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Updated Daily: What We Know So Far About COVID-19 In Kansas

cdc.gov

With the situation regarding the COVID-19 pandemic changing rapidly, we’re compiling news and information here about COVID-19. For more community updates, information about vaccines, reopening plans and public health orders, check out our COVID-19 Resource Center.

How many known cases are in Kansas?

As of June 9, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment has confirmed 315,500 cases of COVID-19 (+401 since last report) and 5,103 deaths (+3). The two-week positive test rate is 2.89%. 

Sedgwick County, which includes confirmed cases not finalized in KDHE's count, says as of June 10 there have been 48,472 confirmed cases(+14 since last report) and 636 deaths (+0). The positive test rate is 3.2%. The county does not report active cases or recoveries. 

The U.S. has had more than 33.4 million confirmed cases of COVID-19, and more than 598,000 deaths. 

What's the status of the vaccine?

Kansas is currently vaccinating anyone 16 and older under Phase 5 of the state's vaccination plan. Adolescents 12 and older can receive the Pfizer vaccine with a parent or guardian's permission.

You can find more about the logistics of the vaccine rollout here. And, find answers to some frequently asked questions — including how safe the vaccines are — here

As of 06/09, 1,251,351 Kansans have received the first dose of vaccine. 43% of Kansans have received at least one dose; 36.5% are fully vaccinated. Find vaccine providers here.

Credit kansasvaccine.gov

How do I get tested for COVID-19?

If you are experiencing symptoms and think you may have been exposed to the coronavirus, contact your regular doctor to discuss whether testing might be needed. (Don’t show up unannounced, say health care providers.)

If you don’t have a regular doctor, Wesley Healthcare Chief Medical Officer Lowell Ebersole says you can visit one of the hospital’s facilities for screening — but again, call ahead first.

Here's what KU Med's infectious disease expert says to do if you feel sick.

You can find free, walk-up testing sites that don't require appointments at gogettested.com/kansas. Testing is available for people who aren't experiencing symptoms.

The Sedwick County Health Department offers free tests at several sites around the county, as well as mobile testing services, to residents even if they don't have symptoms. Call 316-660-1022 to schedule an appointment.

Some community health clinics in Wichita also are offering free testing by appointment, including HealthCore Clinic. 

How do we prevent the spread of the virus?

Basically, health leaders are still recommending good hygiene, social distancing, and face masks — even after you get vaccinated.

Gov. Laura Kelly issued a second statewide mask mandate in November that she's hopeful will lead to more compliance than an earlier order signed in July. 

The city of Wichita allowed its mask mandate to expire in October, but is allowing Sedgwick County to enforce its health order within city limits. 

KDHE still recommends staying home when possible to avoid exposure to the virus, washing your hands frequently, and avoiding touching your face.  

What have schools done in response?

After Gov. Kelly closed all schools in March 2020, students at many Kansas school districts returned to classrooms last month. Wichita Public Schools is currently using a hybrid model, with some students learning in-person and others taking classes remotely.

The Wichita Journalism Collaborative is tracking the status of area school districts here.

Many state universities also returned to campuses this fall, with precautions

What is the coronavirus?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines coronaviruses as "a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases."

The “novel coronavirus” is the seventh known coronavirus the U.S. has dealt with, says Dr. Margaret Hagan with Infectious Disease Consultants in Wichita. Four strains are mild and basically cause the common cold. One strain causes the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) that broke out in 2002; another causes the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), a more severe illness that broke out in 2012.

The most recent strain of the coronavirus can lead to Coronavirus Disease 2019, or COVID-19. Symptoms include shortness of breath, fever and coughing.

How does the virus spread, and who’s at risk of getting it?

Coronaviruses spread primarily through respiratory droplets — like through coughing and sneezing, says Sedgwick County epidemiologist Kaylee Hervey. Anyone can be at risk of infection.

Hervey says much as 80 percent of people who are infected (and infectious) won’t exhibit any symptoms.

“That in a sense makes it more dangerous than the flu in that asymptotic people may be spreading it,” she told an Engage ICT: Democracy On Tap panel.

State data shows black Kansans are three times more likely to test positive for COVID-19 than white Kansans, and more than seven times more likely to die from the virus. Latinos are also about three times as likely as white people to test positive for COVID-19. 

Other information on COVID-19

We’ll be updating this page daily as more information becomes available. Other valuable websites for you to stay informed include:


Have any questions you want to see answered by one of KMUW’s reporters? Send us an email at news@kmuw.org. 

Copyright 2020 KMUW | NPR for Wichita

KMUW News is a team of dedicated on-air and digital reporters working to tell the stories of Wichita and its residents.