As Kansas State University students return to campus and area K-12 districts prepare for the start of their Fall semester, Riley County health officials ask residents to do their part in stopping the spread of COVID-19.
Riley County Wednesday reported 32 new positive tests and 4 recoveries since Monday’s report. That makes 153 active cases, 374 reported recoveries and 5 deaths of 532 confirmed cases dating back to March.
Two outbreaks in Riley County were reported Tuesday. The Phi Delta Theta fraternity in Manhattan now has 1 additional positive, for a total of 14. The Blue Valley USD 384 School District Office in Randolph remains at 7 positive people. A new group of 13 Riley County residents is also associated with an outbreak at a wedding that took place in Shawnee County. Additionally, 1 EMS employee and 1 MFD firefighter are included in recent positive cases.
Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan is caring for 1 positive patient and zero person under investigation (PUI) patients at this time. The patient has symptoms severe enough to require hospitalization.
Additionally, Pottawatomie County saw 9 new positive tests and 2 recoveries since Monday. That makes 14 active cases and 118 recoveries of 132 confirmed cases.
Most recent positives are asymptomatic cases and were tested as a result of being close contacts of other confirmed positives, according to Pubic Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Andrew Adams. Local Health Officer Julie Gibbs also adds that the weekly percent positive rate entering this week was 3.58 percent — down from 4.67 percent the prior week. She says she hopes that rate remains at that level amid recent outbreaks.
Gibbs notes USD 383 has plans to move to remote education if the county’s percent positive rate rises above 10 percent of performed tests in a multi-week period. As such, she encourages the ‘great’ compliance with the city’s mask ordinance to continue in an effort to prevent such a shift.
Those in need of a mask can acquire one for free from Konza United Way at 555 Poyntz Ave St. 245 from noon to 3 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The health department is hosting a free testing day at Vineyard Community Church on Thursday, August 20 with help from KDHE and the Kansas National Guard. The testing will occur in three time slots — 8 to 10 a.m., noon to 2 p.m. and 4 to p.m. — though supplies are limited to 500 people. That also goes for the Hy-Vee provided meals being offered at the site as well.
Gibbs says the intent is to get a better picture of what is occurring locally in terms of viral spread. She says no doctors note or symptoms are required and that the testing is not limited to Northview residents despite its presence in that neighborhood.
Gibbs says they anticipate getting test results in 2 to 4 days, in line with the current testing wait times which have dropped in the last few weeks. Previously, Adams noted wait times of a week to up to 14 days in some cases. He says he anticipates they’ll be able to handle the greater test volume without lengthening wait times for results.
Outside of the free testing day, those looking to be tested are asked to contact their health care provider and the Riley County screening line at 785-323-6400. General questions can also be directed to RileyCountyCovid19@gmail.com.
