Coronavirus updates: Sedgwick County adds 2 deaths, 2 clusters, 50 new cases of COVID

Local public health officials reported two new deaths attributed to the coronavirus disease, two more clusters and 50 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday.

The Sedgwick County Health Department’s COVID-19 dashboard showed 38 deaths as of Tuesday, which is an increase of two. There have now been 3,790 total cases, which is an increase of 50.

Active cases rose by 26 and now total 2,442. Another 22 recoveries were reported, bringing the total to 1,310.

The cluster count rose by two as outbreaks were reported in Wichita at the Sedgwick County Jail and Avita Assisted Living and Memory Care. The 24 total clusters in the county include 11 outbreaks at nursing homes, eight at businesses, three at religious institutions and two at correctional facilities.

Clusters are responsible for 29 of the county’s deaths from COVID-19.

Epidemiologists have not identified the source of exposure for any of the 50 new cases.

Five of the new cases were patients between the ages of zero and 19 years old. The 20-39 age group added 23 cases. The 40-59 age group has 15 more cases. Five of the new cases are in the 60-79 age group. Two cases were patients 80 years old or older.

Another 620 people have been tested, bringing the county’s total to 51,721.

The percent of coronavirus tests that come back positive continued its downward trend. It hit 12.48% on Monday, which is down from 12.51% on Sunday. It had peaked at 13.81% on Thursday. The numbers are 14-day rolling averages.

In other news on the coronavirus pandemic:

Red Cross shortage of plasma

The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency shortage of COVID-19 convalescent plasma. The plasma is a type of blood donation collected from people who have recovered from the coronavirus disease. The blood contains antibodies that may help patients who are fighting the virus.

The demand for convalescent plasma has more than doubled over the last month, officials said in a news release. People who have fully recovered from COVID-19 can sign up to donate blood RedCrossBlood.org/plasma4covid.

People who donate blood between Aug. 1 and Sept. 3 will receive a $5 Amazon gift card, courtesy of Amazon.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities include:

Wichita Blood Donation Center, 707 N. Main St

• Mondays, 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Fridays and Saturdays., 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Derby

• Aug. 15: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1409 S. Rock Rd.

Garden Plain

• Aug. 10: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., St. Anthony’s School, 635 N. Main St.

Wichita

• Aug. 7: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Parts and Distribution, 7121 SW Blvd
• Aug. 9: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Countryside Christian Church, 1919 S Rock Rd
• Aug. 9: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., All Saints Church, 3205 Grand
• Aug. 10: 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., St. Jude Catholic Church, 3130 N. Amidon
• Aug. 11: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., LifeChurch West, 3210 N Maize Rd.
• Aug. 13: 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Sedgwick County Employees, 525 N. Main
• Aug. 14: 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Sedgwick County Employees, 525 N. Main

KDHE amends travel quarantine list

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has amended its travel quarantine list, dropping Arizona, the country of Bahrain and the territory of French Guiana. Their removal is effective Tuesday, so anyone who traveled to those areas prior to Tuesday may still be subject to a quarantine. Florida is now the only state on the list.

The list includes travel to Florida on or after June 29, Arizona between June 17 and July 27, cruise ship or river cruise travel since March 15 and international travel to Bahrain or French Guiana between July 14 and July 26. It also includes international travel on or after July 14 to countries with a CDC Level 3 Travel Health Notice, including China, Iran, the European Schengen area, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland and Brazil. International travelers must follow CDC guidance and protocols.

“It’s important to remember that traveling comes with risks,” Dr. Lee Norman, KDHE Secretary, said in a statement. “We encourage those thinking about traveling to review their options, determine its necessity and if choosing to go, remember to still take precautions: wear a mask, socially distance and avoid mass gatherings.”

This story was originally published July 28, 2020 at 1:55 PM.