While the number of positive coronavirus cases in the state of Kansas continues to rise, the number of available tests is rapidly decreasing.
According to secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment Lee Norman in a press conference Friday, the state is running precariously low on both test kits and other essential testing items such as nasal swabs. According to Norman the state currently has supplies to conduct 300 more tests which he says was plenty roughly a week ago when the state was conducting roughly seven tests a day.
Norman says if the current pace continues, or increases, the state could be out of testing supplies as early as the end of the day Saturday. However, on a positive note, Norman says commercial labs are beginning more testing, which should help alleviate some of the pressure on state labs.
Norman adds, however, while commercial labs do have a larger capacity to process more tests, they do have a slightly longer turnaround time than state facilities. Earlier this week Norman announced KDHE had decided to limit testing in Johnson County, the county which has seen the largest number of confirmed cases with 23 at last word.
He says Johnson County residents will now only be tested if they are hospitalized with COVID-19 symptoms.
At this time, Kansas has 44 confirmed cases of coronavirus. Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for more updates as the situation continues to develop.
