Recent trends in coronavirus activity have Lyon County Public Health urging residents to consider using non-congregate housing if they qualify.
Emergency Preparedness Director Jennifer Millbern says it’s a good option if people need isolation without going to a hospital or if they need to quarantine — especially if they come from large households or situations where more than one household uses one living space.
The housing is free for those needing it and also provides three meals a day and free laundry. The Kansas Department of Children and Families has administered the non-congregate housing program since it began in April.
On Friday, Lyon County passed 900 total cases as 15 new cases were logged. The county currently has 98 active cases, near the Aug. 30 number of 100 and approaching the May 10 count of 114. With 5,628 residents tested since late March, the overall percent positivity rate is 16.2 percent. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is reporting a largely flat weekly positivity rate since Aug. 16, now at 7.43 percent, but KDHE says the number of tests dropped significantly between the weeks of Aug. 9 and Aug. 16 — and testing dropped again from 578 the week starting Aug. 23 to 269 for the week starting Aug. 30.
When all seven area counties are considered, the total caseload is at 1,271 and the active case count is at 163 as of Friday’s data.
For more information, call Public Health at 208-3741.
