Riley County health officials confirmed Friday a 23rd death tied to the novel coronavirus.
The 85-year-old patient tested positive for COVID-19 Dec. 28 and died Jan. 8. His death comes amid 130 new positive cases and 64 additional recoveries reported Friday.
The health department says there are 545 active cases, including 23 positive patients and one person under investigation being cared for at Ascension Via Christi Hospital. Three of the positive patients are in the Intensive Care Unit. During KMAN’s In Focus Friday, Bob Copple, president of the Manhattan hospital noted that at least two of the patients in the hospital are from the same family and it’s believed they contracted the virus during a family gathering around the holidays.
The health department also confirmed Friday it will begin vaccinating people in phase two starting next week. So far over 8,000 Riley County residents have signed up to get vaccinated once they become available. The department received 2,500 doses on Thursday for phase one recipients.
