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    Via Christi changes visitation rules, Riley and Pott. Counties report new COVID cases

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    By on COVID-19, Local News, Riley County

    The Riley County Health Department is reporting 13 new positive COVID-19 cases as of Wednesday.

    This brings the county’s numbers to 116 active cases, 336 recoveries and five deaths.

    Ascension Via Christi Hospital has one COVID-19 positive patient who is not on a ventilator and one person under investigation.

    As part of its data analysis, RCHD will begin tracking COVID-19 probable cases. A probable case involves someone who had positive antibody test results and those who came into contact with a COVID-19 positive patient and developed symptoms but did not take a test.

    Antibody test results, according to the health department, are valid and specific.

    For more information on taking this test, contact your healthcare provider or the Riley County Screening line at 785-323-6400.

    The Pottawatomie County Health Department as of Wednesday is reporting two new positive COVID-19 cases since Monday, bringing the number of active cases in the county to five.

    Pottawatomie County also has reported 109 recoveries since the pandemic began in March. Additionally, 12 tests are pending and there is one currently known COVID-19-related hospitalization.

    Schools in Pottawatomie County have been informed by the Fire Marshall’s office of emergency drills that drills will need to be performed throughout the school year.

    Tornado drills will need to be performed in September and March if in-person classes are in session and can be done one class at a time.

    Fire drills will also need to be performed if students and staff are inside school buildings.

    School is scheduled to start on August 13th for USD 322 Onaga, August 19th for Flint Hills Christian School, August 20th for USD 323 Rock Creek, August 26th for USD 384 Olsburg Elementary, August 27th for USD 321 St. Mary’s and September 3rd for USD 320 Wamego.

    Ascension Via Christi hospital will allow inpatients to have one designated visitor during their hospital stay beginning Thursday, August 6.

    Inpatient visitors were previously not allowed due to COVID-19 restrictions starting July 7th after a sharp local increase in cases. Active cases have continued to be confirmed, but at lower rates than the more than 18 percent positive rate experienced at the beginning of the spike starting in late June. The local rate is now just over 9 percent of tests coming back positive and the hospital has moved to ‘level B’ restrictions.
    Ascension Via Christi president Bob Copple says visitors will be screened at either the patient entrance or the emergency department entrance before entering the hospital.
    “You’re going to be asked those questions about temperature and general health, coughing, all those things.”
    Outpatients, though, will not be allowed to have visitors. Copple says this is because outpatients tend to have shorter hospital stays.

    Level B: One visitor per inpatient per day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Screening upon entry into the facility.

    • Visitors in primarily inpatient service areas only (Medical, Surgical, OB, ICU)

    • Same visitor (same person) throughout the inpatient stay.

    • Procedure patients (Surgical, endoscopy, cath labs) allowed one visitor per stay

    • Waiting rooms remain closed

    • Visitor travel around the facility should be minimized

    • Waiting rooms closed

    • ED – no visitors – no visitors unless clinically indicated: the pt. Is unable to advocate for self, neurologic cases, dementia, capacity concerns, ↓ age of 18 years, etc.

    • Masking required – yes

    • Outside food delivery – yes, but visitor must deliver to patient

    For more information about Ascension Via Christi Hospital and its policies. visit ascension.org.
    Riley County will also shift away from COVID-19 written updates on Tuesday and Thursdays, instead only providing updates on Monday, Wednesday and Friday — including Wednesday’s live report — aligning with the state’s release schedule.
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