A combination of factors has led Lyon County commissioners to issue a state of disaster emergency.
On Friday morning, Newman Regional Health asked Lyon County Emergency Management to order two ventilators from the state’s Emergency Operations Center, but Lyon County Public Information Officer Tammy Vopat says the state couldn’t respond because Lyon County didn’t have a local emergency declaration in place. That changed when Commission Chair Rollie Martin issued a verbal declaration.
Newman Regional Health Chief Executive Officer Bob Wright says the ongoing COVID surge has brought patients to the hospital who need a higher level of care than normal, including the use of ventilators.
Wright thanked the County Commission for acting quickly on its request. He says the state helicoptered one of its 10 available ventilators to Emporia shortly after the declaration was official.
The declaration is currently limited to the hospital’s situation, but as COVID-19 cases increase, commissioners will revisit the prospects of county-wide mitigation policies next week.
Commissioners have called a special meeting for 11 am Monday at the Courthouse Commission Chambers. Lyon County Health Officer Dr. Ladun Oyenuga will present a review of the current situation as part of a discussion on Lyon County’s public health order. Commissioners will then have an executive session on legal matters before adjourning. Commissioner Scott Briggs:
Action is possible at the end of the meeting.
Lyon County moved away from mandated mask use, social distancing and mass gathering limits in early April 2021, recommending those steps over the last nine months but not dictating them.
