(RILEY COUNTY, KS – December 29, 2021) A 48 year-old Riley County woman died December 24 after testing positive for COVID on December 10. Her passing represents the 66th COVID-related death in Riley County.
Riley County has identified 148 new COVID-19 cases and 153 additional recoveries since the last report on Wednesday, December 22, 2021. There are currently 221 active cases in Riley County.
Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan is caring for 13 COVID-positive patients at this time. There are seven patients on the medical floor and four of the patients are unvaccinated. Six patients are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and five on ventilators. Five of the patients in the ICU are unvaccinated.
No cases of the Omicron variant have been identified in Riley County at this point.
The CDC recently issued updated guidelines for COVID-19 quarantine and isolation periods, however the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has not made any changes to protocol at this point. A statement with information for Kansas is expected in the coming days. For now, Riley County will continue to follow the KDHE established guidelines. Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 must remain in isolation for 10 days. Anyone who has been a close contact of a positive COVID patient must remain in quarantine for 10 days.
“Please stay home and stay away from others if you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID,” said Local Health Officer Julie Gibbs. “If the quarantine and isolation periods change based on KDHE guidance, we will share that information on social media and the Riley County COVID website.”
The demand for COVID testing continues to increase. The health department has received several hundred calls for testing this week and appointments are quickly filling up. Officials encourage people to contact their healthcare provider for testing options or to visit the free drive-through testing provided by KDHE in the north parking lot at Manhattan Town Center that is open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. Anyone who is unable to access testing should stay home and isolate until testing is available. Find information about COVID symptoms, treatment, and isolation advice on the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html
“We expect to see more cases in the coming weeks, unfortunately,” said Gibbs. “The best advice is to get vaccinated, get a booster dose if indicated, stay home if you are sick, and contact your doctor for medical care.”
COVID-19 vaccine appointments at the Riley County Health Department are booked until late January. First, second, and booster doses of the vaccine are also available at local pharmacies and doctors offices. To find a complete list of vaccine providers in the area, visit https://www.vaccines.gov.
Riley County Statistics for December 29, 2021:
Percent Positive
Two-Week Average: 7.78% (up from 7.28%)
Tested Positive: 284
Tested Negative: 3,371
Total Tested: 3,655
Week 51 (December 19 - 25) 8.16%
Total Positives: 137
Total Tested: 1,679
Week 50 (December 12 - 18) 7.44%
Total Positives: 147
Total Tested: 1,976
Contact Riley County Health Department
The next update will be published Wednesday, January 5.
Find statistics for Riley County and learn more about the local COVID-19 response at www.rileycountyks.gov/covid.
