(RILEY COUNTY, KS – January 27, 2021) Riley County has identified 59 new positive coronavirus cases and 20 additional recoveries since the last report on Monday, January 25, 2021.
Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan is caring for 11 positive patients at this time. Three of the positive patients are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
All licensed healthcare professionals and individuals in Phase 1 in Riley County have had the opportunity to be vaccinated. Last week we began Phase 2, all individuals over 65 are now eligible. We released guidance Tuesday night in regard to how they will be notified.
Vaccination Protocol for 65 and older
For the next rounds of vaccines, people 65 and older with severe medical conditions (*please see list below) will be the first priority. People in that age group who do not have qualifying medical conditions will get their vaccines according to the order in which they signed up.
Clinics for people age 65 and older will include other eligible recipients, including people from Phase 1. Healthcare workers and first responders will be getting first doses and second "booster" doses.
At no point in time have we randomly chosen who will be vaccinated. We apologize for the confusion.
Those who signed up to receive the vaccine will be contacted directly by the health department with information on how and when to receive the vaccine's first dose.
We will continue to send vaccine notifications to a limited number of people through text, email, and phone to eligible people who signed up. The notice will include links to more information and forms to print and fill out before you arrive for your vaccine. Forms will be available on-site as well.
To date, more than 10,000 people have registered to receive the vaccine. We encourage those who have not to do so. You can sign up to receive the coronavirus vaccine through our website here: www.RileyCountyKS.gov/VaccineRequest or call Monday through Friday 8 a.m.-noon and 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.: (785) 565-6560. Each individual needs to register. Please be patient as we are experiencing a high volume of requests.
Phase 1 includes:
· Healthcare workers
· Long Term Care Facilities
· Emergency Medical Services
Phase 2 includes:
· Adults 65 and Older
· First Responders
· K-12 Teachers and Staff
· Licensed Child Care, Preschools, After School Care, Child Care Licensing Staff
· Emergency Shelter and Domestic Violence Homes, Adult Group Care Homes, Residential Treatment Centers, Adult, and Child Protective Services
Riley County Statistics for Wednesday 27th:
· Total positive cases in Riley County Residents: 5,886
· Total active: 295
· Total recovered: 5,561
· Total deaths: 30
POSITIVE RATE
Week 3 (January 17th - January 23rd) 8.3%
- 190 positive
- 2276 total test
Week 2 (January 10th - January 16th): 8.3%
- 254 positive
- 3,071 total test
Two-week average: 8.3%
5,347 total tests
The next written update will be published on Friday, January 29.
KDHE continues to provide testing for all Kansans with no out of pocket fees. As part of the Kansas Unified Testing Strategy, WellHealth will continue to offer free saliva-based testing today and every day, except Sundays, holidays, and severe weather days from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at CiCo Park in Manhattan. This testing has been extended through March 20, 2021. Appointments are recommended and can be made online at https://www.gogettested.com/kansas . In addition to WellHealth, if a person has a referral from their doctor's office and makes an appointment, they can receive rapid testing at the Health Department.
*Cancer, chronic kidney disease, obesity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, down syndrome, heart conditions such as cardiomyopathies, immunocompromised state from solid organ transplant, type 2 diabetes mellitus, sickle cell disease, pregnant, asthma - moderate to severe, cerebrovascular disease - affects blood vessels and blood supply to the brain, cystic fibrosis, immunocompromised state - weakened immune system from blood or bone marrow transplant, immune deficiencies, HIV, use of corticosteroids, or use of other immune weakening medicines, neurologic conditions such as dementia, liver disease, pulmonary fibrosis - have damaged or scarred lung tissues, thalassemia - a type of blood disorder, type 1 diabetes mellitus
For more information about Riley County's response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, visit www.rileycountyks.gov/coronavirus , follow RCHD on Facebook at /Rileycountyhealthdepartment/ and Twitter @RileyCoHealth.
For general questions related to the COVID-19 vaccine timelines and availability, members of the public can check the FAQ information online at https://www.rileycountyks.gov/.../Frequently-Asked-Questions
Questions can also be emailed to [email protected]
