Kansas can now test for coronavirus in hours. Results used to take days

The coronavirus will eventually come to Kansas, officials warned Wednesday, but the state can now test patients in a matter of hours.

Gov. Laura Kelly, flanked by her top health and emergency management deputies, during a news conference sought to prepare residents for the virus. It appears a near-certainty that the state will at some point experience cases.

“Really, it’s just a matter of time until we have a positive case in Kansas,” said Lee Norman, the secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

Cases of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, have been appearing with increasing frequency in the United States over the past few days. Eleven deaths in the country have now been attributed to the virus.

Congress on Wednesday moved to approve emergency funding to prepare for and combat the virus. The House in a near-unanimous vote approved an $8.3 billion spending package.

Under the deal, Kansas would receive at least $4 million in grants. State officials said Wednesday they didn’t yet have details.

Norman highlighted the state’s new ability to conduct its own coronavirus testing. As recently as last week, samples had to be tested at a CDC lab. Receiving results could take days.

Now, results will be available within four to six hours.

For caregivers and family members, the short turnaround is a “godsend compared to a five-day turnaround, which is very upsetting for everybody involved,” Norman said.

Kansas can do up to 60 tests a day, Norman said.

Coronavirus is characterized by fever, cough and shortness of breath, though the severity of symptoms can vary widely. The state is asking anyone who develops these symptoms within 14 days of traveling to China, Iran, Italy, Japan and South Korea to stay home and call their healthcare provider. Individuals may also call a KDHE hotline at 1-866-534-3463.

Kelly emphasized that Kansans should wash their hands, cough into their sleeves and avoid touching their faces, as well as stay home if they’re not feeling well.

“It sounds simple, and it is,” Kelly said. “But it’s also effective.”

The governor’s news conference came after officials briefed legislative leaders on preparations for the virus. Senate President Susan Wagle, a Wichita Republican, in a statement expressed appreciation for the briefing and promised to help.

“The Senate is committed to working with Governor Kelly and the House to ensure the proper resources and support is available to address this public health challenge,” Wagle said.

Officials said that they were not requesting additional funding at this time.

The governor said agencies have participated in planning exercises to prepare for cases. Adjutant General Lee Tafenelli said emergency management officials are working with local health departments as well as the federal government.

Tafanelli said during a cabinet meeting this week, Kelly directed agencies to review their continuity-of-operations plan, which guides the state government on how to maintain core functions during emergencies.

“That’s looking at worst-case scenarios,” Tafanelli said. “But again, the governor wants to make sure we’re proactive and we’re looking at the things we can do now to prepare for things that might happen in the future.”