are still under investigation by epidemiologists to determine the source of exposure. More than half of the 93 new cases were patients under the age of 40. The infant to 19-year-old age group increased by 17 to 330 cases. The 20-39 age group increased by 36 to 977. The 40-59 age group increased by 29 to 646. The 60-79 age group increased by six to 308. The 80 and older age group increased by five to 125.
An additional 903 people were tested, bringing the total number to 41,987. The positive coronavirus test rate increased to 10.85% for Wednesday, up from 10.01% on Tuesday.
The Tuesday number had been revised down from a 10.61% positive test rate. The figure is a 14-day rolling average.
The county updates hospitalization information on Mondays, though the statistic for the approximate number of available intensive care unit beds was removed on Thursday. No explanation was immediately provided.
No new coronavirus clusters were identified.
In other news on the pandemic:
Harvey County identifies cluster
The Harvey County Health Department has identified its first cluster of COVID-19 cases at the Schowalter Villa retirement facility in Hesston, according to a news release. Seven staff members of the facility have tested positive. There are no known cases among residents.
Cowley College requires face masks
Cowley College announced in a news release that face coverings will be required on all campus locations starting Monday. The directive includes all students, staff, faculty and visitors while they are on campus.
Employees do not need to wear a mask if they are “in their typical work area while not directly interacting with the public in face-to-face exchanges. There will also be medical exemptions and an exemption for “family units,” which includes athletes.