Riley County has now reported its first death attributed to coronavirus.
Health Department Director Julie Gibbs says the patient was a Manhattan man in his 30s who tested positive for coronavirus earlier this month. He was tested for COVID-19 in late April after seeking medical care for an underlying health condition. The patient, whose name has not been released was being treated at Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan until last week, when he was transferred to a Wichita hospital.
Health officials say it’s likely he contracted the virus from community spread as the man was not a known contact of another positive patient and did not travel outside the county.
Gibbs offered condolences to the patient’s family and friends Tuesday saying “this tragedy affects all of Riley County, and we will only get through it by working together and supporting each other.”
Riley County reported no new positive cases Tuesday and has now totaled 58 cases, 11 of which are active and 46 who have recovered. Pottawatomie County remained steady with 21 cases, a third of which were listed as active or probable cases while Geary County totaled 16 cases.
The health department also noted earlier Tuesday that it will now be providing coronavirus statistics on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays going forward, rather than daily.
