Friday marked the first day since March that Riley County has not confirmed a new positive COVID-19 test.
Health and safety officials spoke to the public via ZOOM and Facebook Live, confirming Riley County is still only recording 20 positive tests. Health Department Director Julie Gibbs says 15 of those cases are active, as 5 have recovered, and 6 pending tests came back negative as the number fell from 18 to 12.
“We are in contact with all of our individuals and so far everyone is doing fine, no hospitalizations,” says Gibbs. “And we hope to report even more recoveries in the next few days.”
Pottawatomie and Geary County’s both report no new positive tests as well, both sitting at 5 positive tests.
Gibbs says this is good news, but encourages residents to continue being vigilant about cleanliness and physical distancing in the meantime. Assistant RCPD Director Kurt Moldrup echoed those remarks, saying the day’s numbers indicate that the community’s sacrifices seem to be working.
“I know it gives me hope that this may be the light at the end of the tunnel that we’re looking for, but it’s still a ways off,” Moldrup says. “That said, we need to be cautious and not let our guards down or relax the standard quite yet — don’t forget that the next two weeks are when we were projected to peak.”
In the meantime, the recently unemployed and furloughed are biding their time waiting to go back to work. Officials, though, say it’s too soon to speculate when they’ll be given the green light.
“[Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary] Dr. Lee Norman has predicted this week and next week to be our two worst weeks in Kansas, so we’re just going to still monitor the situation through next week and, of course, follow the governor’s order,” says Gibbs. “So it’s a little too early to tell right now and we are going to continue to spread the message to stay home.”
Moldrup says those at the Emergency Operations Center want to get there as soon as possible as well, but they have to proceed with caution and make data-driven decisions — noting they also have to await Gov. Laura Kelly’s clearance.
“The important thing to remember is we also don’t want to move too fast and have to back up,” he says. “I think that would be harder for anyone.”
The nation is also in the midst of a time when family gatherings and social events are common, with Easter just around the corner. Acknowledging his own observation of the holiday, Moldrup again asked worshipers to find ways to do so at home.
While there are no size restrictions on gatherings of families in the same household, Moldrup says residents should still keep health and safety guidelines from the CDC and KDHE in mind and adjust their plans accordingly.
“We have no intention as a police department and I don’t think that [among]the command group that this is the desire — even of probably the governor — is to go out there and be checking everyone to make sure they’re all of the same family,” says Moldrup. “It’s really a principle that we’re trying to get across — that’s social distancing, keeping your circle small to slow the spread.”
The Kansas Supreme Court is also convening on Saturday to hear arguments regarding Gov. Kelly’s restrictions on the size of religious gatherings, which she ordered Tuesday. The Legislative Coordinating Council, made up of legislative leaders of both parties — 5 Republicans and 2 Democrats — voted Wednesday along party lines to revoke the order over constitutional concerns. Kelly will argue before an unprecedented remote session of the court that only the full legislature has such authority.
Moldrup also says that whichever way the Kansas Supreme Court rules, it won’t impact their operations in the county and they’ve been in contact with churches around the county encouraging them to voluntarily move to remote services.
“I don’t know of any church around that’s probably even considering [holding in-person services],” he says.
KMAN will air the First United Methodist Church’s Easter service Sunday from 11 a.m. to noon.
Coronavirus questions can be directed to RileyCountyCOVID19@gmail.com. The screening line can also be reached from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. at (785) 323-6400. Resources on coping with mental distress during this time can be found at Pawnee.org.
Westview Community Church is coordinating donations of cloth face masks on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. Distributions will occur next week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and again on Saturday from 9 to noon. They are located at 615 Gillespie Drive.
