Coronavirus updates: Kansas sees 966 more cases and eight deaths

COVID-19 cases increased by 966 while deaths climbed by eight, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment reported Friday.

The new numbers bring total cases to 36,856 and deaths to 419 statewide.

The KDHE also reported 69 new hospitalizations — the biggest jump in at least two months. There have been 2,159 hospitalizations.

Hospitalizations, deaths and percent of positive cases are better indicators of community spread than new cases that can be a result of additional testing, health officials have said.

Hospitalizations have been trending down from August 2-16, according to the KDHE. The data lags five days behind because the most recent data is expected to be incomplete. August 2 is as far back as the KDHE dashboard goes. During that time frame, hospitalizations went from about 18 admissions a day to roughly eight.

Deaths have trended upward, but marginally, during the time span.

The percent of positive cases has mostly been trending up since May 24, the earliest date available.

Of the new cases reported from Wednesday, Sedgwick County accounted for 174 cases of the increase. Sedgwick County has 6,386 cases, the second-highest number behind Johnson County’s 7,058.

Sedgwick County numbers

The Sedgwick County Health Department reported one new death, bringing the total to 48.

Cases increased by 530 for a total of 6,121. Of the new cases, 469 came from the Sedgwick County Jail, which tested all of its inmates last week and recently received the results.

Discrepancies in the Sedgwick County case totals between the state and local health departments can be due to a delay in reporting between the agencies.

Sedgwick County’s percent of positive cases continues to be over the 10% threshold that the White House labeled as being in the “red zone.” Sedgwick County hasn’t been under 10% since July 9, when its rolling 14-day average was 9.89%. The all-time high was more than 14% on July 23.

Neighborhood Night Out canceled

The city of Wichita said the Neighborhood Night Out event has been canceled. The event is usually held the second Tuesday in August but was moved to October over COVID-19 concerns.. The annual event is meant to promote neighborhood safety by encouraging neighbors to get to know each other.

Several people who tested positive attended house parties and bars

The Ellis County Health Department and Fort Hays State University said Friday that several people tested positive for COVID-19 after attending house parties and patronizing bars on August 14-15.

“If you participated in either of these activities between the hours of 8:00 pm and 2:00 am on (August 14-15) you may have come in contact with an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19 and you are directed to monitor yourself for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days,” according to a news release.

This story was originally published August 21, 2020 at 3:22 PM.