Sedgwick County reports 196 new coronavirus cases in one day

Nearly 200 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Sedgwick County on Thursday.

The Sedgwick County Health Department’s online dashboard showed 3,114 confirmed cases of COVID-19 — a jump of 196 since Wednesday’s report. That was a 6.7% increase in one day in the cumulative case count.

Active cases increased by 169 — or 9.5% — to 1,950. An additional 27 recoveries were reported — an increase of 2.4% — for a total of 1,131. No new deaths were reported, keeping the county’s death toll at 33.

The county health department also reported 988 more people have been tested, bringing the local total to 47,368. The positive test percentage increased to 12.83% for Wednesday, up from 12.41% on Tuesday. The percentages are a rolling 14-day average.

Of the 196 new cases, all but one are still under investigation for the source of exposure to the virus. One case was determined by epidemiologists to have been infected by a close contact.

More than half of the new cases were patients younger than 40 years old.

The infant to 19-year-old age group had an increase of 33 cases to 430 total cases. The 20-39 age group had an increase of 79 to 1,294. The 40-59 age group increased by 53 to 855. The 60-79 age group increased by 23 to 395. The 80 years old and older age group had an increase of eight to 140.

In other news on the coronavirus pandemic:

Reno County reports first COVID-19 death

The Reno County Health Department said its first COVID-19 death happened Wednesday. Reno County, which abuts Sedgwick County, has reported 167 cases out of 3,854 tests, for a positive rate of 4.33%.

Reno County, which reported its first case on March 20, has more than doubled its cases since the start of July, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

Cowley County records another death

The City-Cowley County Health Department reported on Tuesday that a 34-year-old man died on Friday after testing positive last week.

The county, which has more than 100 cases of COVID-19, has determined through contact tracing and disease investigation that much of the spread is due to the virus being passed from person to person within families.

There have also been isolated cases of players on traveling sports teams or people participating in social activities being exposed to the infection.

“None of the individuals that have taken ill have reported the use of masks, social distancing or personal protective hygiene, rather most thought that the threat of illness was exaggerated or that they would not be exposed,” the health department’s news release stated.

Cowley County has now had two deaths attributed to the coronavirus disease.

Kansas corrections reports eighth facility with COVID-19 case

An inmate over the age of 30 has tested positive at Norton Correctional Facility’s Stockton Satellite Facility, making it the eighth Kansas Department of Corrections site with at least one case. The department said 96 inmates in the east unit at the satellite facility will be quarantined for at least 14 days. Those inmates, along with staff, will also be tested.

KDOC has had more than 1,000 cases in its facilities, including six deaths. The deaths — two employees and four prisoners — have all been at the Lansing Correctional Facility, where there have been 946 cases.

Newman postpones scholarship fundraiser

Newman University has postponed Party on the Plaza: Return to the Renaissance. The event, which had been scheduled for Sept. 19, is the largest fundraiser for student scholarships and typically attracts more than 500 people to campus.

“We think that Party on the Plaza is a great way for sponsors to get on campus and connect with students that are receiving scholarships due to their generosity,” senior development officer Beth Fatkin said in a statement. “We do not think that connection could be replicated online.”

A new date was not announced.

“Rescheduling will be dependent on the ability to really let people come and have a good time,” Board of Trustees Chair J.T. Klaus said in a statement. “Life has too many disappointments right now so we want to get it right. It used to just be about the weather. Now, we have to make sure it will be safe, as well as fun for everyone in attendance.”

This story was originally published July 23, 2020 at 3:50 PM.