Kansas State University announced Saturday it is limiting campus housing operations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and state of emergency. An email to students Saturday says students will be able to return to the residence halls to pick up medications and computers only, but prior authorization is required. Jardine Apartments will remain open with limited services available. The university is asking students who live in off-campus housing to remain away from campus communities if possible. Students who meet the following criteria are being allowed to stay in the residence halls: International students who are unable to return home or find a temporary off-campus…
Author: KMAN Staff
OTTAWA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas health officials on Saturday confirmed the state’s eighth novel coronavirus case in a person from Franklin County in eastern Kansas. No details about the person were released, but the news follows on the heels of the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment announcing Saturday morning the state’s seventh case — a woman in her 50s associated with Johnson County Community College. That case is the county’s first believed to have been contracted locally, the release said. Four other COVID-19 cases have been reported in Johnson County. All of them become infected while traveling out of state.…
Fort Riley leaders announced Saturday that a number of measures are being enacted to prevent the potential spread of COVID-19. . All service members returning from leave/official travel will immediately report to staff duty for health screening.. All personnel who traveled outside the U.S. or have come in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 are required to undergo 14 days restriction of movement.. Mandatory hand washing stations at high traffic locations. . Limiting large group gatherings. . If you or any family members feel sick, stay home or in your barracks, notify leadership, and call 1-800-TRICARE. . Commanders/directors…
Manhattan Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Karen Hibbard spoke with KMAN Friday about the cancellation of events in Manhattan in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. She says that some of the 14 conventions and events held during the month of March that the bureau directly works with have already been held, but many have been cancelled. Hibbard says the cancellation of events in Manhattan affects several areas of life such as shopping, restaurants and tourism and that getting back to normal will be important for the economy’s recovery. Among the events that were cancelled was the Kansas State High School…
Potential legislature closing Kansas 22nd District Senator Tom Hawk spoke to KMAN Friday about the possibility of the Kansas legislature closing down in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. He says this step may be taken to prevent the gathering of large groups. Hawk says they have prepared their budget in case a shut down does happen. Kansas Governor Laura Kelly recently announced restrictions on who is allowed in the Kansas State Capitol building. COVID-19 testing supplies Hawk also talked to KMAN about the supply of COVID-19 testing supplies in Kansas, saying he is frustrated with the federal government’s approach. However,…
Release from Kansas Insurance Department. Topeka – The Kansas Insurance Department has been in communication with all major medical insurance carriers offering fully insured health plans in Kansas regarding the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). As of today, The Department can confirm that all major medical insurance carriers for fully insured plans are committed to waiving the cost sharing for Novel Coronavirus testing. “I would like to commend the carriers in Kansas for taking this critical step,” Commissioner Vicki Schmidt said. “While there are number of moving parts in response to the coronavirus, I am pleased the carriers in Kansas took this…
Release from the Attorney General’s office. TOPEKA – A Kansas price-gouging law that prohibits profiteering by raising prices on items consumers find necessary because of the COVID-19 virus outbreak is now in effect statewide, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced Friday. “The Kansas anti-profiteering statute is rarely invoked but is designed to prevent opportunistic greed from overcoming the public need for necessary virus-response products and services during this time of emergency,” Schmidt said. “We take the law’s requirements seriously and will diligently investigate complaints and vigorously prosecute any violations.” The law generally prohibits unjustifiably raising prices for goods and services…
(This is a developing story and will be updated) Update: 3/13/20 5:15 pm Teachers are able to report to work on Monday, but are advised not to bring children. Original story: There will be no classes for USD 383 Manhattan/Ogden students for at least the next two weeks. The district on Friday announced a mandatory closure of all district schools until March 30. The 14-day mandate came from the Riley County Health Department. It applies to all athletic and school related activities in addition to classes. Health Department Director Julie Gibbs and Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Andrew Adams were present…
The Manhattan Conference Center expansion project is moving forward ahead of schedule. Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Karen Hibbard says the project calls for additional 11,000 sq. ft. to the center. That equals to about half of the ballroom. The roof is almost on the expansion and the project is almost to the point where workers do not have to worry about weather delays. The completion date was originally estimated for November of this year, is now pushed up to September. Hibbard says this great news since the expansion will be done in time for K-State football. The center is…
Friday’s program featured a conversation with Ascension Via Christi Hospital President Bob Copple on the COVID-19 strain. We also spoke with Dr. Travis Dierenfeldt with GI Consultants about Colon Cancer Awareness Month. Mayor Usha Reddi also joined us to discuss the city’s response to COVID-19.