Positive COVID test rate drops below 6% for the first time in months in Wichita area

Another COVID-19 death has been reported in the Wichita area as a the local positive coronavirus test rate dropped below 6%.

The Sedgwick County Health Department reported one new death and 31 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, bringing the pandemic totals to 69 dead and 7,695 infected. An additional 457 people have been tested, bringing the total to 90,691.

The positive test rate hit a two-and-a-half-month low at 5.94% for Monday, which was down from 6.19% on Sunday. It was the first time the positivity rate was below 6% since June 26, when it was 5.78%.

The rate, which is a 14-day rolling average, peaked at 14.06% on July 23.

Of the 31 new cases, epidemiologists have only identified the source of exposure for one patient. That person was a close contact of another confirmed case. The 30 other cases are still under investigation.

There were five new cases in the infant to 19-year-old age group. The 20-39 group added 12, the 40-59 group added 11 and the 60-79 group added three. There were no new cases among patients 80 and older.

No new coronavirus clusters were reported, and the outbreak death count did not increase.