Please view the recorded report here: https://youtu.be/Nx9_ABtbuqM

COVID-19 Overall Case Count
Confirmed cases in U.S. as of noon April 15, 2020, Johns Hopkins University & Medicine
Confirmed cases in Kansas and counties as of noon, April 15, 2020, Kansas Department of Health and Environment

  • Number of confirmed cases in the U.S. increased from 584,073 to 610,774
  • Number of confirmed cases in Kansas increased from 1,426 to 1,494
  • Number of confirmed deaths in Kansas: 76
  • Number of confirmed cases in Sedgwick County increased from 206 to 211+
  • Number of confirmed cases in periphery counties:
    • Harvey County: 5
    • Butler County: 10
    • Cowley County: 1
    • Sumner: 2
    • Reno County: 13

 

Sedgwick County COVID-19 Case Count
This table is generally updated daily after noon, after KDHE updates are shared.

Total COVID-19 Cases+

Total Recovered*

Total Deaths

211

86

3

+There are two duplicates recorded in data from KDHE.
*A person is considered recovered from COVID-19 72 hours after symptoms stop or seven days after symptoms start, whichever is longer.

 

Sedgwick County Health Department Update

  • As of noon today, April 15, KDHE reports that more than 1,500 residents have been tested for COVID-19 in Sedgwick County.
  • The Health Department is currently taking samples of residents who meet the criteria to be tested for COVID-19.
    • If residents have general questions about COVID-19 or if they think they need to be tested for it, they should call United Way of the Plains at 2-1-1.
    • For up-to-date information, please visit sedgwickcounty.org.
  • The Sedgwick County Health Department has been notified of a potential scam related to COVID-19.
    • Some residents have received text messages claiming to be the Sedgwick County Health Department.
    • The message alerts the resident that they have come in contact with someone who has COVID-19 and the resident is directed to fill out a survey at a link provided online.
    • This is a scam. Please note that the Health Department:
      • First calls all potential close contacts of COVID-19 cases as part of infectious disease monitoring.
      • Uses text messaging only after verbal permission from a close contact.
      • Never asks for personal information in an online survey, such as social security number.
    • If a resident has been contacted by a COVID-19 scammer, such as these text messages, they should file a complaint with the attorney general's Consumer Protection Division online on a form specifically designed to cover COVID-19-related scams and price gouging at ag.ks.gov.

 

Prevention Measures

  • Stay home
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water
  • Cover all coughs and sneezes
  • Maintain social distancing – keep six feet of space between you and others
  • Limit public gatherings to 10 people or less

 

Face Mask Guidance

  • KDHE notes that homemade masks may be another tool along with the above prevention measures to keep people from unknowingly spreading the virus.
  • Use this acronym when considering safe homemade mask use:
    • Multi-layered, tightly-woven 100% Cotton.
      • Use a thread count of 180 or higher. Don’t buy surgical or N95 masks.
    • Avoid your face and remove it from behind.
      • Never touch the front of the mask, and always remove it from behind your head.
    • Scrap it if it’s damaged, soiled, or doesn’t fit.
      • Make sure it’s breathable and fits snug. Don’t use it while it’s damp, wet, or dirty.
    • Keep the mask and your hands clean.
      • Wash your hands before you put the mask on/after you take it off. Wash or dispose the mask after every use.

 

Sedgwick County Updates

  • Current orders in place:
    • Governor’s stay-at-home order is in place until April 19.
    • Sedgwick County’s stay-at-home order is in place until April 23.
    • Sedgwick County’s order banning public gatherings in excess of 10 people is in place until April 23.
    • Governor’s order banning public gatherings in excess of 10 people is in place until May 1.
  • As a reminder, residents do not need any sort of documentation to travel from one place to another while under these orders.
    • The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office will not stop you unless there is a legal reason.

 

Mental Health Support

  • COMCARE of Sedgwick County is offering a Support Line for individuals who may be experiencing an elevation in mental health symptoms.
  • Individuals may call (316) 660-1111 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.
  • They’ll receive resources, coping skill ideas, and encouragement to keep doing what they need to do to stay healthy, emotionally and physically.
  • Residents who are experiencing a mental health crisis should call (316) 660-7500.

 

Donation Requests

  • If you are a business and would like to offer support/ donations to keep our public safety and healthcare workers safe, there is a list of ongoing needs at our website, sedgwickcounty.org.
  • Contact Sedgwick County Emergency Management at (316) 660-5959 to donate.

 

All questions from media should be directed to Public Information Officer Kate Flavin at (316) 660-9370 or kate.flavin@sedgwick.gov.