Hospital officials are asking people to continue following recommended COVID-19 precautions as 17 positive patients are receiving treatment at Ascension Via Christi.
According to a Friday release by Hosptial President and CEO Bob Copple, COVID patients make up more than 40 percent of all admitted. Five of those 17 patients are receiving mechanical ventilation support.
Copple says the vast majority of those are unvaccinated, and vaccinated patients seeking treatment on average have additional significant health issues aside from COVID. Just Wednesday, 13 were hospitalized.
He says the situation has led to the postponement of multiple elective surgeries and has taxed outpatient services. Copple urges residents stay home if symptomatic, wear a mask in public, and to get vaccinated.
Currently, no omicron variant cases have been identified. As of Wednesday’s report, 221 active COVID cases were recorded for Riley County. The percent positivity rate for the week ending December 25 was 8.16 percent, up from 7.44 percent the prior week.
The two week percent positivity rate was 7.78 percent, up from 7.28 percent.
If you need a COVID-19 test, call 785-323-6400. Those looking to be vaccinated can call 785-565-6560.
See the Riley County Health Department website for additional information and resources here.
