(RILEY COUNTY, KS – February 9, 2022) A 74 year-old, unvaccinated male tested positive for COVID-19 January 24 and passed away on February 9 at Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan. His passing represents the 73rd COVID-19-related death in Riley County.
Riley County has identified 469 new COVID-19 cases and 713 additional recoveries since the last report on February 3. There are currently 394 active cases in Riley County, which represents a decrease of 297 active cases since last week. However, the two-week rolling percent positivity rate rose from 17.84% to 22.34% for the current period.
Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan is currently providing care for nine COVID-positive patients. A total of three patients are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), with two on ventilators. Via Christi did not share information about the vaccination status of their patients.
“Although the community transmission rate is still high, we’re grateful to see the case numbers declining,” said Local Health Officer Julie Gibbs. “As time moves on, COVID will hopefully become an illness that does not impact the medical community or disrupt society and daily life. We continue to encourage everyone who is eligible to get a COVID vaccine.”
Vaccines are available by appointment at the health department as well as at local doctor’s offices and pharmacies. Visit https://www.vaccines.gov/ to find locations for vaccine distribution.
The demand for COVID testing in Riley County has decreased along with the declining case numbers. In response to that change, RCHD will offer COVID testing by appointment on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to noon only. This change will take effect Monday, February 14. The testing hotline at (785) 323-6400 will continue to be staffed weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to noon to allow people to schedule appointments.
The new KDHE indoor testing location at 3019 Anderson Avenue will remain open for walk-in appointments Monday-Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Test results from the KDHE lab are now taking 24-48 hours to process instead of 5-7 days.
“We look forward to moving operations away from COVID response and back to more of our pre-COVID responsibilities,” said Local Health Officer Julie Gibbs. ”RCHD staff are ready to see more patients for family planning, STI testing, immunizations, and providing more of the services that strengthen the health and quality of life in our community. The health department relies heavily on grant funding, so we also need to devote a significant amount of staff time to fulfilling grant activities and requirements.”
Riley County COVID-19 Statistics for February 9, 2022
Percent Positive
Two-Week Rolling Percent Positivity Rate: 22.34%
Tested Positive: 1,061
Tested Negative: 3,689
Total Tested: 4,750
Week 4 (January 23 - 29) 18.84%
Total Positives: 716
Total Tested: 2,919
Week 5 (January 30 - February 5) 24.53%
Total Positives: 345
Total Tested: 1,831
Contact Riley County Health Department
Information on deaths recorded in Riley County has changed as a result of updated statistics from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Office of Vital Statistics (OVS). The total of 73 COVID-19-related deaths in Riley County since the start of the pandemic remains the same. However, some previously reported death certificates were amended by the OVS, and the county of residence was corrected for some patients. Some of the death totals by age group have changed.
Please note, today’s report includes six days of data instead of seven. Last week’s report was delayed by one day due to the snow storm and resulting closures at Riley County offices. The next written update will be published Wednesday, February 16, 2022.
Find statistics for Riley County and learn more about the local COVID-19 response at www.rileycountyks.gov/covid https://www.rileycountyks.gov/1857/Novel-Coronavirus-2019-nCoV
