Sedgwick County will have a new health order in effect that will relax the restrictions that have been in place over the past few months.

The county’s Local Health Officer, Dr. Garold Minns, says new cases have been in decline over the past month, and hospitals are reporting a drop in the number of patients.  He said the county also has a lower positive testing rate for the coronavirus, and it is now around 7 percent.

Dr. Minns said with the decline in the numbers, he felt it was reasonable to relax some of the restrictions in the health order, but people will need to continue to wear masks and follow social distancing and other health practices.   He said it’s also going to take a number of months to get enough people vaccinated in the county to have large scale immunity to the virus.    He said people should not get too secure, because of the number of cases goes back up, some restrictions will have to be restored.

The new health order is expected to take effect Sunday, February 7th.   It will move the curfew for bars and restaurants from 11 p.m. to midnight.   Bars, restaurants, retail stores and fitness centers can have 150 people or 75 percent of fire code capacity, whichever is less.   Mass gatherings will be limited to 100 people.   Youth and adult recreational facilities will be allowed to have four spectators per participant, up from two spectators.

Commissioner Lacey Cruse said the number of spectators at sporting events should be kept at two, and commissioners will consider that change and other possible changes to the order during the regular County Commission meeting on Wednesday.

Dr. Minns expressed thanks to citizens and businesses that have followed the mask requirements and other restrictions, because they have contributed to the decline in numbers. He said there have been very few flu cases in the community, and he credits that to the wearing of masks, because flu is also a respiratory virus.   He said this shows that masks work.