Sedgwick County plans to close mass vaccination, testing sites by the end of April

Sedgwick County plans to close its COVID-19 mass vaccination site at the former downtown library and end mass testing at 4115 E. Harry by the end of April as the virus appears to be abating in the community.

Two months after a brutal January spike that saw a pandemic-high 294 virus patients in Wichita hospitals, the county’s weekly update showed just 21 hospitalized COVID patients on Tuesday — the lowest count since June 2020.

“We are at a much better place today than we have been,” Sedgwick County health officer Garold Minns told the County Commission on Wednesday.

“I suppose the big question that comes to everyone’s mind is, are we over? Can we declare victory and move on? We would all like that. Everyone would like that. I think only time will tell.”

In the meantime, the county is scaling back its pandemic response. The health department will still put on mobile vaccine clinics and offer testing for people who are uninsured by appointment at its clinic at 2716 W. Central.

“The testing landscape has just changed dramatically since the beginning of 2022 with in-home tests being available through the federal government, lots of different testing options covered now by health insurance,” Assistant County Manager Tim Kaufman said.

He said 20 to 50 people on average are still getting vaccinated daily at the former library site. Businesses and organizations that want to host a mobile clinic can still sign up through the county website.

“That’s really probably the most important message that we’ve got here today is that we’re going to continue to respond to this pandemic but it’s going to be a metered response based on what the community needs,” Kaufman said.

He said the county also plans to sunset its COVID-19 dashboard at the end of March.

Fifty-four percent of eligible Sedgwick County residents have been fully immunized against the virus, according to the New York Times vaccination tracker.

Minns cautioned against overconfidence that the virus is on its way out for good.

“I fully expect we’re going to see more variants coming and developing,” Minns said. “I don’t know which ones will be more contagious. I don’t know which ones will lead to another spike here. Maybe none of them.

“England had been in a similar situation where we are now and yet they’re seeing their case numbers go up again.”

On Wednesday, Wesley Healthcare announced the end to COVID-related visitor restrictions at its hospital facilities, although they will remain in place for emergency rooms. Masking is still required for visitors.

“We’re excited our patients can now look forward to having broader support from family and friends as they receive treatment,” Wesley CEO Bill Voloch said. “We want everyone to know that Wesley facilities are safe, welcoming places to seek care.”

Roz Hutchinson, a spokesperson for Ascension Via Christi said their hospitals resumed pre-COVID visitor protocol last week for hospitals and ERs. Masks are still required but patients can now receive two visitors at a time.

This story was originally published March 23, 2022 at 3:02 PM.