The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has confirmed the state’s first positive case of the COVID-19 virus. The case was identified Saturday with testing sent to KDHE’s Kansas Health and Environmental Laboratories, and results will have to be verified by the Centers for Disease Control.
The case is located in Johnson County and the patient is a woman under the age of 50. She is in home isolation, following the guidance of the CDC. No other details have been released.
KDHE is working with the Johnson County health department and the CDC to find and contact people who may have come in contact with the patient. KDHE secretary Lee Norman said in a press release that the department will continue to watch the situation closely and in the meantime, the general public can help by following guidelines for public health and hygiene.
Kansas congressman Roger Marshall issued a statement saying “This is not a time to panic at all. This is the time to implement plans we’ve been urging families and organizations to prepare.” He said homes and businesses could be well ventilated with fresh air, nursing homes and hospitals need to have strict visitation, and every school, workplace and public area needs to follow best judgement. He said people should wash their hands, stay home if they’re sick, and use common sense.
