News Flash

1/12/2022 COVID Update: 2 Deaths and 1,202 New COVID Cases in Riley County

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – January 12, 2022) Two additional Riley County residents have died after testing positive for COVID-19. A 40 year-old unvaccinated male tested positive on December 21, 2021 and died January 7, 2022 at Ascension Via Christi hos...

1/10/2022 Riley County Contact Tracing Update

(January 10, 2022 – Riley County, KS) The Riley County Health Department (RCHD) is no longer able to provide contact tracing for every person in the community who tests positive for COVID-19. Some cases are being referred directly to the Kansas ...

1/5/2022 UPDATE: 14.59% Positive Rate and 161 New COVID Cases and in Riley County

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – January 5, 2022) Riley County has identified 161 new COVID-19 cases and 176 additional recoveries since the last report on Wednesday, December 29, 2021. There are currently 206 active cases in Riley County and the percent of ...

Riley County Health Department Adopts New KDHE Guidelines for COVID Quarantine and Isolation

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – January 4, 2022) The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has updated isolation and quarantine guidance following the recent changes by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the general popula...

12-29-2021 COVID Update

(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 COV...

COVID Test Options

(12/27/2021) We’re sorry but the Health Department is experiencing a very high call volume for COVID testing right now. If you can’t get through to our Screening Line at (785) 323-6400, please try one of the testing options below.

IMPOR...

12-22-2021 Contact Tracing Update

12-22-2021 COVID Update: 131 New Positive Cases

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – December 22, 2021) Riley County has identified 131 new COVID-19 cases and 110 additional recoveries since the last report on Wednesday, December 16, 2021. There are currently 227 active cases in Riley County.

Ascension Via Chr...

12-16-21 Update: 139 New Positive Cases

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – December 16, 2021) Riley County has identified 139 new COVID-19 cases and 116 additional recoveries since the last report on Wednesday, December 8, 2021. There are currently 170 active cases in Riley County.

Ascension Via Chri...

12-8-2021 Update: 106 New Positive COVID-19 Cases in Riley County

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – December 8, 2021) Riley County has identified 106 new COVID-19 cases and 59 additional recoveries since the last report on Wednesday, December 1, 2021. There are currently 147 active cases in Riley County.Ascension Via Christ...

12-2-2021 Testing Update - take home kits

Starting this week, the take-home COVID-19 saliva test kits formerly provided by KDHE and distributed at the Riley County Health Department will no longer be available. You can still get a free COVID-19 test at the Health Department by calling our Screeni...

12-1-2021 COVID-19 Update: 1 Death and 57 New Positive Cases

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – December 1, 2021) A 69-year-old unvaccinated male resident of Riley County died November 25 after testing positive for COVID-19 on November 24. His passing represents the 65th COVID-related death in Riley County sinc...

11-24-21 Update: 54 new positive COVID cases in Riley County

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – November 24, 2021) Riley County has identified 54 new positive Coronavirus cases and 98 additional recoveries since the last report on November 18, 2021. 

In Riley County, since December, there have been a total of 26...

11-18-21 Update: Two deaths and 116 new positive COVID cases in Riley County

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – November 18, 2021) Two Riley County residents have passed away after testing positive for COVID-19.

• A 63 year old unvaccinated female tested positive on 10/5/21 and died 10/15/21 

• A 46 year old unvaccinated m...

11-10-21 Update: Two deaths and 120 new positive COVID cases in Riley County

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – November 10, 2021) Two Riley County residents have passed away after testing positive for COVID-19. 

• A 61 year old unvaccinated female tested positive on 10/20/21 and died 11/5/21 at Via Christi Hospital. 

• A f...

11-05-21: COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Announced for Children Ages 5-11

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – November 5, 2021) In light of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director signing off on administering the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to children ages 5-11 the Riley County Health Department will be hol...

11-03-21 Update: One death and 41 new positive COVID cases in Riley County

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – November 3, 2021) One Riley County resident has passed away after testing positive for COVID-19. 

A 67 year-old vaccinated woman tested positive on October 18th and passed away on November 2nd at Ascension Via Christi...

Riley County Commission Chairman Tests Positive for COVID-19

(RILEY COUNTY, KS- November 3, 2021) Riley County Commission Chairman John Ford has tested positive for COVID-19. Ford tested positive on November 2nd. The Riley County Health Department is notifying those who are considered close contacts of Commissioner...

10-27-21 Update: 38 new positive COVID cases in Riley County

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – October 27, 2021) Riley County has identified 38 new positive Coronavirus cases and 54 additional recoveries since the last report on October 21, 2021. 

In Riley County, since December, there have been a total of 238 ...

10-21-21 Update: 65 new positive COVID cases in Riley County

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – October 21, 2021) Riley County has identified 65 new positive Coronavirus cases and 68 additional recoveries since the last report on October 14, 2021. 

In Riley County, since December, there have been a total of 234 ...

10-14-21 Update: 74 new positive COVID cases in Riley County

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – October 14, 2021) Riley County has identified 74 new positive Coronavirus cases and 44 additional recoveries since the last report on October 6, 2021. 

In Riley County, since December, there have been a total of 223 p...

10-06-21 Update: One death and 49 new positive COVID cases in Riley County

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – October 06, 2021) One Riley County resident has passed away after testing positive for COVID-19. 

A 79 year-old fully vaccinated man tested positive on September 14th and passed away on September 30th at Via Christi H...

09-29-21: 62 new positive COVID cases in Riley County

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – September 29, 2021) Riley County has identified 62 new positive Coronavirus cases and 139 additional recoveries since the last report on September 22, 2021. 

In Riley County, since December, there have been a total of...

09-23-21 Update: One death and 116 new positive COVID cases in Riley County

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – September 23, 2021) One Riley County resident has passed away after testing positive for COVID-19. 

A 28-year-old unvaccinated male tested positive for COVID-19 on 8/13/2021 and died on 9/14/2021 at St. Luke&rsquo...

09-15-21 Update: 118 new positive COVID cases in Riley County since last Wednesday

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – September 15, 2021) Riley County has identified 118 new positive Coronavirus cases and 98 additional recoveries since the last report on September 8 2021. 

In Riley County, since December, there have been a total of 1...

09-08-21: 2 new deaths and 108 new positive COVID cases in Riley County

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – September 8, 2021) Two Riley County residents have passed away after testing positive for COVID-19. 

• A 75-year-old male died on Sept. 15, 2020, at Via Christi Hospital. At the time of his death, the vaccine was not au...

09-01-21: 2 new deaths and 81 new positive COVID cases in Riley County

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – September 1, 2021) Two Riley County residents have passed away after testing positive for COVID-19. 

A 32-year-old female (vaccination status has not been verified at this time) tested positive on 8/19/2021 and passed...

08-25-21: 70 new positive COVID cases in Riley County since last Wednesday

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – August 25, 2021) Riley County has identified 70 new positive Coronavirus cases and 74 additional recoveries since the last report on August 18, 2021. 

In Riley County, since December, there have been a total of 116 po...

08-18-21: One new death and 85 new positive COVID cases in Riley County since last Wednesday

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – August 18, 2021) An unvaccinated 60-year-old female has passed away from COVID-19. The Riley County Resident tested positive on July 8th and passed away on July 30th at The University of Kansas St. Francis Hospital in Topeka....

08-11-21: 18 new COVID-19 cases in Riley County since Monday

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – August 11, 2021) Riley County has identified 18 new positive Coronavirus cases and 8 additional recoveries since the last report on August 9, 2021. 

In Riley County, since December, there have been a total of 100 posi...

08-04-21: 3 deaths and 104 new COVID-19 cases in Riley County

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – August 4, 2021) Three Riley County residents who tested positive for COVID-19 have passed away. 

A fully vaccinated 90-year-old male tested positive on 07/12/2021 at Ascension Via Christi Village. He passed away on 08...

07-28-21: 4 deaths and 146 new COVID-19 cases in Riley County

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – July 28, 2021) Four individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 have passed away. 

A fully vaccinated 98-year-old female tested positive for COVID-19 on 7/19/2021 at Via Christi Village and passed away on 7/26/2021.&...

07-21-21: 64 new COVID-19 cases in Riley County

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – July 21, 2021) Riley County Health Department has identified 64 new positive Coronavirus cases and 70 additional recoveries since the last report on July 14, 2021. Since December, there have been a total of 61 positive cases from varia...

07-14-21 Update: One death and 102 new positive COVID cases in Riley County

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – July 14, 2021) An unvaccinated 86-year old woman tested positive for COVID-19 on June 8, 2021, and passed away on July 10, 2021. Her passing brings the total number of COVID-related deaths in the county to 45.

Riley County has...

07-07-21: Riley County has one death and 20 new COVID-19 cases

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – July 7, 2021) An unvaccinated 56-year old male tested positive for COVID-19 on June 6, 2021, and passed away on June 30, 2021. His passing brings the total number of COVID-related deaths in the county to 44.

Riley County has i...

06-30-21: Riley County sees increase in COVID-19 variants of concern

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – June 30, 2021) Riley County has identified 24 new positive Coronavirus cases and 28 additional recoveries since the last report on June 23, 2021. 

The percent of positive cases for the week of June 20th was 5.2%. That...

06-23-21 Update: 39 new positive COVID cases in Riley County

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – June 23, 2021) Riley County has identified 39 new positive Coronavirus cases and 32 additional recoveries since the last report on June 16, 2021. 

The percent of positive cases for the week of June 13th was 7.4%. That...

06-16-21 Update: 32 new positive COVID cases in Riley County

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – June 16, 2021) Riley County has identified 32 new positive Coronavirus cases and 14 additional recoveries since the last report on June 9, 2021. 

The percent of positive cases for the week of June 6th was 6.7%. That t...

06-09-21: 20 new COVID-positive cases in Riley County

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – June 9, 2021) Riley County has identified 20 new positive Coronavirus cases and 62 additional recoveries since the last report on June 2, 2021. 

The percent of positive cases for the week of May 30 was 3.4%. That tran...

06-02-21 Update: 43 new positive COVID cases in Riley County

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – June 2, 2021) Riley County has identified 43 new positive Coronavirus cases and 19 additional recoveries since the last report on May 26, 2021. 

The percent of positive cases for the week of May 23 was 9.7%. That tran...

05-26-21: 27 new COVID-positive cases in Riley County

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – May 26, 2021) Riley County has identified 27 new positive Coronavirus cases and 17 additional recoveries since the last report on May 19, 2021. 

The percent of positive cases for the week of May 16 was 3.1%. That translates to ...

05-19-21: 28 new COVID-positive cases in Riley County

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – May 19, 2021) Riley County has identified 28 new positive Coronavirus cases and 17 additional recoveries since the last report on May 12, 2021. 

The percent of positive cases for the week of May 9 was 1.9%. That trans...

05-12-21: 34 new COVID-positive cases in Riley County

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – May 12, 2021) Riley County has identified 34 new positive Coronavirus cases and 52 additional recoveries since the last report on May 5, 2021. 

The percent of positive cases for the week of May 2 was 1.6%. That transl...

05-05-21: 42 new COVID-positive cases in Riley County

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – May 5, 2021) Riley County has identified 42 new positive Coronavirus cases and 43 additional recoveries since the last report on April 28, 2021. 

The percent of positive cases for the week of April 18 was 3.2%. That t...

Riley County to Rescind Mask Mandate

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – April 29, 2021) During the Riley County Board of County Commissioners meeting on Thursday, April 29th, the County Commission voted 2-1, with Commissioner Kathryn Focke voting no, to rescind the “Local Health Officer...

04-28-21 Update: 34 new positive COVID cases in Riley County

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – April 28, 2021) Riley County has identified 34 new positive Coronavirus cases and 13 additional recoveries since the last report on April 21, 2021. The percent of positive cases for the week of April 18 was 1.7%. That transla...

04-21-21 Update: 17 new positive COVID cases in Riley County

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – April 21, 2021) Riley County has identified 17 new positive Coronavirus cases and 29 additional recoveries since the last report on April 14, 2021. 

The percent of positive cases for the week of April 11 was 1.0%. Tha...

04-14-21: 28 new COVID-positive cases in Riley County

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – April 14, 2021) Riley County has identified 28 new positive coronavirus cases and 16 additional recoveries since the last report on April 7, 2021. 

The percent of positive cases for the week of April 7  was 2...

04-13-21: Riley County pauses administration of Johnson & Johnson vaccine

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – April 13, 2021) In accordance with guidance from the CDC and FDA, Riley County will pause the administration of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine until further notice. 

The federal agencies say they are reviewing six ca...

04-07-21: 27 new COVID-positive cases in Riley County

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – April 7, 2021) Riley County has identified 27 new positive coronavirus cases and 22 additional recoveries since the last report on March 31, 2021. The percent of positive cases for the week of March 28 was 1.1%. That translat...

Riley County Launches COVID-19 Vaccine Self-Service Scheduling System

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – April 5, 2021) Beginning today, April 5th Riley County Health Department is launching a new online, self-service scheduling system for COVID vaccinations. 

After inviting everyone who had registered with the county to...

03-29-21: 15 new COVID-positive cases in Riley County

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – March 29, 2021) Riley County has identified 15 new positive coronavirus cases and 41 additional recoveries since the last report on Wednesday, March 24, 2021.  

Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan is not carin...

Riley County Board of Commissioners Approve Mask Mandate Extension

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – March 25, 2021) During the Riley County Board of County Commissioners meeting on Thursday, March 25th, the County Commission voted to approve “Local Health Officer Order No. 21”. Local Order 21 wh...

03-24-21: Six new COVID-positive cases in Riley County

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – March 24, 2021) Riley County has identified 6 new positive coronavirus cases and 10 additional recoveries since the last report on March 22, 2021.  The percent of positive cases for the week of March 14th was 1.8%. T...

03-22-21 Update: One new COVID related death and 17 new positive cases in Riley County

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – March 22, 2021) One additional COVID-positive patient has died in Riley County. The patient was a 97-year-old female. She tested positive on January 4th and passed away on March 15th. Her passing brings the total num...

03-18-21: Riley County unveils new scheduling software for COVID-19 vaccine clinic

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – March 18, 2021) Starting today, Riley County will be rolling out a new program to schedule COVID vaccines. 

In the past, those eligible to receive a vaccine were assigned a one-hour window to be vaccinated. The new so...

03-17-21 Update: Nineteen new positive COVID cases in Riley County

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – March 17, 2021) Riley County has identified 19 new positive coronavirus cases and 16 additional recoveries since the last report on March 15, 2021.  

Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan is not caring for any p...

03-15-21 Update: Two deaths and nine new COVID-positive cases

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – March 15, 2021)Two additional COVID-positive patients have died in Riley County. The patients were two females, aged 69 years old and 80 years old. The 69-year-old woman tested positive on January 7th and passed away on March...

03-10-21 Update: 12 new positive COVID cases in Riley County

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – March 10, 2021) Riley County has identified twelve new positive coronavirus cases and one additional recovery since the last report on March 8, 2021.  The percent of positive cases for the week of February 28th was 2...

03-03-21 Update: Twenty seven new positive COVID cases in Riley County

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – March 3, 2021) Riley County has identified 27 new positive coronavirus cases and 16 additional recoveries since the last report on March 1, 2021.  The percent of positive cases for the week of February 21st was 2.2%....

Riley County delays start of Phase 3 in response to KDHE guidance

(RILEY COUNTY, KS - March 1) Riley County Health Department has learned that we will not be able to move to Phase 3 of the vaccination priority schedule this week as originally planned. Instead, the county will remain in Phase 2 and administer only booste...

03-01-21 Update: Four new positive COVID cases in Riley County

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – March 1, 2021) Riley County has identified four new positive coronavirus cases and 57 additional recoveries since the last report on February 26, 2021.  Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan is caring for one p...

02-26-21 Update: Eight new positive COVID cases and close to 8,500 vaccinated in Riley County

Read on...

02-24-21: Riley County Local Health Order 20 Ends Some COVID-19 Restrictions

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – February 24, 2021) After careful consideration Riley County Local Health Officer Julie Gibbs has issued Health Order No. 20.

The new Local Health Order will go into effect at 11:59 p.m. Sunday February 28, 2021. This Order shall remain ...

02-24-21 Update: Nine new positive COVID cases and close to 8,000 vaccinated in Riley County

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – February 24, 2021) Riley County has identified nine new positive coronavirus cases and 47 additional recoveries since the last report on February 22, 2021.  The percent of positive cases for the week of February 14 w...

02-22-21 Update: 10 new positive COVID cases in Riley County

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – February 22, 2021) Riley County has identified ten new positive coronavirus cases and 13 additional recoveries since the last report on February 19, 2021. 

Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan is caring for two...

02-19-21 Update: 1 death and 10 new positive cases

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – February 19, 2021) One additional COVID-positive patient has died in Riley County. The patient was a 67-year-old female. She tested positive for COVID on February 3 and passed away on Wednesday, February 17, at Via Christi Ho...

02-17-21 Update: 33 new positive COVID-19 cases

02-17-21 Update: 33 new positive COVID-19 cases

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – February 17, 2021) Riley County has identified 33 new positive coronavirus cases and 30 additional recoveries since the last report on February 12, 2021. The percent of positive ...

02-12-21 Update: 35 new positive COVID-19 cases

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – February 12, 2021) Riley County has identified 35 new positive coronavirus cases and 3 additional recoveries since the last report on February 10, 2021. 

Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan is caring ...

02-10-21 Update: 1 additional death and 17 new positive cases

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – February 10, 2021) One additional COVID-positive patient has died in Riley County. The patient was a 76-year-old male. He tested positive for COVID on January 4th and passed away on Tuesday, February 9th, at Via Christi Villa...

Riley County and Riley County Police Warn Residents of COVID-19 Vaccine Scams

(RILEY COUNTY, KS - February 9, 2021) - As The Riley County Health Department ramps up vaccine distribution, we would like to remind individuals to be aware of potential scams. While none have been reported in our area, the Riley County Police Department ...

02-08-21 Update: 23 new positive COVID-19 cases

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – February 8, 2021) Riley County has identified 23 new positive coronavirus cases and 89 additional recoveries since the last report on February 5, 2021. 

Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan is caring for five p...

02-05-21 Update: 15 new positive COVID-19 cases

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – February 5, 2021) Riley County has identified 15 new positive coronavirus cases and one additional recovery since the last report on February 3, 2021. 

Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan is caring for seven positive pa...

02-02-21 Update: 23 new positive COVID-19 cases

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – February 3, 2021) Riley County has identified 23 new positive coronavirus cases and 18 additional recoveries since the last report on February 1, 2021. 

Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan is caring for five p...

02-02-21 Update: Riley County to roll out updated vaccine registration form

(RILEY COUNTY, KS - February 2, 2021) Beginning Wednesday, February 3,  the Riley County Vaccine Registration form will have a new look. The change was made in order to make the sign-up process more user friendly. If you already signed u...

02-01-21 Update: 1 additional death and 68 new positive cases

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – February 1, 2021) One additional COVID-positive patient has died in Riley County. The patient was a 76-year-old male. He tested positive for COVID on January 

7 and passed away on Sunday, January 31, at Via Christi Ho...

01-31-21 Update: Riley County administers over 4,000 doses, clinics continue this week

(RILEY COUNTY, KANSAS - January 30, 2021) Riley County Health Department will continue vaccinating those 65 and older with severe health conditions this upcoming week. To date the agency has administered over 4000 doses.

Another clinic will be held Tuesda...

01-29-21 Update: 48 new positive COVID cases

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – January 29, 2021) Riley County has identified 48 new positive coronavirus cases and 32 additional recoveries since the last report on Wednesday, January 27, 2021.Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan is caring for seven...

01-27-21 Update: 59 new positive COVID cases

(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 fo...

1/26/21 UPDATE: Vaccination Protocol for those 65 and older

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – January 26, 2021) Like everyone else, the pandemic is new for Riley County. Last week we started the Phase 2 process by vaccinating everyone 65 and older on a first-come-first-served basis, using the order in which they regis...

01-25-21 Update: 2 additional deaths and 28 new positive cases

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – January 25, 2021) Two additional COVID-positive patients have died in Riley County. One patient was 91 years old. She tested positive on January 9 and passed away on January 22 at Via Christi Village. The second patient was 7...

RILEY COUNTY VACCINATES OVER 1,000 PEOPLE IN FIRST DAY OF PHASE TWO

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – January 22, 2021)  The Riley County Health Department officially began vaccinating people in phase 2 Thursday. Although we know there were some complications with Thursday's vaccine clinic, we are proud that we were able to va...

01-22-21 Update: 75 new positive cases

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – January 22, 2021) Riley County has identified 75 new positive coronavirus cases and 34 additional recoveries since the last report on Wednesday, January 20, 2021. 

Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan is caring...

01-20-21 Update: 5 additional deaths and 127 new positive cases

(RILEY COUNTY, KS – January 20, 2021)  Five additional COVID-related deaths have been identified since the last report on Friday, January 15. The individuals ranged in age from 46 to 85. Their passing brings the total number of deaths i...

Riley County hires its first Public Information Officer

We are excited to announce Riley County has hired a talented professional with close to 20 years of diverse communication experience for the newly established Riley County Public Information Officer role.

Alice Massimi, who started on January 12t...