Sedgwick County reports 53 new cases of COVID-19, downward trend in positive test rate

Local public health officials reported 53 new cases of the coronavirus disease in the Wichita area and a downward trend in the positive test percentage on Tuesday.

The Sedgwick County Health Department’s COVID-19 report showed an increase of 53 cases and a total of 6,404. No new deaths were reported, keeping the total at 48.

The positive test has trended downward three days in a row since hitting 12.19% on Friday. The latest number is 11.03% for Monday. The percentages are a rolling 14-day average and are revised as additional test results are reported.

Another 740 people have been tested, bringing the total to 73,315.

Of the 53 new cases, 51 are still under investigation for the source of exposure to the coronavirus. Two cases were close contacts of another confirmed cases.

The increase included seven cases in the infant to 19-year-old age group, 21 cases in the 20-39 group, seven cases in the 40-59 group, 14 cases in the 60-79 group and four cases in the 80 and older group.

Monday’s hospital numbers showed the third week in a row with a decline in total COVID-19 hospitalizations in Wichita, down to 59 from 72 on Aug. 3. However, the number in intensive care increased as the approximate number of ICU beds available decreased.

The 35 COVID-19 patients in the ICU was up from 32 last week and is the highest it has been since tracking by the local health department began June 29.

The increase in ICU patients puts the estimated ICU capacity at the lowest it has been since the county health department changed its hospital reporting method July 20. There are approximately 19 ICU beds available out of the estimated capacity of 208.

The area hospital status assessment is listed at “moderate” with a yellow exclamation point. The term has not been defined by county officials.

This story was originally published August 25, 2020 at 1:50 PM.