At a time where COVID-19 numbers are beginning to show improvement across the state, Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Dr. Lee Norman says there are still some problem areas they are keeping a close eye on.
During a special news briefing Monday, Dr. Norman reported the state has only experienced one new COVID-19 related death since Friday, the lowest increase since the pandemic began. Additionally, Norman compared Kansas’ current caseload of 8,340 cases to case numbers from neighboring states Nebraska and Iowa.
According to the report, Kansas currently has roughly 6,000 fewer cases than Iowa and just over 2,000 cases less than Nebraska. Both Nebraska and Iowa, according to Norman, have yet to implement any stay home orders as part of their COVID-19 response efforts.
Despite these positive signs in Kansas, Norman says there are still five counties being considered as highly problematic. This includes Lyon, Ford, Johnson, Seward and Wyandotte Counties.
Also during the conference, Norman detailed the state’s seven lines of effort which the KDHE utilizes to help organize their response procedures to the COVID-19 pandemic. Amid these efforts was “best practices research” where the Kansas Health Institute has been collecting data and information from around the globe regarding “learned lessons” which can help benefit local response efforts.
Norman says this information is crucial as the state is in the midst of “putting out a house fire within another house fire.” Governor Kelly last week made similar remarks regarding the importance of information from other regions and areas on how to best proceed with reopening efforts.
Norman says he does not want to let any of this precious information “slip through our fingers” as the Ad Astra recovery plan’s phase 1.5 went into effect Monday morning.
Governor Laura Kelly will be holding her regular news briefings Tuesday and Thursday at 1 pm and 2 pm respectively. You can listen into those conferences on KVOE 1400 am, 96.9 fm and KVOE.com.
