Riley County closes June with increase of 167 cases of COVID-19

The Riley County Health Department reported 11 new cases of COVID-19 Tuesday, but says none of the new patients have required hospitalization.

Additionally, six people were added to the recovered list. All told, Riley County is monitoring 139 active cases, with 91 people now listed as recovered. The county has attributed three deaths to the virus, two of those coming in June. Ascension Via Christi continues to monitor one positive patient on a ventilator and two persons under investigation showing symptoms, awaiting test results. The newest patients to test positive all are reportedly experiencing mild symptoms.

As June came to a close, Riley County saw the number of COVID-19 active cases jump from seven active cases on June 1 to 139 on June 30. The cumulative total also increased from 66 to 233. During that same time span 33 people were also added to the recovery list. Negative cases have also more than doubled as testing becomes more readily available. (A comparison from June 30 and June 1, is available below)

Local Health Officer Julie Gibbs hasn’t ruled out further restrictions if the transmission rate isn’t flattened in the coming weeks.

“Statistics over the next few weeks will be very important in determining whether further restrictions are needed before school starts,” Gibbs said. “Riley County has taken action to flatten the curve by placing additional restrictions on bars and restaurants, where the disease is spreading the fastest in our community. Ft. Riley, K-State, and Governor Kelly have also implemented new restrictions. Numbers in July will tell us whether these efforts are working.”

Konza United Way is now handling cloth mask collection and distribution in Riley County. Masks can be dropped off or picked up Tuesday or Thursday at their office at 555 Poyntz Ave Suite 245 between noon and 3 p.m. 

    Riley County Statistics for Tuesday, June 30, 2020:

• Total positive cases in Riley County Residents: 66
• Total Active: 7
• Total Recovered: 58
• Total Hospitalized: 1
• Total deaths: 1
• Pending test results: 109
• Negative test results: 1,105