Sedgwick County cancels St. Patrick’s parade, bans gatherings of 250 people or more

Sedgwick County has banned large gatherings of people until further notice as the coronavirus pandemic continues its spread across the globe.

The ban extends to all events with more than 250 people. It would not include grocery stores, other retailers or schools, but would include church services, according to County Health Officer Garold Minns.

“They can have less than 250,” he said.

Minns is exercising his authority under state law to prohibit public gatherings to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus illness. It’s not clear if or how the ban could be enforced.

“We’re hoping that the community will be responsible and play their role,” Sedgwick County Commission Chairman Pete Meitzner said when asked about enforcement at a news conference Friday.

The announcement came a little over an hour after the state’s sixth case of coronavirus was reported at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita. The patient has been identified as a Butler County man in his 70s who traveled to another country. No further details about him have been released.

Sedgwick County officials would not share any information about that case and did not acknowledge it until a reporter brought it up.

For now, officials are urging Sedgwick County residents to practice good hygiene.

“I want to remind the public that Sedgwick County residents are at low risk for infection currently from COVID-19,” Minns said.

“COVID-19 continues to evolve quickly,” Sedgwick County Health Director Adrienne Byrne said. “We currently do not have any Sedgwick County residents who are positive for COVID-19. This will change, but as of now, we do not have any Sedgwick County residents who are positive for COVID-19.”

With the announcement a number of organizations scrambled to reschedule events. The county announced that the St. Patrick’s Day parade scheduled for noon Saturday in Delano was canceled. The Wichita Symphony Orchestra canceled its weekend concerts. The Wichita Art Museum canceled all events through March 30, although the museum itself remains open.