One death, at least 26 COVID-19 cases attributed to newly reported Wichita clusters

Three more clusters have been reported at long-term care facilities in Sedgwick County, officials said Thursday.

All three are in Wichita and have resulted in at least 26 cases and one death. At least 70% of Sedgwick County’s 38 deaths have been attributed to long-term care facilities where there have been 11 reported clusters.

The three latest clusters in Wichita were announced in a joint news release.

Reflection Living, 1377 N. Iroquois, has had seven cases, with five being residents and two staff.

“The clinical team implemented infection control procedures following the recommended guidelines and received a zero-deficiency infection control survey in all 5 of our homes from Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services prior to the cluster,” Regional Manager Kristy Tuner said in the release.

Platinum Care Homes, 5701 E. 17th St., has had fewer than five cases. Residents and staff will be re-tested this week, the release says.

Homestead of Wichita, 12221 W. Maple, reported a resident death and 18 cases — nine residents and nine staff. Two rounds of testing have been done, testing all residents and staff.

Homestead of Wichita, which is under Midwest Health, is currently caring for eight asymptomatic residents.

“All eight are residents of our memory care neighborhood, which is a contained area specially designed to care for seniors with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia,” Midwest Health marketing director Ali Ellis said in the release. “All COVID-19 positive residents in our care initially tested positive on July 17 and no additional residents have tested positive since.”

This story was originally published July 30, 2020 at 1:33 PM.