For the first time, Wichita’s positive test rate drops below the suburban ZIP codes

The positive coronavirus test rate in Wichita ZIP codes is lower than the rate in suburban and rural Sedgwick County for the first time since The Eagle started tracking weekly data.

This week’s update to the Sedgwick County Health Department’s ZIP code map, which tracks coronavirus testing and COVID-19 cases, put the positive test rate at 6.81% in the city. The rate in the rest of the county was 7.97%.

The numbers, which represent last week’s new cases divided by new tests, mark the first time Wichita’s positivity rate has outperformed the suburbs since The Eagle started tracking the weekly data.

The Sedgwick County Health Department’s online ZIP code map is updated on Mondays. It can be accessed at www.sedgwickcounty.org/covid-19/. The county has released the numbers since May 20. The Eagle has recorded the data since June 29, which was before a local health official said cases were “exploding” in the area.

The city implemented a mask requirement that same week and the county health officer issued a mask order days later.

The weekly positive test rates show similar trends in both the city and the suburbs, though the rate for Wichita’s ZIP codes had always been higher than the rest of the county. At some points, Wichita’s rate was more than double that of the suburbs.

Before the city’s rate dropped below the rest of the county on Monday, the gap had closed in recent weeks as Wichita’s rate declined and the rate for the suburban ZIP codes stagnated. While both the city rate and the suburb rate peaked in July, Wichita’s rate is the lowest it has been since July 6. The rate for the rest of the county has increased slightly since early August.

In comparing Wichita with the rest of the county, certain ZIP codes were excluded. Those ZIP codes were ones with very few tests among Sedgwick County residents and that have the majority of their population in other counties, such as the Rose Hill and Conway Springs ZIP codes. But other ZIP codes, such as the Sedgwick and Peck areas, were included because of a higher testing level among their Sedgwick County residents.

All Wichita ZIP codes on the map are collectively included in the Wichita measurement, from 67202 to 67260, plus three ZIP codes that are in the city and include parts of Bel Aire and Park City.

Wichita is home to about three-quarters of the county’s population, which is about 516,000 people.

Another indicator shows several weeks of improvement in city ZIP codes, but only a one-week improvement in the suburbs.

The incidence rate, which is a measure of new cases compared to population, also hit a new low in Wichita ZIP codes on Monday. Calculations from the health department’s data give the city a rate of 6.03 new cases per 10,000 residents last week.

The city’s rate was 9.26 new cases per 10,000 people on July 6 before peaking at 21.25 on July 27. It has declined all but two weeks since then.

The suburbs have a higher rate now than at the start of July, when it was 2.39. The rate in the suburbs also peaked on July 27, though their rate was much lower, at 8.37.

The suburban rate declined at first, hitting 3.99 on Aug. 17. But then it started growing, hitting 7.48 a week ago. The rate dropped last week, checking in at 5.48 on Monday.

The case rate in suburban areas may be under-counted for two reasons. First, Sedgwick County does not release the number of cases in a ZIP code if it has five or fewer cases. Second, Sedgwick County’s data for ZIP code population includes people who live in neighboring counties.

A full list of ZIP codes in Sedgwick County is available below with totals as of Monday and increases since the last week. The report includes the population, number of tests administered, confirmed cases and testing and case rates per 10,000 people.

The county’s online map does not list the number of new tests, new cases, positive test percentage or the rate of cases per 10,000 population. The Eagle calculated those values using the number of cases listed in county data on Monday and Sept. 7.

Testing rates based on 20 or fewer tests are considered unreliable by the county health department and are not included in the city versus suburbs comparison. For total tests and total confirmed cases, if a ZIP code has five or fewer of either category, the county does not report the exact number.

Two ZIP codes — for McConnell Air Force Base and Wichita State University — do not have data because they have no population. County officials have said that members of the military who live in on-base housing are included in the surrounding 67210 ZIP code.

Many of the ZIP code areas in Sedgwick County extend into neighboring counties. The ZIP code population data on the map includes people who live in other counties, but the number of tests and cases only include Sedgwick County residents. The testing rate and the case rate per population includes Sedgwick County residents who were tested compared with the total population of the ZIP code, including other counties.

The Butler County Health Department has its own ZIP code map. Its data is also updated on Mondays. Information on active and total cases in Butler County is included on the list below for three ZIP codes.

Names of towns from other counties are included solely as a reference for the relative location of the ZIP code.

All Sedgwick County ZIP codes and COVID-19 statistics

67001 — Andale: 1,508 people, 210 total tests, 20 confirmed cases. With no new cases and 14 new tests, 0% of new tests were positive. Testing rate of 1,393 people per 10,000 population; case rate of 133 cases per 10,000 people.

67016 — Bentley: 558 people, 73 tests, five or fewer cases. There were two new tests and an unknown case change. Population testing rate of 1,308 per 10,000 people and unknown case rate.

67017 — Benton: 2,408 people, 27 tests, five or fewer cases. There were no new tests and an unknown case change. Population testing rate of 112 per 10,000 people and unknown case rate. (Butler County reports no active cases and 14 total cases in the ZIP code, which is no change from last week.)

67020 — Burrton: 1,692 people, five or fewer tests, five or fewer cases. Unknown change and positive test percentage. Unreliable testing rate; unknown case rate.

67025 — Cheney: 3,780 people, 447 tests, 23 cases. With one new case and 24 new tests, about 14.17% of tests were positive. Population testing rate of 1,183 and case rate of 61 per 10,000 people.

67026 — Clearwater: 4,802 people, 762 tests, 80 cases. With one new case and 38 new tests, about 2.63% of tests were positive. Population testing rate of 1,587 and case rate of 167 per 10,000 people.

67030 — Colwich: 2,861 people, 325 tests, 38 cases. With six new cases and 23 new tests, about 26.09% of tests were positive. Population testing rate of 1,136 and case rate of 133 per 10,000 people.

67031 — Conway Springs: 2,607 people, five or fewer tests, five or fewer cases. Unknown change and positive test percentage. Unreliable testing rate; unknown case rate.

67037 — Derby: 28,364 people, 3,522 tests, 218 cases. With 10 new cases and 173 new tests, about 5.78% of tests were positive. Population testing rate of 1,242 and case rate of 77 per 10,000 people.

67039 — Douglass: 3,255 people, five or fewer tests, five or fewer cases. Unknown change and positive test percentage. Unreliable testing rate; unknown case rate. (Butler County reports zero active cases and nine total cases in the ZIP code, which is no change from last week.)

67050 — Garden Plain: 1,939 people, 193 tests, 20 cases. With one new case and six new tests, about 16.67% of tests were positive. Population testing rate of 995 and case rate of 103 per 10,000 people.

67052 — Goddard: 9,357 people, 1,103 tests, 82 cases. With five new cases and 103 new tests, about 4.85% of tests were positive. Population testing rate of 1,179 and case rate of 88 per 10,000 people.

67055 — Greenwich: 138 people, nine tests, five or fewer cases. There were no new tests and an unknown case change. Unreliable testing rate; unknown case rate.

67060 — Haysville: 14,210 people, 2,036 tests, 161 cases. With nine new cases and 89 new tests, about 10.11% of tests were positive. Population testing rate of 1,433 and case rate of 113 per 10,000 people.

67067 — Kechi: 1,735 people, 255 tests, 17 cases. With two new cases and eight new tests, 25% of tests were positive. Population testing rate of 1,470 and case rate of 98 per 10,000 people.

67101 — Maize: 4,899 people, 670 tests, 30 cases. With two new cases and 31 new tests, about 6.45% of tests were positive. Population testing rate of 1,368 and case rate of 61 per 10,000 people.

67106 — Milton: 272 people, seven tests, five or fewer cases. There were no new tests and an unknown case change. Unreliable testing rate; unknown case rate.

67108 — Mount Hope: 1,601 people, 178 tests, 14 cases. With no new cases and 13 new tests, 0% of tests were positive. Population testing rate of 1,112 and case rate of 87 per 10,000 people.

67110 — Mulvane: 8,891 people, 874 tests, 53 cases. With nine new cases and 80 new tests, about 11.25% of tests were positive. Population testing rate of 983 and case rate of 60 per 10,000 people.

67118 — Norwich: 703 people, five or fewer tests, five or fewer cases. Unknown change and positive test percentage. Unreliable testing rate; unknown case rate.

67120 — Peck: 1,011 people, 53 tests, eight cases. With one new case and three new tests, about 33.33% of tests were positive. Population testing rate of 524 and case rate of 79 per 10,000 people.

67133 — Rose Hill: 6,395 people, 12 tests, five or fewer cases. There were two new tests and an unknown case change. Unreliable testing rate; unknown case rate. (Butler County reports one active case and 39 total cases in the ZIP code, which was a decrease of three active cases and an increase of one total case.)

67135 — Sedgwick: 3,260 people, 130 tests, five or fewer cases. There were no new tests and an unknown case change. Population testing rate of 399 per 10,000 people and unknown case rate.

67147 — Valley Center: 10,537 people, 1,381 tests, 83 cases. With eight new cases and 75 new tests, about 10.67% of tests were positive. Population testing rate of 1,311 and case rate of 79 per 10,000 people.

67149 — Viola: 863 people, 109 tests, five or fewer cases. There were eight new tests and an unknown case change. Population testing rate of 1,263 per 10,000 people and unknown case rate.

67202 — Wichita: 1,671 people, 555 tests, 87 cases. With one new case and 31 new tests, about 3.23% of tests were positive. Population testing rate of 3,321 and case rate of 521 per 10,000 people.

67203 — Wichita: 29,540 people, 5,437 tests, 832 cases. With 30 new cases and 331 new tests, about 9.06% of new tests were positive. Population testing rate of 1,841 and case rate of 282 per 10,000 people.

67204 — Wichita and Park City: 21,783 people, 3,352 tests, 447 cases. With six new cases and 143 new tests, about 4.20% of tests were positive. Population testing rate of 1,539 and case rate of 205 per 10,000 people.

67205 — Wichita: 19,444 people: 2,946 tests, 194 cases. With 11 new cases and 137 new tests, about 8.03% of tests were positive. Population testing rate of 1,515 and case rate of 100 per 10,000 people.

67206 — Wichita: 16,106 people, 3,061 tests, 222 cases. With eight new cases and 183 new tests, about 4.37% of tests were positive. Population testing rate of 1,901 and case rate of 138 per 10,000 people.

67207 — Wichita: 28,313 people, 4,388 tests, 399 cases. With 13 new cases and 281 new tests, about 4.63% of tests were positive. Population testing rate of 1,550 and case rate of 141 per 10,000 people.

67208 — Wichita: 17,703 people, 3,630 tests, 342 cases. With 36 new cases and 249 new tests, about 14.46% of tests were positive. Population testing rate of 2,050 and case rate of 193 per 10,000 people.

67209 — Wichita: 13,380 people, 2,016 tests, 171 cases. With 10 new cases and 83 new tests, about 12.05% of tests were positive. Population testing rate of 1,507 and case rate of 128 per 10,000 people.

67210 — Wichita: 9,722 people, 1,045 tests, 109 cases. With two new cases and 51 new tests, about 3.92% of tests were positive. Population testing rate of 1,075 and case rate of 112 per 10,000 people.

67211 — Wichita: 18,974 people, 3,130 tests, 310 cases. With five new cases and 142 new tests, about 3.52% of tests were positive. Population testing rate of 1,650 and case rate of 163 per 10,000 people.

67212 — Wichita: 44,824 people, 6,295 tests, 496 cases. With 20 new cases and 334 new tests, about 5.99% of tests were positive. Population testing rate of 1,404 and case rate of 111 per 10,000 people.

67213 — Wichita: 23,117 people, 3,134 tests, 331 cases. With 13 new cases and 152 new tests, about 8.55% of tests were positive. Population testing rate of 1,356 and case rate of 143 per 10,000 people.

67214 — Wichita: 14,680 people, 3,648 tests, 363 cases. With eight new cases and 176 new tests, about 4.55% of tests were positive. Population testing rate of 2,485 and case rate of 247 per 10,000 people.

67215 — Wichita: 6,128 people, 794 tests, 79 cases. With five new cases and 44 new tests, about 11.36% of tests were positive. Population testing rate of 1,296 and case rate of 129 per 10,000 people.

67216 — Wichita: 23,223 people, 3,276 tests, 370 cases. With 18 new cases and 163 new tests, about 11.04% of tests were positive. Population testing rate of 1,411 and case rate of 159 per 10,000 people.

67217 — Wichita: 30,313 people, 4,163 tests, 340 cases. With 23 new cases and 217 new tests, about 10.60% of tests were positive. Population testing rate of 1,373 and case rate of 112 per 10,000 people.

67218 — Wichita: 22,499 people, 3,680 tests, 359 cases. With 11 new cases and 216 new tests, about 5.09% of tests were positive. Population testing rate of 1,636 and case rate of 160 per 10,000 people.

67219 — Park City or Wichita: 13,398 people, 2,301 tests, 151 cases. With seven new cases and 200 new tests, about 3.50% of tests were positive. Population testing rate of 1,717 and case rate of 113 per 10,000 people.

67220 — Bel Aire or Wichita: 14,060 people, 2,346 tests, 204 cases. With seven new cases and 147 new tests, about 4.76% of tests were positive. Population testing rate of 1,669 and case rate of 145 per 10,000 people.

67221 — McConnell AFB: zero population, five or fewer tests, five or fewer cases. No change. Unreliable testing rate; unknown case rate.

67223 — Wichita: 582 people, 62 tests, five or fewer cases. There were two new tests and an unknown case change. Population testing rate of 1,065 per 10,000 people and unknown case rate.

67226 — Bel Aire and Wichita: 20,442 people, 3,487 tests, 225 cases. With nine new cases and 228 new tests, about 3.95% of tests were positive. Population testing rate of 1,706 and case rate of 110 per 10,000 people.

67227 — Wichita: 304 population, 57 tests, five or fewer cases. There were two new tests and an unknown case change. Population testing rate of 1,875 per 10,000 people and unknown case rate.

67228 — Wichita: 2,636 people, 359 tests, 21 cases. With one new case and 28 new tests, about 3.57% of tests were positive. Population testing rate of 1,362 and case rate of 80 per 10,000 people.

67230 — Wichita: 11,072 people, 1,790 tests, 111 cases. With three new cases and 88 new tests, about 3.41% of tests were positive. Population testing rate of 1,617 and case rate of 100 per 10,000 people.

67232 — Wichita: 664 people, 27 tests, five or fewer cases. There were no new tests and an unknown case change. Population testing rate of 407 and unknown case rate.

67235 — Wichita: 13,210 people, 1,879 tests, 119 cases. With five new cases and 94 new tests, about 5.32% of tests were positive. Population testing rate of 1,422 and case rate of 90 per 10,000 people.

67260 — Wichita State University: zero population, five or fewer tests, five or fewer case. No change. Unreliable testing rate; unknown case rate.

67543 — Haven: 2,029 people, five or fewer tests, five or fewer cases. Unknown change and positive test percentage. Unreliable testing rate; unknown case rate.