Riley County continues to see a rise in new cases of the novel coronavirus.
As of Monday, the health department was monitoring 134 active cases. While hospitalizations remain low, the health department is monitoring at least one individual on a ventilator and one person who is an inpatients awaiting their test results. Riley County is reporting that 85 people have made recoveries and there continue to be three deaths attributed to the virus.
“Currently we’re sitting at an 8.5 percent positive rate and about 52 percent of our cases are from the 18 to 24 year old age range, with an average age of about 31. Most of our positives (about 57 percent) have been males,” said Riley County Health Department Director Julie Gibbs during the KMAN Morning Show Monday.
The percent positive for last week alone was 18.75 percent, meaning 1 out of 5 tests came back positive. Two weeks ago, the week’s rate was 2.03 percent.
The number of active cases in Riley County has more than tripled from what was reported just 10 days prior. On June 19, the county was monitoring 38 active cases. Part of the increase is due to more testing, but is also attributed to outbreaks (defined as five or more positive tests) at some bars in Aggieville, K-State. and Riley County EMS, which as of Monday had seven confirmed positive cases of COVID-19.
The health department says two of the pending EMS employee tests came back negative and one more person has been tested. Results will be shared when they are available. Any patients who were transported by any EMS staff who later tested positive will be contacted by the Riley County Health Department.
Riley County continues to be in Local Health Order No. 13, which caps mass gatherings at 50 and keeps restaurants and bars operating at 75 percent capacity. That remains in effect until at least July 6. After that, Gibbs says it’s uncertain what restrictions could be relaxed, and says it’s more likely that things will get more restrictive or stay the same.
“The way things are going right now, it’s not looking very promising. We possibly will keep that mass gathering size at 50. We might have to put on tighter restrictions especially with the restaurants and bars. This whole week, we’ll definitely be evaluating the situation,” she said.
The Manhattan City Commission is also planning Tuesday to discuss a possible mask ordinance citywide. It’s one of two discussion items on Tuesday’s agenda.
The health department is sharing updates via its Facebook page Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 4:15 p.m. Additionally, health officer Gibbs is giving live updates on the KMAN morning show Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7:03 a.m.
Riley County Statistics for Monday, June 29, 2020:
- Total positive cases in Riley County Residents: 222
- Total Active: 134
- Total Recovered: 85
- Currently Hospitalized: 1
- Total deaths: 3
- Pending test results: 174
- Negative test results: 2,509
