Health officials Wednesday officially designated COVID-19 outbreaks centered around Aggieville and Kansas State University.
Riley County health officials updated the public via Facebook Live, saying the designation was made that morning in collaboration with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. The county reported 24 new positive cases since Monday and 51 since Friday the 19th.
Officials say 30 cases are linked with Aggieville activity and 14 student athletes have tested positive. Health Officer Julie Gibbs says contact tracing is underway, though specific businesses linked to the outbreak are not being released at this time.
Gibbs says the recent spikes are the result of a combination of loosening restrictions amid the re-opening process and increased testing capabilities, noting an increase in positive tests was expected. The percent positive rate has remained steady around 5 percent according to Adams.
She says some businesses in the district have voluntarily chosen to close amid the spike and that the department will monitor the situation closely. Local Health Order No. 13 was issued Monday reducing occupancy limits to 75 percent in bars and restaurants and gathering sizes to 50 for 14 days.
“Most of [the businesses]were actually doing everything correctly,” says Gibbs. “They do now have to screen all of their employees. That includes temperature check and asking about their symptoms.”
Those with fevers or noted contacts with a positive case must be sent home. She says the health department is also working with business owners to improve preventative measures and slow the spread.
Currently, the county reports 83 active novel coronavirus cases, 2 hospitalizations, and 33 individuals with symptoms being monitored. 117 tests are pending. Overall, the county has report 156 total positive COVID tests, 70 of those people have recovered and 3 COVID-related deaths are reported.
“If you have been in contact with the health department — whether you have tested positive or you are a contact of somebody who has tested positive — please adhere to their advice and remain isolated in your home,” says Gibbs. “This means not going out of your home for any reason other than an emergency.”
Those with symptoms are encouraged to call the county’s COVID-19 screening line at (785) 323-6400 and those with general questions can email rileycountycovid19@gmail.com. Best practices for businesses can be found at RegionReimagined.org or by emailing the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce at info@Manhattan.org.
“Please remember, the virus is still a threat in our area,” says Gibbs. “We have announced community spread early on and we will encourage everyone to take proper precautions when going out into public.”
She says to wash hands frequently, avoid crowds and touching your face and to properly wear a mask.
Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Andrew Adams says the reason the outbreak designation was made around KSU Football at this time is due to more reported spread among those who had previously tested negative.
Half of all reported cases in the county are individuals ages 18 to 24. Gibbs says younger individuals often have milder symptoms and may not be aware they are ill. Asymptomatic individuals are tested following communication with their physician or if they are a close contact — but only after getting halfway through the 14 quarantine period.
“It’s important to remember, though, too, that we can’t test our way out of quarantine,” says Adams. “We have had a lot of questions of people who when identify them as contact go, well what if I get tested?”
“You’re still quarantined. You still have to follow those orders.”
He says an individual may test negative earlier in a quarantine and get ill closer to the end of the reported 14-day incubation period. The average period is about 5 to 7 days, Adams says.
Gibbs also encourages the public to take proactive measures to protect their and others’ health and to stay home if you’re sick. Adams also asks that folks work with the department if contacted in the course of exposure investigations.
“We’re in it together,” says Adams. “When you get a call from the health department, we’re not trying to interrogate you — I know it’s a disease investigation by title, but it’s really a conversation to try to figure out where you’ve been, who you’ve been with so that we can help keep everybody happy and that we can move forward together and get through it as a community.”
Originally posted at https://1350kman.com/covid-19-outbreaks-reported-linked-to-aggieville-ksu-football/
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