Local health officials say a wedding held in Riley County is the latest source of a COVID-19 outbreak, responsible for 22 of the 27 confirmed positive cases since Wednesday’s report.
The wedding took place Oct. 17 and contact tracing staff are calling all known contacts in Riley County, but most guests were residents of other counties. The newlyweds have contacted all wedding guests to inform them of the outbreak.
The health department also reported 16 additional recoveries. There are currently 82 active cases in Riley County and no patients currently in the hospital.
Anyone who has symptoms, is a close contact of a positive patient, or would like information about how to get tested should contact their health care provider or call the Riley County Screening Line at 785-323-6400. The Screening Line is staffed by nurses and is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The health department on Friday reiterated the importance of quarantines for close contacts.
If you have had close contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19, you are required to quarantine for 14 days after the last time you were in close contact with that person. This requirement is in place even if you test negative for COVID-19 during the quarantine period.
“Close contacts cannot test out of quarantine,” said Local Health Officer Julie Gibbs “Even if you test negative at an early point during the 14-day period, you need to stay home and complete the quarantine. The virus typically develops between 6-10 days after exposure, but can take up to 14 days in some patients.”
For people living in the same household, only the person who had close contact with a positive patient is required to quarantine. You should stay away from the person in quarantine as much as possible, and avoid sharing sleeping quarters and bathrooms. If symptoms develop, seek medical attention and follow the recommendations of your doctor.
Quarantine is used to keep someone who might have been exposed to COVID-19 away from others. Quarantine helps prevent spread of disease that can occur before a person knows they are sick or if they are infected with the virus without feeling symptoms. People in quarantine should stay home, separate themselves from others, and monitor their health.
