Kansas Health Secretary Lee Norman is looking forward to more COVID-19 tests coming to the state in the next few weeks.
As part of Governor Laura Kelly’s daily news briefing Wednesday, Norman reiterated his statement from Monday that over 60,000 tests could be coming to Kansas in addition to the testing capacity through the Department of Health and Environment. That amount of tests will let the state test people who don’t have symptoms.
Even with more tests coming in, the state will need more swabs to complete the test. Norman says the state needs to avoid swabs with any natural component because the DNA from wood or cotton would invalidate the tests.
Separately, Norman also mentioned the Unacast GPS tracking system to gauge social distancing results, whether it’s in following the six-foot distance between people or in reducing non-essential travel. Norman says residents “have to get serious” about social distancing and minimizing travel. He also tried to dispel fears about Big Brother watching and gaining personal information.
KDHE says over 480 residents have contracted COVID-19. Ten have died, including a patient at Life Care Center in Burlington.
KDHE also has a new layout for its COVID-19 online dashboard. Click here for a link to that information.
