One of the leading federal health officials in the COVID-19 recovery effort made a stop in Kansas City on Saturday, focusing on the state response and — to a degree — the local situation.
Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House Coronavirus Response coordinator, had a roundtable discussion with Governor Laura Kelly and administrators at the University of Kansas Medical Center. She says an increase in cases statewide, and community spread in several areas, has her concerned.
Audio from KVOE’s media partner WIBW-TV in Topeka.
Like other health officials at the federal, state and local levels, Dr. Birx emphasized the need to wear masks while out in public and have the six-foot social distance bubble between people. She also called for other unpopular steps, saying they can have positive results.
Lyon County currently has 62 active cases and 734 total since March. Fourteen people have died, with Public Health awaiting death certificates on at least five patients to see if coronavirus was the cause of death. Emporia’s current mask mandate goes through Sept. 16.
Areawide, the number of active cases is as follows:
*Chase County: 37
*Coffey County: 1
*Greenwood County: 1
*Morris County: 3
*Osage County: 7
*Wabaunsee County: 5
