Positive test rate rises above 10% in Sedgwick County ahead of Wichita school meeting

The positive coronavirus test percentage crept back above 10% on Thursday ahead of the Wichita school board meeting to decide whether students can attend classes in person.

The Sedgwick County Health Department reported a positive rate of 10.21% for Wednesday, the most recent day with data available. The revised rate for Tuesday was 9.73%. The percentages are a rolling 14-day average.

The rate has trended downward after peaking at 14.03% on July 23.

The positive test rate was the only pandemic indicator discussed by the school board as a criteria for reopening schools. Their discussions on Monday leaned toward keeping high school classes online only with a rate above 10%. A final decision is expected at a 6 p.m. Thursday meeting.

The county health department reported 102 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, which brings the cumulative total to 5,591. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment on Wednesday listed the county’s case total at 6,212. The KDHE only reports updates on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Sedgwick County no longer tracks active cases or recoveries.

No new deaths were reported by the county. Updated hospitalization statistics are only reported on Mondays. An additional 804 people have been tested, bringing the total to 68,717.

Eight of the new coronavirus patients were children or teenagers. The 20-39 age group had the most new cases at 49. There were 31 new cases in the 40-59 age group, nine new cases in the 60-79 age group and five new cases among patients 80 years old and older.

This story was originally published August 20, 2020 at 2:53 PM.