TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Kansas’ top public health official predicts the state will face steeper increases in new coronavirus cases.
State health secretary Dr. Lee Norman also suggested Wednesday that Kansas blew its chance for a summer pandemic respite by reopening its economy too quickly. Norman blamed a recent surge in new reported cases on gatherings over the long Memorial Day weekend and the lifting of statewide restrictions on businesses and gatherings on May 26.
He said Kansas is not “anywhere close” to leaving the first wave of the pandemic. Norman’s comments came after the Kansas State Fair’s board voted to hold the annual event despite his opposition.
An executive order requiring Kansans to wear face masks in public is expected to be released sometime today. The mask requirement will kick in Friday morning, but without the executive order, specifics on enforcement and mask requirements aren’t known.
