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Sedgwick County’s COVID-19 case numbers still increasing

Sedgwick County’s COVID-19 case numbers still increasing

Sedgwick County’s COVID-19 case numbers still increasing

Sedgwick County continues to see increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases, reaching levels that were seen last winter.

In a report Wednesday for county commissioners, Deputy County Manager Tim Kaufman said there continues to be a positive testing rate of around 9 percent, and he called attention to numbers showing 206 hospitalizations in Wichita with 78 patients in the intensive care unit.

Kaufman said there’s a growing concern about case numbers among children.   He called attention to 8,692 cases for people 17 years of age and younger, and he said that represents 15 percent of the total number of confirmed cases in the county.    He said the concern is for children 12 and younger who are not eligible yet for the COVID-19 vaccine.  Kaufman said it’s very important for adults who are around children to be vaccinated.

The county is now reporting 50.2 percent of the eligible population as being fully vaccinated.   For the total population, that is 41.9 percent.   Kaufman said for the county to reach herd immunity the percentage would have to be between 89 and 90 percent, but considering the current numbers it would be good to reach 70 percent.  He said the county still has a lot of work to do to reach that point.   He said the county health department is now making plans for vaccinating youngsters age 5 to 11 in anticipation of federal approval for that age group.    With a mandate from President Biden for large employers to have their employees vaccinated, Kaufman said the county is getting ready for an increase in demand for the vaccine.

The county will continue to provide the vaccine at the former downtown library building in Wichita and with mobile and partner clinics and special vaccination events.  Kaufman is reminding residents that the county is not the only provider of the vaccine, and it is available at a number of local pharmacies.

Kaufman said the demand for testing has increased by 600 percent since late June.  He said the county is continuing to look for a larger facility, but testing is continuing at the Sunflower Shelter at Sedgwick County Park.   People are urged to text SC COVID TEST to the number 316-215-8313 to get in line for testing.

 

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