With certain metrics on the rise in Lyon County, health professionals are encouraging continued mitigation strategies as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
Lyon County Public Health Emergency Preparedness Director Jennifer Millbern, KVOE’s Newsmaker guest Thursday, says over the last week Public Health reported 33 new COVID cases up from 19 the previous week. Additionally, Millbern says the county’s test positivity rate has steadily increased from 4.23 percent on Mar. 11 to right around six percent in recent weeks.
Millbern says this is a possible sign that transmission is on the rise in the county, despite there being only 39 active cases as of Wednesday. Millbern says Public Health will continue to keep a close eye on the situation.
Millbern’s report Thursday, followed two major developments both locally and at the state level as Chase County chose to opt-out of Governor Laura Kelly’s mask mandate Tuesday followed by the governor signing senate bill 40 Wednesday which will see all statewide COVID mandates end on Mar. 31 — mask mandate included. Even with these developments, Millbern says it is too soon for Lyon County to move away from its mask mandate with the apparent increase in transmission.
Public Health is holding its largest primary clinic to date Thursday, administering 1,500 Johnson and Johnson doses. A revax clinic for the Pfizer vaccine is coming Friday at the Fairgrounds Anderson Building.
Millbern and Public Health are reminding residents who received their initial Pfizer dose not to miss their appointment Friday as it is unknown when the county will receive additional Pfizer doses.
Millbern will continue to join KVOE’s Newsmaker segment every Thursday at 7:15 to discuss the local response to COVID-19. KVOE will also have the weekly COVID-19 Vaccination Briefing Mondays at 8:20 am.
