I hope we have moved past the very cold weather we have had during February. I know two of our communities in Sedgwick County experienced huge price increases in the price of their natural gas during the cold weather. I have not heard yet if other citizens in the county will be similarly impacted when they receive their utility bills next month. Commissioner Meitzner and I met with Congressman Estes to discuss the situation, and I also contacted Senator Marshall’s and Senator Moran’s offices to see if they could help. In addition, the Board of County Commissioners passed a disaster declaration that may be able to be used if the Federal Government takes any action to assist our community.
Vaccinations continue; however, at a much slower pace than it should be. We have been asking for more vaccine. One positive response to our questions has been the additional allocation of 3,500 doses per week that the Governor has earmarked for teachers. One of my goals has been to get students back in the classroom, so I do support that decision. My other main goal is to get all businesses back open and the economy moving. We cannot accomplish that goal without additional vaccines. The County just lowered the age for the vaccine to 65. You can find more detailed information on COVID vaccinations and to sign-up for the vaccine at www.sedgwickcounty.org/covid-19.
As always, it is an honor to serve the citizens in Sedgwick County. Please stay healthy and safe.
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COVID-19 Report for February 26, 2021 |
Comparing case counts from Wednesday to today:
- The United States of America case count increased from 28,283,467 to 28,453,199 (+ 0.60 percent).
- Today, the State of Kansas case count increased less than one percent, from 292,837 to 293,663.
- In Sedgwick County, case counts increased from 44,472 to 44,602 (+ 0.29 percent).
The Sedgwick County Health Department offers no-cost, walk-in sampling at the K-State Research and Extension Center, 7001 W. 21st St. Walk-ins are welcome from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Monday through Friday. Follow the signs to the southern entrance facing 21st St.
The Health Department takes a nasal, oral, or saliva sample to send to a lab for COVID-19 PCR testing. Results are generally available within 18 to 36 hours. The results of the virus test show whether a person has a current infection. This is not an antibody test.
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Sedgwick County’s Local Health Officer Dr. Garold Minns revised grade K-12 school quarantine guidance for local school districts to keep students safely for in-person classrooms. This modification was decided following conversations with local school district superintendents. View the revised guidelines here.
Now, if a student is a close contact during the in-person classroom school day, they may or may not have to stay in quarantine at home based on the nature of the close contact. Students who are high-risk close contacts must quarantine at home per KDHE and SCHD guidance and participate in remote learning. Students who are low-risk close contacts may continue to attend in-person classroom or participate with remote learning.
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COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Moves, County to Follow Governor’s Directive |
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Sedgwick County’s COVID-19 vaccine clinic relocated to 223 S. Main (the former Wichita library building) effective Monday, February 22.
Residents with appointments have two locations to receive the vaccine Mondays through Saturdays.
- 223 S. Main, Wichita | Former Wichita Library | Clinic for residents aged 70 and older and health care associated workers who are active and can stand for periods of time
- 777 E. Waterman, Wichita | Wichita Transit Operations | Drive-thru clinic for health care associated workers and residents aged 70 and older who have mobility difficulties
Based on new directive from Governor Kelly, Sedgwick County will also make teachers and school staff a priority as additional earmarked vaccine is available to re-open all K-12 schools across the county and state, and we continue to vaccinate people in Phase 2 of the vaccine schedule.
Vaccine Questions:
Contact your medical provider prior to receiving the vaccine if you have questions about how the vaccine may interact with your medical condition and medications you take.
Please continue to direct general questions about the COVID-19 vaccine to (316) 660-1022; this line is not for scheduling appointments.
County Pledge:
As more vaccine is received, the Sedgwick County Health Department will vaccinate more people while following guidance from CDC, KDHE, and Sedgwick County Health Officer Dr. Garold Minns. The vaccination schedule is designed to assure that all who want to be vaccinated will have that opportunity. The implementation of the vaccination schedule is dependent on the manufacturing and distribution schedule from vaccine providers. The County will not schedule more appointments than the vaccine available. Updated information is available at https://www.sedgwickcounty.org/covid-19/vaccine-information/.
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2022 Budget Development Begins |
Discussion of the 2022 budget began this month as Commissioners and County leaders spent time discussing employee compensation, transportation capital improvements, target mill levy rate, debt policy, and other budgetary factors. |
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Congratulations are in order for the 13 new EMTs, AEMTs, and paramedics who graduated from the brand new Sedgwick County EMS Academy!
This 6-week long training academy is required in addition to their certification.
In the academy, they learn about the equipment including the stair chairs, cots, radios, and power load systems, the dispatch and navigational software and the patient care reporting software (how to documents calls). They become certified in emergency vehicle operations and spent time learning the streets of Wichita and Sedgwick County so they can get to calls quickly.
Three days of the academy included learning in the simulation lab by running and documenting calls in real time. They ended the academy by taking a comprehensive final and two to three weeks as a 3rd person rider where they were evaluated before being released to full duty.
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316-660-9300
525 N. Main, Ste 320, Wichita, KS 67203
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Connect with Sedgwick County |
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