Following is the Saline County Health Department COVID-19 update for Wednesday.

Three additional members of our community have lost their lives to COVID-19 since our last update on Friday.

Another 279 people have had COVID-19 positive test results reported to the Saline County Health Department.

The Salina Regional Health Center reports that 19 people are hospitalized due to COVID-19.

There are a recorded 2,695 active cases of COVID-19. Due to this overwhelmingly high number of cases, the Saline County Health Department will only be contacting those under 18 years old or who have requested an isolation letter for their employers.

If you test positive and require a letter for work, please contact the Health Department at 785.826.6600.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001npxnwP8GtSGezK8Ah_g-mJt7ityIVxtPirwiFFu2pYenhh0aJz4qxrAC3os3Ezvu-Y7VPWzE7jvP39FBVDBfsjr71a0C9A4zOZC6j0ka8MjTophVz-VvJWjmLKQDWyURIV4x-OZQT1IXGWjUSNNvIBXoWsmsU12m&amp;c=42tbnxxs75Y4JlZpYntVzX1zgmSled-Dqm5-z7EB3lSdTLTAHiOreQ==&amp;ch=02ejpytgnc_TKAYOg-r41PewhE-nxr1cv4B7A2tmekYDRevS5k6w5Q==" target="_blank">Saline County&nbsp;COVID Information</a>

<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001npxnwP8GtSGezK8Ah_g-mJt7ityIVxtPirwiFFu2pYenhh0aJz4qxo5yeK1PS3eOX_ifP-_MmmbndhfPLsR5hIkJreRMwyHl5MHiu_DwLnhH0X9GQ9MhL58nd32ZGoHAm-_jvL72GePo6QfIaI2Gq8QOeN4TTlERw1NPcH6loWJ-Jxli4hdxGtBJ32nbzigN&amp;c=42tbnxxs75Y4JlZpYntVzX1zgmSled-Dqm5-z7EB3lSdTLTAHiOreQ==&amp;ch=02ejpytgnc_TKAYOg-r41PewhE-nxr1cv4B7A2tmekYDRevS5k6w5Q==" target="_blank">Kansas&nbsp;COVID Overview</a>

<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001npxnwP8GtSGezK8Ah_g-mJt7ityIVxtPirwiFFu2pYenhh0aJz4qxq-7iYmtARMNTDFKFpbBT16z2UyTDXyV-mwEfkf4DLgSTzFfzYpQDIn3ADEAYLiDpdgD81qucrGFqT9yMRs-itWvMqXqYiWYVdtpexg0E0Joi9aJLbOar_DcBApGCUJQSxIVRa68vXaP&amp;c=42tbnxxs75Y4JlZpYntVzX1zgmSled-Dqm5-z7EB3lSdTLTAHiOreQ==&amp;ch=02ejpytgnc_TKAYOg-r41PewhE-nxr1cv4B7A2tmekYDRevS5k6w5Q==" target="_blank">US COVID Data Tracker</a>

COVID Vaccination Update for Saline County

●An additional 125 people were vaccinated against COVID-19 this week, an increase of .2 percent.

●A total of 29,654 residents of Saline County have been vaccinated, accounting for 54.7 percent of the total population.

<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001npxnwP8GtSGezK8Ah_g-mJt7ityIVxtPirwiFFu2pYenhh0aJz4qxslPqYete4iLV5CPsCZcnx9s6xsLSHr3UtjlvyrwpjydnWDaC_ciQHafaQnZm89JpzAFwidrrSUDA17wPFu2R9FG-SRldQCJoA==&amp;c=42tbnxxs75Y4JlZpYntVzX1zgmSled-Dqm5-z7EB3lSdTLTAHiOreQ==&amp;ch=02ejpytgnc_TKAYOg-r41PewhE-nxr1cv4B7A2tmekYDRevS5k6w5Q==" target="_blank">Vaccine Finder</a>

<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001npxnwP8GtSGezK8Ah_g-mJt7ityIVxtPirwiFFu2pYenhh0aJz4qxmE7jRcGyE5iilzeFaDQ5Zpzgan1MElwWwn_1z9z0Vfmw1yTUKSa44HTam7fcpoybbtWPNsB8DkFaZwM5924WdrHC9QQ7Tc_MnIMT9gxY9nWPeMihCHWfGo=&amp;c=42tbnxxs75Y4JlZpYntVzX1zgmSled-Dqm5-z7EB3lSdTLTAHiOreQ==&amp;ch=02ejpytgnc_TKAYOg-r41PewhE-nxr1cv4B7A2tmekYDRevS5k6w5Q==" target="_blank">Vaccinate Saline County</a>

The best way to stop the spread of COVID-19 and thus prevent mutation of the virus is:

●Stay home&nbsp;if you are sick.

●Get tested&nbsp;if you feel unwell, even if you don’t believe it is COVID. You can find testing centers at&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001npxnwP8GtSGezK8Ah_g-mJt7ityIVxtPirwiFFu2pYenhh0aJz4qxqcPyrn10LFe883DRx6ytfyWmHAyr1bLF8YWXlX8WH9dkPuqKrGJUS4uPgVUOKYrzWxaKHNZ0vkeKS--RUswAgBFnKpQyjZBl-3pqC7DxQZi8BXGjD8QndE=&amp;c=42tbnxxs75Y4JlZpYntVzX1zgmSled-Dqm5-z7EB3lSdTLTAHiOreQ==&amp;ch=02ejpytgnc_TKAYOg-r41PewhE-nxr1cv4B7A2tmekYDRevS5k6w5Q==" target="_blank">VaccinateSalineCountyKS.com/testing</a>&nbsp;or contact your local medical provider.

●Get vaccinated. You can find a vaccine at&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001npxnwP8GtSGezK8Ah_g-mJt7ityIVxtPirwiFFu2pYenhh0aJz4qxslPqYete4iLV5CPsCZcnx9s6xsLSHr3UtjlvyrwpjydnWDaC_ciQHafaQnZm89JpzAFwidrrSUDA17wPFu2R9FG-SRldQCJoA==&amp;c=42tbnxxs75Y4JlZpYntVzX1zgmSled-Dqm5-z7EB3lSdTLTAHiOreQ==&amp;ch=02ejpytgnc_TKAYOg-r41PewhE-nxr1cv4B7A2tmekYDRevS5k6w5Q==" target="_blank">vaccines.gov</a>&nbsp;or contact your local medical provider.

●Wear a mask, especially if you are not fully vaccinated. If you are fully vaccinated, wear a mask when indoors in crowded spaces.

●Maintain at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and those with whom you do not live.

●Do not travel to&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001npxnwP8GtSGezK8Ah_g-mJt7ityIVxtPirwiFFu2pYenhh0aJz4qxslPqYete4iLuYm-5DBqNTwjj_5eXwwrK75lye8qixdZgq1o4Cz69FPPMXX-LDaK4is2mXdMcYprvADDw159mOiWP3BFLmv1soFV2L3Xh7edZsUdrzJ-MrDjbIiRxWU8sZ9ICDwlmsaRiD_yLPSwj8Hwi2oM18hYCdVI9Y054Css&amp;c=42tbnxxs75Y4JlZpYntVzX1zgmSled-Dqm5-z7EB3lSdTLTAHiOreQ==&amp;ch=02ejpytgnc_TKAYOg-r41PewhE-nxr1cv4B7A2tmekYDRevS5k6w5Q==" target="_blank">“hot spots."</a>

●If you test positive, isolate immediately and be open and honest with COVID caseworkers about your contacts.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Following is the Saline County Health Department COVID-19 update for Wednesday.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643237173847.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Three additional members of our community have lost their lives to COVID-19 since our last update on Friday. Another 279 people have had COVID-19 positive test results reported to the Saline County Health Department. The Salina Regional Health Center reports that 19 people are hospitalized due to COVID-19. There are a recorded 2,695 active cases of COVID-19. Due to this overwhelmingly high number of cases, the Saline County Health Department will only be contacting those under 18 years old or who have requested an isolation letter for their employers. If you test positive and require a letter for work, please contact the Health Department at 785.826.6600.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001npxnwP8GtSGezK8Ah_g-mJt7ityIVxtPirwiFFu2pYenhh0aJz4qxrAC3os3Ezvu-Y7VPWzE7jvP39FBVDBfsjr71a0C9A4zOZC6j0ka8MjTophVz-VvJWjmLKQDWyURIV4x-OZQT1IXGWjUSNNvIBXoWsmsU12m&amp;c=42tbnxxs75Y4JlZpYntVzX1zgmSled-Dqm5-z7EB3lSdTLTAHiOreQ==&amp;ch=02ejpytgnc_TKAYOg-r41PewhE-nxr1cv4B7A2tmekYDRevS5k6w5Q==" target="_blank">Saline County&nbsp;COVID Information</a><a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001npxnwP8GtSGezK8Ah_g-mJt7ityIVxtPirwiFFu2pYenhh0aJz4qxo5yeK1PS3eOX_ifP-_MmmbndhfPLsR5hIkJreRMwyHl5MHiu_DwLnhH0X9GQ9MhL58nd32ZGoHAm-_jvL72GePo6QfIaI2Gq8QOeN4TTlERw1NPcH6loWJ-Jxli4hdxGtBJ32nbzigN&amp;c=42tbnxxs75Y4JlZpYntVzX1zgmSled-Dqm5-z7EB3lSdTLTAHiOreQ==&amp;ch=02ejpytgnc_TKAYOg-r41PewhE-nxr1cv4B7A2tmekYDRevS5k6w5Q==" target="_blank">Kansas&nbsp;COVID Overview</a><a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001npxnwP8GtSGezK8Ah_g-mJt7ityIVxtPirwiFFu2pYenhh0aJz4qxq-7iYmtARMNTDFKFpbBT16z2UyTDXyV-mwEfkf4DLgSTzFfzYpQDIn3ADEAYLiDpdgD81qucrGFqT9yMRs-itWvMqXqYiWYVdtpexg0E0Joi9aJLbOar_DcBApGCUJQSxIVRa68vXaP&amp;c=42tbnxxs75Y4JlZpYntVzX1zgmSled-Dqm5-z7EB3lSdTLTAHiOreQ==&amp;ch=02ejpytgnc_TKAYOg-r41PewhE-nxr1cv4B7A2tmekYDRevS5k6w5Q==" target="_blank">US COVID Data Tracker</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643236928565.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>COVID Vaccination Update for Saline County ●An additional 125 people were vaccinated against COVID-19 this week, an increase of .2 percent.●A total of 29,654 residents of Saline County have been vaccinated, accounting for 54.7 percent of the total population.<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001npxnwP8GtSGezK8Ah_g-mJt7ityIVxtPirwiFFu2pYenhh0aJz4qxslPqYete4iLV5CPsCZcnx9s6xsLSHr3UtjlvyrwpjydnWDaC_ciQHafaQnZm89JpzAFwidrrSUDA17wPFu2R9FG-SRldQCJoA==&amp;c=42tbnxxs75Y4JlZpYntVzX1zgmSled-Dqm5-z7EB3lSdTLTAHiOreQ==&amp;ch=02ejpytgnc_TKAYOg-r41PewhE-nxr1cv4B7A2tmekYDRevS5k6w5Q==" target="_blank">Vaccine Finder</a><a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001npxnwP8GtSGezK8Ah_g-mJt7ityIVxtPirwiFFu2pYenhh0aJz4qxmE7jRcGyE5iilzeFaDQ5Zpzgan1MElwWwn_1z9z0Vfmw1yTUKSa44HTam7fcpoybbtWPNsB8DkFaZwM5924WdrHC9QQ7Tc_MnIMT9gxY9nWPeMihCHWfGo=&amp;c=42tbnxxs75Y4JlZpYntVzX1zgmSled-Dqm5-z7EB3lSdTLTAHiOreQ==&amp;ch=02ejpytgnc_TKAYOg-r41PewhE-nxr1cv4B7A2tmekYDRevS5k6w5Q==" target="_blank">Vaccinate Saline County</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643063989783.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The best way to stop the spread of COVID-19 and thus prevent mutation of the virus is:●Stay home&nbsp;if you are sick.●Get tested&nbsp;if you feel unwell, even if you don’t believe it is COVID. You can find testing centers at&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001npxnwP8GtSGezK8Ah_g-mJt7ityIVxtPirwiFFu2pYenhh0aJz4qxqcPyrn10LFe883DRx6ytfyWmHAyr1bLF8YWXlX8WH9dkPuqKrGJUS4uPgVUOKYrzWxaKHNZ0vkeKS--RUswAgBFnKpQyjZBl-3pqC7DxQZi8BXGjD8QndE=&amp;c=42tbnxxs75Y4JlZpYntVzX1zgmSled-Dqm5-z7EB3lSdTLTAHiOreQ==&amp;ch=02ejpytgnc_TKAYOg-r41PewhE-nxr1cv4B7A2tmekYDRevS5k6w5Q==" target="_blank">VaccinateSalineCountyKS.com/testing</a>&nbsp;or contact your local medical provider.●Get vaccinated. You can find a vaccine at&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001npxnwP8GtSGezK8Ah_g-mJt7ityIVxtPirwiFFu2pYenhh0aJz4qxslPqYete4iLV5CPsCZcnx9s6xsLSHr3UtjlvyrwpjydnWDaC_ciQHafaQnZm89JpzAFwidrrSUDA17wPFu2R9FG-SRldQCJoA==&amp;c=42tbnxxs75Y4JlZpYntVzX1zgmSled-Dqm5-z7EB3lSdTLTAHiOreQ==&amp;ch=02ejpytgnc_TKAYOg-r41PewhE-nxr1cv4B7A2tmekYDRevS5k6w5Q==" target="_blank">vaccines.gov</a>&nbsp;or contact your local medical provider.●Wear a mask, especially if you are not fully vaccinated. If you are fully vaccinated, wear a mask when indoors in crowded spaces.●Maintain at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and those with whom you do not live.●Do not travel to&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001npxnwP8GtSGezK8Ah_g-mJt7ityIVxtPirwiFFu2pYenhh0aJz4qxslPqYete4iLuYm-5DBqNTwjj_5eXwwrK75lye8qixdZgq1o4Cz69FPPMXX-LDaK4is2mXdMcYprvADDw159mOiWP3BFLmv1soFV2L3Xh7edZsUdrzJ-MrDjbIiRxWU8sZ9ICDwlmsaRiD_yLPSwj8Hwi2oM18hYCdVI9Y054Css&amp;c=42tbnxxs75Y4JlZpYntVzX1zgmSled-Dqm5-z7EB3lSdTLTAHiOreQ==&amp;ch=02ejpytgnc_TKAYOg-r41PewhE-nxr1cv4B7A2tmekYDRevS5k6w5Q==" target="_blank">“hot spots."</a>●If you test positive, isolate immediately and be open and honest with COVID caseworkers about your contacts.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Saline County: 3 additional deaths, 279 new COVID-19 cases

Following is the Saline County Health Department COVID-19 update for Monday.

●There have been 299 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Saline County since our last update on Friday.

●Salina Regional Health Center reports that 20 people are currently hospitalized due to COVID-19.

●There are currently a reported 2,682 active cases of COVID-19 in Saline County.

More data and additional information can be found on the&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016prgpXt126qVprY91bRubx6flh8_Sf_ADqufXePfz3moRmBYw_FQdWafg9ksz2SEBnC-eOCyTvRuxIlZTjs7eSsuWEX-w61knTqjnxOILt45vZPiRmZPzRg6KealG_oT4J-MOJNze5S7D2WEs_XarmhU-HNVSe3M&amp;c=EY_WGgGbO60sZMsRaXQDpYkAloYLs_2pKVD4JPeFUN_9wTptHwkaEg==&amp;ch=wEw9Xg682LdYrMxEAsskqEmNIQB18w_p9qP9PR-ELM58smiWwPfnoQ==" target="_blank">Saline County Coronavirus webpage</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016prgpXt126qVprY91bRubx6flh8_Sf_ADqufXePfz3moRmBYw_FQdZS-wxIXvVGPs-Bys8V4UHIL79rcFa5AOkae6d3kQXWwveGjExlJtzcKWrEbl-P2kZTp_oDWv6y6UGe8jFY4OU1tDoBgHM5YZI9GblsqgDs5hOzYfaeajcWzKsRcNKta3VN9KW093cmj&amp;c=EY_WGgGbO60sZMsRaXQDpYkAloYLs_2pKVD4JPeFUN_9wTptHwkaEg==&amp;ch=wEw9Xg682LdYrMxEAsskqEmNIQB18w_p9qP9PR-ELM58smiWwPfnoQ==" target="_blank">CDC COVID-19 Tracker</a>.

<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016prgpXt126qVprY91bRubx6flh8_Sf_ADqufXePfz3moRmBYw_FQdazquNv_SGYPCFMyTLxhfkh8ul12Q76w_SgBTjT-1NV2dDSVdexrsP7pXAiIZ_rcYneopyfGek5JQcTF5o_-RzIYN6yvWmOLGRGD7AvtPAK6qbOcI_F-rqn4dBQc7RX8BYMqFMI3UghI4jeHLHFlWHmSfU7hKWpJFA==&amp;c=EY_WGgGbO60sZMsRaXQDpYkAloYLs_2pKVD4JPeFUN_9wTptHwkaEg==&amp;ch=wEw9Xg682LdYrMxEAsskqEmNIQB18w_p9qP9PR-ELM58smiWwPfnoQ==" target="_blank">Saline County COVID Tracker for Desktop</a>

<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016prgpXt126qVprY91bRubx6flh8_Sf_ADqufXePfz3moRmBYw_FQdazquNv_SGYPoPhRK399rzQX7GIckNAap4bSl7xY6_qkx0tB45eSAYFX_oh1fQgbq9K42YqkgwBRAfIzI5zN6UHF9djYd3tYhuYwExUUmfC3trWg369Or18ce03m9h4dtGl-kMln24RgaULykCtGFz9i03k4L_K1qQ==&amp;c=EY_WGgGbO60sZMsRaXQDpYkAloYLs_2pKVD4JPeFUN_9wTptHwkaEg==&amp;ch=wEw9Xg682LdYrMxEAsskqEmNIQB18w_p9qP9PR-ELM58smiWwPfnoQ==" target="_blank">Saline County COVID Tracker for Mobile</a>

<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016prgpXt126qVprY91bRubx6flh8_Sf_ADqufXePfz3moRmBYw_FQdT1TB5DfcXPjlQyidHDWnCEKpP4sLJU6U7K4H8ynQSaqYwyRAztG7A63iFG8Chh3zNpFLY6gLuVpw9WqkufRt7qdUQnqejQGFw==&amp;c=EY_WGgGbO60sZMsRaXQDpYkAloYLs_2pKVD4JPeFUN_9wTptHwkaEg==&amp;ch=wEw9Xg682LdYrMxEAsskqEmNIQB18w_p9qP9PR-ELM58smiWwPfnoQ==" target="_blank">Vaccine Finder</a>

<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016prgpXt126qVprY91bRubx6flh8_Sf_ADqufXePfz3moRmBYw_FQdfLvG7zKCTcqVX7nsrwCn_790qOFhOrgpReNgEfW3oKANKi9KiAy7Prk_IycHUwedXOwttcyXY6ucvpAIvCraUM8DQ1GzihMuBOalH98fhYJHiGA7qjK9TuRHVM0il-Fhw==&amp;c=EY_WGgGbO60sZMsRaXQDpYkAloYLs_2pKVD4JPeFUN_9wTptHwkaEg==&amp;ch=wEw9Xg682LdYrMxEAsskqEmNIQB18w_p9qP9PR-ELM58smiWwPfnoQ==" target="_blank">Local COVID Testing</a>

●Get tested&nbsp;if you feel unwell, even if you don’t believe it is COVID. You can find testing centers at&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016prgpXt126qVprY91bRubx6flh8_Sf_ADqufXePfz3moRmBYw_FQdScgPUBtAprJb0bmEFxNhWkEobcjUa9bx7PWVm0ErLDsyelql0eKpsSAirJlMdxcP5iZbsbiQdqO3YHHVcfs4UMbE73eoahAeHd96rjXqstmUxC-CzB0fBs=&amp;c=EY_WGgGbO60sZMsRaXQDpYkAloYLs_2pKVD4JPeFUN_9wTptHwkaEg==&amp;ch=wEw9Xg682LdYrMxEAsskqEmNIQB18w_p9qP9PR-ELM58smiWwPfnoQ==" target="_blank">VaccinateSalineCountyKS.com/testing</a>&nbsp;or contact your local medical provider.

●Get vaccinated. You can find a vaccine at&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016prgpXt126qVprY91bRubx6flh8_Sf_ADqufXePfz3moRmBYw_FQdT1TB5DfcXPjlQyidHDWnCEKpP4sLJU6U7K4H8ynQSaqYwyRAztG7A63iFG8Chh3zNpFLY6gLuVpw9WqkufRt7qdUQnqejQGFw==&amp;c=EY_WGgGbO60sZMsRaXQDpYkAloYLs_2pKVD4JPeFUN_9wTptHwkaEg==&amp;ch=wEw9Xg682LdYrMxEAsskqEmNIQB18w_p9qP9PR-ELM58smiWwPfnoQ==" target="_blank">vaccines.gov</a>&nbsp;or contact your local medical provider.

●Do not travel to&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016prgpXt126qVprY91bRubx6flh8_Sf_ADqufXePfz3moRmBYw_FQdT1TB5DfcXPjKWm8_65Bbpv4ssLOUSDZ1Ik8hAXY7hGZpoh9mjAqGFCknEiVm8nPvdqHrDpUMkN3uTiOAcSi7T6V0e5Bm7s574vUO8p2OPIL_9rveVMzLfAZJf9-RXdSvng0Y7c1mEVgQ0tilHAb4wKpkUY_XuCLkZ-nw7Ok8Ofu&amp;c=EY_WGgGbO60sZMsRaXQDpYkAloYLs_2pKVD4JPeFUN_9wTptHwkaEg==&amp;ch=wEw9Xg682LdYrMxEAsskqEmNIQB18w_p9qP9PR-ELM58smiWwPfnoQ==" target="_blank">“hot spots."</a>

●If you test positive, isolate immediately and be open and honest with COVID caseworkers about your contacts.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643064139757.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Following is the Saline County Health Department COVID-19 update for Monday.●There have been 299 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Saline County since our last update on Friday.●Salina Regional Health Center reports that 20 people are currently hospitalized due to COVID-19.●There are currently a reported 2,682 active cases of COVID-19 in Saline County.More data and additional information can be found on the&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016prgpXt126qVprY91bRubx6flh8_Sf_ADqufXePfz3moRmBYw_FQdWafg9ksz2SEBnC-eOCyTvRuxIlZTjs7eSsuWEX-w61knTqjnxOILt45vZPiRmZPzRg6KealG_oT4J-MOJNze5S7D2WEs_XarmhU-HNVSe3M&amp;c=EY_WGgGbO60sZMsRaXQDpYkAloYLs_2pKVD4JPeFUN_9wTptHwkaEg==&amp;ch=wEw9Xg682LdYrMxEAsskqEmNIQB18w_p9qP9PR-ELM58smiWwPfnoQ==" target="_blank">Saline County Coronavirus webpage</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016prgpXt126qVprY91bRubx6flh8_Sf_ADqufXePfz3moRmBYw_FQdZS-wxIXvVGPs-Bys8V4UHIL79rcFa5AOkae6d3kQXWwveGjExlJtzcKWrEbl-P2kZTp_oDWv6y6UGe8jFY4OU1tDoBgHM5YZI9GblsqgDs5hOzYfaeajcWzKsRcNKta3VN9KW093cmj&amp;c=EY_WGgGbO60sZMsRaXQDpYkAloYLs_2pKVD4JPeFUN_9wTptHwkaEg==&amp;ch=wEw9Xg682LdYrMxEAsskqEmNIQB18w_p9qP9PR-ELM58smiWwPfnoQ==" target="_blank">CDC COVID-19 Tracker</a>.

<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016prgpXt126qVprY91bRubx6flh8_Sf_ADqufXePfz3moRmBYw_FQdazquNv_SGYPCFMyTLxhfkh8ul12Q76w_SgBTjT-1NV2dDSVdexrsP7pXAiIZ_rcYneopyfGek5JQcTF5o_-RzIYN6yvWmOLGRGD7AvtPAK6qbOcI_F-rqn4dBQc7RX8BYMqFMI3UghI4jeHLHFlWHmSfU7hKWpJFA==&amp;c=EY_WGgGbO60sZMsRaXQDpYkAloYLs_2pKVD4JPeFUN_9wTptHwkaEg==&amp;ch=wEw9Xg682LdYrMxEAsskqEmNIQB18w_p9qP9PR-ELM58smiWwPfnoQ==" target="_blank">Saline County COVID Tracker for Desktop</a><a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016prgpXt126qVprY91bRubx6flh8_Sf_ADqufXePfz3moRmBYw_FQdazquNv_SGYPoPhRK399rzQX7GIckNAap4bSl7xY6_qkx0tB45eSAYFX_oh1fQgbq9K42YqkgwBRAfIzI5zN6UHF9djYd3tYhuYwExUUmfC3trWg369Or18ce03m9h4dtGl-kMln24RgaULykCtGFz9i03k4L_K1qQ==&amp;c=EY_WGgGbO60sZMsRaXQDpYkAloYLs_2pKVD4JPeFUN_9wTptHwkaEg==&amp;ch=wEw9Xg682LdYrMxEAsskqEmNIQB18w_p9qP9PR-ELM58smiWwPfnoQ==" target="_blank">Saline County COVID Tracker for Mobile</a><a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016prgpXt126qVprY91bRubx6flh8_Sf_ADqufXePfz3moRmBYw_FQdT1TB5DfcXPjlQyidHDWnCEKpP4sLJU6U7K4H8ynQSaqYwyRAztG7A63iFG8Chh3zNpFLY6gLuVpw9WqkufRt7qdUQnqejQGFw==&amp;c=EY_WGgGbO60sZMsRaXQDpYkAloYLs_2pKVD4JPeFUN_9wTptHwkaEg==&amp;ch=wEw9Xg682LdYrMxEAsskqEmNIQB18w_p9qP9PR-ELM58smiWwPfnoQ==" target="_blank">Vaccine Finder</a><a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016prgpXt126qVprY91bRubx6flh8_Sf_ADqufXePfz3moRmBYw_FQdfLvG7zKCTcqVX7nsrwCn_790qOFhOrgpReNgEfW3oKANKi9KiAy7Prk_IycHUwedXOwttcyXY6ucvpAIvCraUM8DQ1GzihMuBOalH98fhYJHiGA7qjK9TuRHVM0il-Fhw==&amp;c=EY_WGgGbO60sZMsRaXQDpYkAloYLs_2pKVD4JPeFUN_9wTptHwkaEg==&amp;ch=wEw9Xg682LdYrMxEAsskqEmNIQB18w_p9qP9PR-ELM58smiWwPfnoQ==" target="_blank">Local COVID Testing</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643063989783.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The best way to stop the spread of COVID-19 and thus prevent mutation of the virus is:●Stay home&nbsp;if you are sick.●Get tested&nbsp;if you feel unwell, even if you don’t believe it is COVID. You can find testing centers at&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016prgpXt126qVprY91bRubx6flh8_Sf_ADqufXePfz3moRmBYw_FQdScgPUBtAprJb0bmEFxNhWkEobcjUa9bx7PWVm0ErLDsyelql0eKpsSAirJlMdxcP5iZbsbiQdqO3YHHVcfs4UMbE73eoahAeHd96rjXqstmUxC-CzB0fBs=&amp;c=EY_WGgGbO60sZMsRaXQDpYkAloYLs_2pKVD4JPeFUN_9wTptHwkaEg==&amp;ch=wEw9Xg682LdYrMxEAsskqEmNIQB18w_p9qP9PR-ELM58smiWwPfnoQ==" target="_blank">VaccinateSalineCountyKS.com/testing</a>&nbsp;or contact your local medical provider.●Get vaccinated. You can find a vaccine at&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016prgpXt126qVprY91bRubx6flh8_Sf_ADqufXePfz3moRmBYw_FQdT1TB5DfcXPjlQyidHDWnCEKpP4sLJU6U7K4H8ynQSaqYwyRAztG7A63iFG8Chh3zNpFLY6gLuVpw9WqkufRt7qdUQnqejQGFw==&amp;c=EY_WGgGbO60sZMsRaXQDpYkAloYLs_2pKVD4JPeFUN_9wTptHwkaEg==&amp;ch=wEw9Xg682LdYrMxEAsskqEmNIQB18w_p9qP9PR-ELM58smiWwPfnoQ==" target="_blank">vaccines.gov</a>&nbsp;or contact your local medical provider.●Wear a mask, especially if you are not fully vaccinated. If you are fully vaccinated, wear a mask when indoors in crowded spaces.●Maintain at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and those with whom you do not live.●Do not travel to&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016prgpXt126qVprY91bRubx6flh8_Sf_ADqufXePfz3moRmBYw_FQdT1TB5DfcXPjKWm8_65Bbpv4ssLOUSDZ1Ik8hAXY7hGZpoh9mjAqGFCknEiVm8nPvdqHrDpUMkN3uTiOAcSi7T6V0e5Bm7s574vUO8p2OPIL_9rveVMzLfAZJf9-RXdSvng0Y7c1mEVgQ0tilHAb4wKpkUY_XuCLkZ-nw7Ok8Ofu&amp;c=EY_WGgGbO60sZMsRaXQDpYkAloYLs_2pKVD4JPeFUN_9wTptHwkaEg==&amp;ch=wEw9Xg682LdYrMxEAsskqEmNIQB18w_p9qP9PR-ELM58smiWwPfnoQ==" target="_blank">“hot spots."</a>●If you test positive, isolate immediately and be open and honest with COVID caseworkers about your contacts.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Saline County: 299 new COVID-19 cases; 10,132 of 13,008 cases recovered

Following is the Saline County Health Department COVID-19 update for Friday.

It's not just COVID. It's everything

The first known case of COVID-19 in Saline County was reported on March 28, 2020, marking the beginning of the pandemic in Saline County. With the second anniversary quickly approaching, the local healthcare community is strained more than ever before.&nbsp;

As it stands today, at least 194 members of our community have lost their lives to COVID-19, accounting for more than two people per week since the pandemic began.&nbsp;

Salina Regional Health Center Over Capacity The surge of COVID-19 cases that started in mid-December has often put Salina Regional Health Center and many others across the state past maximum capacity. The patient load alone is enough to strain the resources of any hospital but is compounded by staffing shortages from illness and burnout.

"We've had between 25 and 30 COVID patients each day; with 6 to 12 of those in the ICU; 3 to 6 on ventilators; and usually 5 to 10 in the ER waiting for beds," explained Dr. Freelove, SRHC Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President. "Unfortunately, those aren't the only patients waiting for a bed. The hospital has been holding 8 to 15 non-COVID patients in the ER each day. All of our inpatient numbers would be higher if we had the staff and space to care for them."

At times, these COVID and non-COVID patients take up every single bed in Salina's emergency room, sometimes leaving no place for patients to be seen.

Car accidents and other tragedies don't stop when ER beds run out. In order to continue seeing emergency patients, the ER has overflowed to other areas of the hospital.

As a result, the hospital has had to cancel surgeries important to quality of life and even life itself. Salina Regional has been unable to accept transfers from neighboring counties, forcing these smaller hospitals to function well beyond their capacity, which puts all patients at risk.&nbsp;&nbsp;

What can I do? Know the difference in&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ivdskdoNjOwdHFoSOlHY8DKMOecniZ9SS8oKv8ZeGkcgwJvYLivWyyUepCnowuLv5AMO-QeToF3YdZit6YMy6YzWUWkXbAF9smX7w9O_UXJz2ULfzXHGgH7AGboQ5DSfXmd7QMprgSZJtCvc_TMQlhGsVi1YeS7NSBFqDtuVHHtdbrYMgY9heHoDHEP1z2P4NAYWaTN6Dlr5rdx2XbMHUX_KX7Dklm6_H1a9Ucx93FkdcO5HjRrA9Ddb-AwAusoQq7oyt93jOiBrtehzmfnsNQ==&amp;c=J7MMrus2qNCnu3PkIaEUNoY4h1eUIzqycAIZvzhV19Z9-g7_sJijAw==&amp;ch=Vp0vVItCa3MQvbl4x6_o2RoPl9TGvdmBbvxKh7M6hu0VGUJJqwBIsw==" target="_blank">Emergency vs. Urgent Care</a>&nbsp;and save the emergency room for emergencies.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The local supply of&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ivdskdoNjOwdHFoSOlHY8DKMOecniZ9SS8oKv8ZeGkcgwJvYLivWyyUepCnowuLvZOZ88P1zxaYi0ehChGCmn0hNGs9zlwx1Lc3G-lNseHe_aPiLFfBb9gIdC7xqpMlkJeYWqmqdv3O8M6h541b3Ip-8Pu3yN9NWi8cSF04rAHXYko0SQZqFp4NPJpOdZNUx-2h4jlydbb8yiSZDhYihJoQGJROXnImY&amp;c=J7MMrus2qNCnu3PkIaEUNoY4h1eUIzqycAIZvzhV19Z9-g7_sJijAw==&amp;ch=Vp0vVItCa3MQvbl4x6_o2RoPl9TGvdmBbvxKh7M6hu0VGUJJqwBIsw==" target="_blank">monoclonal antibodies</a>&nbsp;has run out, leaving fewer options to treat the mildly ill at high risk of severe disease.&nbsp;

On the testing front, local health agencies struggle daily with testing capacity and constantly battle test kit supply shortages. Test kit shortages lead to test rationing and extended turn-around times to get results for outpatient testing.

Testing supply is being further depleted by employers requiring lab-confirmed test results for employees to be excused from work. The health department has made&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ivdskdoNjOwdHFoSOlHY8DKMOecniZ9SS8oKv8ZeGkcgwJvYLivWyyUepCnowuLvsjsxyOzgQUKlqHa_qhzZNbX9od-eRppHoiZ5d-jtCkIJPwzzssTyHD87nBwkAdDo7MALX3ItjhsgEBwaMNPchHZjVQEhvrhpRsap-B5_4eLW35SffYn6RQ==&amp;c=J7MMrus2qNCnu3PkIaEUNoY4h1eUIzqycAIZvzhV19Z9-g7_sJijAw==&amp;ch=Vp0vVItCa3MQvbl4x6_o2RoPl9TGvdmBbvxKh7M6hu0VGUJJqwBIsw==" target="_blank">repeated pleas</a>&nbsp;with employers to re-think their policies.&nbsp;&nbsp;

What can I do?&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ivdskdoNjOwdHFoSOlHY8DKMOecniZ9SS8oKv8ZeGkcgwJvYLivWyyUepCnowuLv_xMgidGIq1TSgrFRD4QK-CUVFzL4m5AtrtlC6odFmd-x3MRsObiJXPplJ8f2zq2TazJLSx9hujknoSV8DMo72lnNJgEf1S94zk9MzVh6ihOwghbuC13BvlNRDozeJyuSZgNMiBLS_1eBGsIq9M6WTBGsUdzbbuEID1knhlDEFwkk9Au95wFTbLnXGjbby-UrhHxMPO3yUrQ=&amp;c=J7MMrus2qNCnu3PkIaEUNoY4h1eUIzqycAIZvzhV19Z9-g7_sJijAw==&amp;ch=Vp0vVItCa3MQvbl4x6_o2RoPl9TGvdmBbvxKh7M6hu0VGUJJqwBIsw==" target="_blank">Employers are an integral partner in public health.</a>&nbsp;Employers can adapt policies to allow at-home testing to be used in place of lab-confirmed testing if possible and to allow employees to stay home when they are sick without unnecessary financial burden.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Many countries have re-opened their borders but now require a negative test for entry. Testing requirements vary from country to country with many requiring the same vital testing supplies already being rationed in emergency rooms across the country. Artists across the country are also placing testing requirements on their concerts and public appearances.

What can I do? Don't&nbsp; travel unless absolutely necessary and avoid crowds.&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ivdskdoNjOwdHFoSOlHY8DKMOecniZ9SS8oKv8ZeGkcgwJvYLivWyyUepCnowuLvi0ssiDmoqWH43Zvqvke3LfiPTSbUEX-P7vWeHGe8KJwMb5xLf0LCK9wmlzIYFWE-uNAGcVoG5pbga935qgn8bgIuNu58XMebfuvGFLKR6zU-B2jmnZyIdi69mxDxJ7PEbQv4nTevUCrXtE92Aq7Z08hxx6AnCi-UUDUtzgbATUMTyXQlt6eTNiA1hgzzoM9JXfKKUj4dp4U=&amp;c=J7MMrus2qNCnu3PkIaEUNoY4h1eUIzqycAIZvzhV19Z9-g7_sJijAw==&amp;ch=Vp0vVItCa3MQvbl4x6_o2RoPl9TGvdmBbvxKh7M6hu0VGUJJqwBIsw==" target="_blank">Wear a mask</a>&nbsp;when you are in public, at work, or at school.&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ivdskdoNjOwdHFoSOlHY8DKMOecniZ9SS8oKv8ZeGkcgwJvYLivWy_03lu8NsLG8OZDfb-Wm_tsn7pkMcBojuA5Qct2ICXKk6_z6_zWlN8y4sKhCUAKLP0GO-4HJ_6bLFUxSrV6Ut7Q=&amp;c=J7MMrus2qNCnu3PkIaEUNoY4h1eUIzqycAIZvzhV19Z9-g7_sJijAw==&amp;ch=Vp0vVItCa3MQvbl4x6_o2RoPl9TGvdmBbvxKh7M6hu0VGUJJqwBIsw==" target="_blank">Get vaccinated and boosted</a>.&nbsp; &nbsp;

While the county struggles with lab-confirmed testing supplies, the demand for at-home test kits has been high.&nbsp;Salina Family Healthcare Center&nbsp;recently held a test kit giveaway and saw the entire supply of test kits depleted in a matter of minutes.

Strides have been made to make at-home testing more equitable for everyone. Insurance providers are now&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ivdskdoNjOwdHFoSOlHY8DKMOecniZ9SS8oKv8ZeGkcgwJvYLivWyyUepCnowuLvPNg4vfYLe41XESgZBCs7ytQnHhwGxp5O42CI0OmGmexVMxsYksOKtRfkGV8d1MlupeGWcZhJhMN3FKyNPicHLMbYXLMDCoXc0nGg_7W3xDUKg_bcfz2FmzZa5IYNFz35c-sBhDbTmcEYKJjiTxXtachCIhSTSIcFjodWvLu2x-bR0yndgS6XuF1tfprHOIaZtmhEhGfHdH6q1fos0wt_yyH1YG80FYum93-p8aPPbyxjrDcOBRL5W3_zrXheQPp5HTBR9PCq8gFKVw9nlW0rljMdC_rUyvnTMwSI77Km4l1BD4NoXgsxig==&amp;c=J7MMrus2qNCnu3PkIaEUNoY4h1eUIzqycAIZvzhV19Z9-g7_sJijAw==&amp;ch=Vp0vVItCa3MQvbl4x6_o2RoPl9TGvdmBbvxKh7M6hu0VGUJJqwBIsw==" target="_blank">required to cover the cost of up to eight at-home COVID tests</a>&nbsp;per person per month. Every home in the U.S. is eligible to&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ivdskdoNjOwdHFoSOlHY8DKMOecniZ9SS8oKv8ZeGkcgwJvYLivWyyUepCnowuLvz1FGhSpSn119OpxRdFWe8kATP3ucRbW_MEk89CSPmTjsf9z3Lc1ajxO0nn6GIECOsrZPifQY_IV-bWnIlz5PDw==&amp;c=J7MMrus2qNCnu3PkIaEUNoY4h1eUIzqycAIZvzhV19Z9-g7_sJijAw==&amp;ch=Vp0vVItCa3MQvbl4x6_o2RoPl9TGvdmBbvxKh7M6hu0VGUJJqwBIsw==" target="_blank">order four free at-home COVID-19 tests</a>.

The number one thing people can do to combat COVID-19 is to stay home if they feel sick.

"It doesn't matter if it's COVID or a cold - the healthcare community needs you to stay home," said Saline County Health Officer Jason Tiller. "Unfortunately, we've heard from a lot of our COVID-19 cases that their employer is requiring them to come to work or face negative repercussions."

Sick leave policies written prior to 2020 are outdated and should be re-examined or replaced to reflect the current health situation.&nbsp; &nbsp;

What can I do? If your company has a sick leave policy that is working for employees, we want to know! Reach out to the health department and&nbsp;<a href="mailto:melissa.mccoy@saline.org" target="_blank">let us know</a>&nbsp;what you are doing. Share your policies with similar businesses.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Employers hoping to use lab-confirmed tests to validate employees' claims of illness will face both test kit shortages and delayed results creating more problems than they might solve.&nbsp;Currently, there is up to a week-long wait to be tested outside the hospital setting and another week to receive the results.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"We need employers to use at-home testing for verification when possible," explained Tiller, a retired Army medic. "And to work with their employees to find solutions that don't risk viral spread."

See also:&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ivdskdoNjOwdHFoSOlHY8DKMOecniZ9SS8oKv8ZeGkcgwJvYLivWyyUepCnowuLvW7E9rSOVA7any6j50ecxLGm3cfef4jyuTZ-OAKbMJ2D498KIriRKp6Ubx0iA9rDwSnaBR4WLUE8WHleHS-aPESeDkP_1vpkZNEWI2tHjKNYMhVv_h7HmwhnxWs17MLTkceRrjlS2wkbIvAXo5mLjMhB5z040zuJwvp67Z1gdZBDb2Pu4UFSLtVYweVJLj6WU1NUPUmbtnwWiLTApSldeoQ==&amp;c=J7MMrus2qNCnu3PkIaEUNoY4h1eUIzqycAIZvzhV19Z9-g7_sJijAw==&amp;ch=Vp0vVItCa3MQvbl4x6_o2RoPl9TGvdmBbvxKh7M6hu0VGUJJqwBIsw==" target="_blank">The Real Reason Americans Aren't Isolating</a>&nbsp;

Hopefully, you have noticed the "What can I do?" call-out sections listed periodically throughout this article.&nbsp;

Your local healthcare community takes no joy in asking you to delay travel, miss work, stay home, and re-write long-standing policies. For years you have trusted us with the births of your children; you've come to us to mend your broken bones, heal your wounds, and repair your seen and unseen damage. We ask for your trust and support now and take action - real action.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Since our last update on Wednesday, four members of our community have lost their lives to COVID-19.

The Salina Regional Health Center reports that 23 are hospitalized battling COVID-19.

Another 328 positive COVID-19 test results have been reported to the Saline County Health Department since Wednesday. It is important to note, that this does not include home test kits or those who are presumed positive and do not test.

There are a recorded 2,772 active cases of COVID-19. Due to this overwhelmingly high number of cases, the Saline County Health Department will only be contacting those under 18 years old or who have requested an isolation letter for their employers. If you test positive and require a letter for work, please contact the Health Department at 785.826.6600.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ivdskdoNjOwdHFoSOlHY8DKMOecniZ9SS8oKv8ZeGkcgwJvYLivWy5lflyJHOgdf1JQrYceP2eEasGG3zSEvoxzjR8wxPC4aUJIu2jmALzO3P4NEmOlf43siqVo084sUrJG_dFMhqYVbzEi9HEkHEuj4cSt2mR_TobgxcR5haGgLKQWNBRptdC5-Pz5mhu6s8NuH5718xTtUIZBNdJmVGg==&amp;c=J7MMrus2qNCnu3PkIaEUNoY4h1eUIzqycAIZvzhV19Z9-g7_sJijAw==&amp;ch=Vp0vVItCa3MQvbl4x6_o2RoPl9TGvdmBbvxKh7M6hu0VGUJJqwBIsw==" target="_blank">Saline County COVID-19 Dashboard</a>

Check out what our trusted hometown medical professionals have to say about the COVID-19 vaccine.

IMPORTANT LINKS AND INFORMATION

<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ivdskdoNjOwdHFoSOlHY8DKMOecniZ9SS8oKv8ZeGkcgwJvYLivWyywtb_XP19BIxG242owYSUyBDXMw2LIE8Tt8GApoXT82fuSyjN8EofI1KT5-_hxix24BPpcQSaGf_CWQBxg3Cd0FSRyRIeAXGg==&amp;c=J7MMrus2qNCnu3PkIaEUNoY4h1eUIzqycAIZvzhV19Z9-g7_sJijAw==&amp;ch=Vp0vVItCa3MQvbl4x6_o2RoPl9TGvdmBbvxKh7M6hu0VGUJJqwBIsw==" target="_blank">SRHC COVID UPDATE</a>

<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ivdskdoNjOwdHFoSOlHY8DKMOecniZ9SS8oKv8ZeGkcgwJvYLivWy66jHHf9BvMorA1pHwy3lFRUR-1HLylF251NoJGzkJi_l4t4Z8bvwum23kPIKLWHuwbzBaMlwPQjuqVANdh73dgobHnpFnCI8SrMaX8b4Vbr&amp;c=J7MMrus2qNCnu3PkIaEUNoY4h1eUIzqycAIZvzhV19Z9-g7_sJijAw==&amp;ch=Vp0vVItCa3MQvbl4x6_o2RoPl9TGvdmBbvxKh7M6hu0VGUJJqwBIsw==" target="_blank">KDHE&nbsp;Coronavirus Website</a>

<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ivdskdoNjOwdHFoSOlHY8DKMOecniZ9SS8oKv8ZeGkcgwJvYLivWy66jHHf9BvMoXYc_ZXTq8KGIdbaIoHpfJvv1YAX3662afqy-W-eiIoCm-vjtJGx1CB4fzH3OYw_AlqBT_Nv0JxTk7aZSPsm-ViOSZ4X6Nhci&amp;c=J7MMrus2qNCnu3PkIaEUNoY4h1eUIzqycAIZvzhV19Z9-g7_sJijAw==&amp;ch=Vp0vVItCa3MQvbl4x6_o2RoPl9TGvdmBbvxKh7M6hu0VGUJJqwBIsw==" target="_blank">Saline County COVID Info</a>

<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ivdskdoNjOwdHFoSOlHY8DKMOecniZ9SS8oKv8ZeGkcgwJvYLivWyxVz51SJnOSByFEX3r9WWTEbrKYLfg9XMz5uSoV2sVFzqcCKSdqJ61SAYm8khTDUjpAtxSWVOvi7xW7nBcV0_Abv3l5xojAoOw==&amp;c=J7MMrus2qNCnu3PkIaEUNoY4h1eUIzqycAIZvzhV19Z9-g7_sJijAw==&amp;ch=Vp0vVItCa3MQvbl4x6_o2RoPl9TGvdmBbvxKh7M6hu0VGUJJqwBIsw==" target="_blank">Saline County News</a>

<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ivdskdoNjOwdHFoSOlHY8DKMOecniZ9SS8oKv8ZeGkcgwJvYLivWy84zvp23IPNAGt6n4tPQmGW44T_n8XfLmQ_22R0yfqB3AlLQZQ0ybvWfQlczGYg2f6zfsVvLs9dxcinbL7ds9AXw4V-xClHo_8OT6cUVhAvJw5SLf6wQUDE=&amp;c=J7MMrus2qNCnu3PkIaEUNoY4h1eUIzqycAIZvzhV19Z9-g7_sJijAw==&amp;ch=Vp0vVItCa3MQvbl4x6_o2RoPl9TGvdmBbvxKh7M6hu0VGUJJqwBIsw==" target="_blank">CDC COVID Tracker</a>

<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ivdskdoNjOwdHFoSOlHY8DKMOecniZ9SS8oKv8ZeGkcgwJvYLivWy3TbTLsF6NZ1SAKRKyoyGECFc8by746fKqnu2RLH5V9fh4eWDw7TNPR2QMekj6tZ32hXalMM4ZHBW9AsTToGFr19gmg8GgiyOuWaw-d4I1aAsL5HUeYx4dsp2E9Thxe_KQ==&amp;c=J7MMrus2qNCnu3PkIaEUNoY4h1eUIzqycAIZvzhV19Z9-g7_sJijAw==&amp;ch=Vp0vVItCa3MQvbl4x6_o2RoPl9TGvdmBbvxKh7M6hu0VGUJJqwBIsw==" target="_blank">COVID&nbsp;TESTING</a>

Following is the Saline County Health Department COVID-19 update for Friday.It's not just COVID. It's everythingThe first known case of COVID-19 in Saline County was reported on March 28, 2020, marking the beginning of the pandemic in Saline County. With the second anniversary quickly approaching, the local healthcare community is strained more than ever before.&nbsp; As it stands today, at least 194 members of our community have lost their lives to COVID-19, accounting for more than two people per week since the pandemic began.&nbsp; Salina Regional Health Center Over Capacity The surge of COVID-19 cases that started in mid-December has often put Salina Regional Health Center and many others across the state past maximum capacity. The patient load alone is enough to strain the resources of any hospital but is compounded by staffing shortages from illness and burnout. "We've had between 25 and 30 COVID patients each day; with 6 to 12 of those in the ICU; 3 to 6 on ventilators; and usually 5 to 10 in the ER waiting for beds," explained Dr. Freelove, SRHC Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President. "Unfortunately, those aren't the only patients waiting for a bed. The hospital has been holding 8 to 15 non-COVID patients in the ER each day. All of our inpatient numbers would be higher if we had the staff and space to care for them." At times, these COVID and non-COVID patients take up every single bed in Salina's emergency room, sometimes leaving no place for patients to be seen. Car accidents and other tragedies don't stop when ER beds run out. In order to continue seeing emergency patients, the ER has overflowed to other areas of the hospital.As a result, the hospital has had to cancel surgeries important to quality of life and even life itself. Salina Regional has been unable to accept transfers from neighboring counties, forcing these smaller hospitals to function well beyond their capacity, which puts all patients at risk.&nbsp;&nbsp;What can I do? Know the difference in&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ivdskdoNjOwdHFoSOlHY8DKMOecniZ9SS8oKv8ZeGkcgwJvYLivWyyUepCnowuLv5AMO-QeToF3YdZit6YMy6YzWUWkXbAF9smX7w9O_UXJz2ULfzXHGgH7AGboQ5DSfXmd7QMprgSZJtCvc_TMQlhGsVi1YeS7NSBFqDtuVHHtdbrYMgY9heHoDHEP1z2P4NAYWaTN6Dlr5rdx2XbMHUX_KX7Dklm6_H1a9Ucx93FkdcO5HjRrA9Ddb-AwAusoQq7oyt93jOiBrtehzmfnsNQ==&amp;c=J7MMrus2qNCnu3PkIaEUNoY4h1eUIzqycAIZvzhV19Z9-g7_sJijAw==&amp;ch=Vp0vVItCa3MQvbl4x6_o2RoPl9TGvdmBbvxKh7M6hu0VGUJJqwBIsw==" target="_blank">Emergency vs. Urgent Care</a>&nbsp;and save the emergency room for emergencies.&nbsp;&nbsp;The local supply of&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ivdskdoNjOwdHFoSOlHY8DKMOecniZ9SS8oKv8ZeGkcgwJvYLivWyyUepCnowuLvZOZ88P1zxaYi0ehChGCmn0hNGs9zlwx1Lc3G-lNseHe_aPiLFfBb9gIdC7xqpMlkJeYWqmqdv3O8M6h541b3Ip-8Pu3yN9NWi8cSF04rAHXYko0SQZqFp4NPJpOdZNUx-2h4jlydbb8yiSZDhYihJoQGJROXnImY&amp;c=J7MMrus2qNCnu3PkIaEUNoY4h1eUIzqycAIZvzhV19Z9-g7_sJijAw==&amp;ch=Vp0vVItCa3MQvbl4x6_o2RoPl9TGvdmBbvxKh7M6hu0VGUJJqwBIsw==" target="_blank">monoclonal antibodies</a>&nbsp;has run out, leaving fewer options to treat the mildly ill at high risk of severe disease.&nbsp; Testing SupplyOn the testing front, local health agencies struggle daily with testing capacity and constantly battle test kit supply shortages. Test kit shortages lead to test rationing and extended turn-around times to get results for outpatient testing. Testing supply is being further depleted by employers requiring lab-confirmed test results for employees to be excused from work. The health department has made&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ivdskdoNjOwdHFoSOlHY8DKMOecniZ9SS8oKv8ZeGkcgwJvYLivWyyUepCnowuLvsjsxyOzgQUKlqHa_qhzZNbX9od-eRppHoiZ5d-jtCkIJPwzzssTyHD87nBwkAdDo7MALX3ItjhsgEBwaMNPchHZjVQEhvrhpRsap-B5_4eLW35SffYn6RQ==&amp;c=J7MMrus2qNCnu3PkIaEUNoY4h1eUIzqycAIZvzhV19Z9-g7_sJijAw==&amp;ch=Vp0vVItCa3MQvbl4x6_o2RoPl9TGvdmBbvxKh7M6hu0VGUJJqwBIsw==" target="_blank">repeated pleas</a>&nbsp;with employers to re-think their policies.&nbsp;&nbsp;What can I do?&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ivdskdoNjOwdHFoSOlHY8DKMOecniZ9SS8oKv8ZeGkcgwJvYLivWyyUepCnowuLv_xMgidGIq1TSgrFRD4QK-CUVFzL4m5AtrtlC6odFmd-x3MRsObiJXPplJ8f2zq2TazJLSx9hujknoSV8DMo72lnNJgEf1S94zk9MzVh6ihOwghbuC13BvlNRDozeJyuSZgNMiBLS_1eBGsIq9M6WTBGsUdzbbuEID1knhlDEFwkk9Au95wFTbLnXGjbby-UrhHxMPO3yUrQ=&amp;c=J7MMrus2qNCnu3PkIaEUNoY4h1eUIzqycAIZvzhV19Z9-g7_sJijAw==&amp;ch=Vp0vVItCa3MQvbl4x6_o2RoPl9TGvdmBbvxKh7M6hu0VGUJJqwBIsw==" target="_blank">Employers are an integral partner in public health.</a>&nbsp;Employers can adapt policies to allow at-home testing to be used in place of lab-confirmed testing if possible and to allow employees to stay home when they are sick without unnecessary financial burden.&nbsp;&nbsp;Many countries have re-opened their borders but now require a negative test for entry. Testing requirements vary from country to country with many requiring the same vital testing supplies already being rationed in emergency rooms across the country. Artists across the country are also placing testing requirements on their concerts and public appearances.What can I do? Don't&nbsp; travel unless absolutely necessary and avoid crowds.&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ivdskdoNjOwdHFoSOlHY8DKMOecniZ9SS8oKv8ZeGkcgwJvYLivWyyUepCnowuLvi0ssiDmoqWH43Zvqvke3LfiPTSbUEX-P7vWeHGe8KJwMb5xLf0LCK9wmlzIYFWE-uNAGcVoG5pbga935qgn8bgIuNu58XMebfuvGFLKR6zU-B2jmnZyIdi69mxDxJ7PEbQv4nTevUCrXtE92Aq7Z08hxx6AnCi-UUDUtzgbATUMTyXQlt6eTNiA1hgzzoM9JXfKKUj4dp4U=&amp;c=J7MMrus2qNCnu3PkIaEUNoY4h1eUIzqycAIZvzhV19Z9-g7_sJijAw==&amp;ch=Vp0vVItCa3MQvbl4x6_o2RoPl9TGvdmBbvxKh7M6hu0VGUJJqwBIsw==" target="_blank">Wear a mask</a>&nbsp;when you are in public, at work, or at school.&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ivdskdoNjOwdHFoSOlHY8DKMOecniZ9SS8oKv8ZeGkcgwJvYLivWy_03lu8NsLG8OZDfb-Wm_tsn7pkMcBojuA5Qct2ICXKk6_z6_zWlN8y4sKhCUAKLP0GO-4HJ_6bLFUxSrV6Ut7Q=&amp;c=J7MMrus2qNCnu3PkIaEUNoY4h1eUIzqycAIZvzhV19Z9-g7_sJijAw==&amp;ch=Vp0vVItCa3MQvbl4x6_o2RoPl9TGvdmBbvxKh7M6hu0VGUJJqwBIsw==" target="_blank">Get vaccinated and boosted</a>.&nbsp; &nbsp;While the county struggles with lab-confirmed testing supplies, the demand for at-home test kits has been high.&nbsp;Salina Family Healthcare Center&nbsp;recently held a test kit giveaway and saw the entire supply of test kits depleted in a matter of minutes. Strides have been made to make at-home testing more equitable for everyone. Insurance providers are now&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ivdskdoNjOwdHFoSOlHY8DKMOecniZ9SS8oKv8ZeGkcgwJvYLivWyyUepCnowuLvPNg4vfYLe41XESgZBCs7ytQnHhwGxp5O42CI0OmGmexVMxsYksOKtRfkGV8d1MlupeGWcZhJhMN3FKyNPicHLMbYXLMDCoXc0nGg_7W3xDUKg_bcfz2FmzZa5IYNFz35c-sBhDbTmcEYKJjiTxXtachCIhSTSIcFjodWvLu2x-bR0yndgS6XuF1tfprHOIaZtmhEhGfHdH6q1fos0wt_yyH1YG80FYum93-p8aPPbyxjrDcOBRL5W3_zrXheQPp5HTBR9PCq8gFKVw9nlW0rljMdC_rUyvnTMwSI77Km4l1BD4NoXgsxig==&amp;c=J7MMrus2qNCnu3PkIaEUNoY4h1eUIzqycAIZvzhV19Z9-g7_sJijAw==&amp;ch=Vp0vVItCa3MQvbl4x6_o2RoPl9TGvdmBbvxKh7M6hu0VGUJJqwBIsw==" target="_blank">required to cover the cost of up to eight at-home COVID tests</a>&nbsp;per person per month. Every home in the U.S. is eligible to&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ivdskdoNjOwdHFoSOlHY8DKMOecniZ9SS8oKv8ZeGkcgwJvYLivWyyUepCnowuLvz1FGhSpSn119OpxRdFWe8kATP3ucRbW_MEk89CSPmTjsf9z3Lc1ajxO0nn6GIECOsrZPifQY_IV-bWnIlz5PDw==&amp;c=J7MMrus2qNCnu3PkIaEUNoY4h1eUIzqycAIZvzhV19Z9-g7_sJijAw==&amp;ch=Vp0vVItCa3MQvbl4x6_o2RoPl9TGvdmBbvxKh7M6hu0VGUJJqwBIsw==" target="_blank">order four free at-home COVID-19 tests</a>. Workplace policies The number one thing people can do to combat COVID-19 is to stay home if they feel sick. "It doesn't matter if it's COVID or a cold - the healthcare community needs you to stay home," said Saline County Health Officer Jason Tiller. "Unfortunately, we've heard from a lot of our COVID-19 cases that their employer is requiring them to come to work or face negative repercussions." Sick leave policies written prior to 2020 are outdated and should be re-examined or replaced to reflect the current health situation.&nbsp; &nbsp;What can I do? If your company has a sick leave policy that is working for employees, we want to know! Reach out to the health department and&nbsp;<a href="mailto:melissa.mccoy@saline.org" target="_blank">let us know</a>&nbsp;what you are doing. Share your policies with similar businesses.&nbsp;&nbsp;Employers hoping to use lab-confirmed tests to validate employees' claims of illness will face both test kit shortages and delayed results creating more problems than they might solve.&nbsp;Currently, there is up to a week-long wait to be tested outside the hospital setting and another week to receive the results.&nbsp;&nbsp; "We need employers to use at-home testing for verification when possible," explained Tiller, a retired Army medic. "And to work with their employees to find solutions that don't risk viral spread." See also:&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ivdskdoNjOwdHFoSOlHY8DKMOecniZ9SS8oKv8ZeGkcgwJvYLivWyyUepCnowuLvW7E9rSOVA7any6j50ecxLGm3cfef4jyuTZ-OAKbMJ2D498KIriRKp6Ubx0iA9rDwSnaBR4WLUE8WHleHS-aPESeDkP_1vpkZNEWI2tHjKNYMhVv_h7HmwhnxWs17MLTkceRrjlS2wkbIvAXo5mLjMhB5z040zuJwvp67Z1gdZBDb2Pu4UFSLtVYweVJLj6WU1NUPUmbtnwWiLTApSldeoQ==&amp;c=J7MMrus2qNCnu3PkIaEUNoY4h1eUIzqycAIZvzhV19Z9-g7_sJijAw==&amp;ch=Vp0vVItCa3MQvbl4x6_o2RoPl9TGvdmBbvxKh7M6hu0VGUJJqwBIsw==" target="_blank">The Real Reason Americans Aren't Isolating</a>&nbsp;What can I do?Hopefully, you have noticed the "What can I do?" call-out sections listed periodically throughout this article.&nbsp; Your local healthcare community takes no joy in asking you to delay travel, miss work, stay home, and re-write long-standing policies. For years you have trusted us with the births of your children; you've come to us to mend your broken bones, heal your wounds, and repair your seen and unseen damage. We ask for your trust and support now and take action - real action.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642806385627.png" alt="" />
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 </figure>Since our last update on Wednesday, four members of our community have lost their lives to COVID-19. The Salina Regional Health Center reports that 23 are hospitalized battling COVID-19. Another 328 positive COVID-19 test results have been reported to the Saline County Health Department since Wednesday. It is important to note, that this does not include home test kits or those who are presumed positive and do not test. There are a recorded 2,772 active cases of COVID-19. Due to this overwhelmingly high number of cases, the Saline County Health Department will only be contacting those under 18 years old or who have requested an isolation letter for their employers. If you test positive and require a letter for work, please contact the Health Department at 785.826.6600.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ivdskdoNjOwdHFoSOlHY8DKMOecniZ9SS8oKv8ZeGkcgwJvYLivWy5lflyJHOgdf1JQrYceP2eEasGG3zSEvoxzjR8wxPC4aUJIu2jmALzO3P4NEmOlf43siqVo084sUrJG_dFMhqYVbzEi9HEkHEuj4cSt2mR_TobgxcR5haGgLKQWNBRptdC5-Pz5mhu6s8NuH5718xTtUIZBNdJmVGg==&amp;c=J7MMrus2qNCnu3PkIaEUNoY4h1eUIzqycAIZvzhV19Z9-g7_sJijAw==&amp;ch=Vp0vVItCa3MQvbl4x6_o2RoPl9TGvdmBbvxKh7M6hu0VGUJJqwBIsw==" target="_blank">Saline County COVID-19 Dashboard</a>Check out what our trusted hometown medical professionals have to say about the COVID-19 vaccine.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/M7h32kFtOGs" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>IMPORTANT LINKS AND INFORMATION<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ivdskdoNjOwdHFoSOlHY8DKMOecniZ9SS8oKv8ZeGkcgwJvYLivWyywtb_XP19BIxG242owYSUyBDXMw2LIE8Tt8GApoXT82fuSyjN8EofI1KT5-_hxix24BPpcQSaGf_CWQBxg3Cd0FSRyRIeAXGg==&amp;c=J7MMrus2qNCnu3PkIaEUNoY4h1eUIzqycAIZvzhV19Z9-g7_sJijAw==&amp;ch=Vp0vVItCa3MQvbl4x6_o2RoPl9TGvdmBbvxKh7M6hu0VGUJJqwBIsw==" target="_blank">SRHC COVID UPDATE</a><a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ivdskdoNjOwdHFoSOlHY8DKMOecniZ9SS8oKv8ZeGkcgwJvYLivWy66jHHf9BvMorA1pHwy3lFRUR-1HLylF251NoJGzkJi_l4t4Z8bvwum23kPIKLWHuwbzBaMlwPQjuqVANdh73dgobHnpFnCI8SrMaX8b4Vbr&amp;c=J7MMrus2qNCnu3PkIaEUNoY4h1eUIzqycAIZvzhV19Z9-g7_sJijAw==&amp;ch=Vp0vVItCa3MQvbl4x6_o2RoPl9TGvdmBbvxKh7M6hu0VGUJJqwBIsw==" target="_blank">KDHE&nbsp;Coronavirus Website</a><a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ivdskdoNjOwdHFoSOlHY8DKMOecniZ9SS8oKv8ZeGkcgwJvYLivWy66jHHf9BvMoXYc_ZXTq8KGIdbaIoHpfJvv1YAX3662afqy-W-eiIoCm-vjtJGx1CB4fzH3OYw_AlqBT_Nv0JxTk7aZSPsm-ViOSZ4X6Nhci&amp;c=J7MMrus2qNCnu3PkIaEUNoY4h1eUIzqycAIZvzhV19Z9-g7_sJijAw==&amp;ch=Vp0vVItCa3MQvbl4x6_o2RoPl9TGvdmBbvxKh7M6hu0VGUJJqwBIsw==" target="_blank">Saline County COVID Info</a><a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ivdskdoNjOwdHFoSOlHY8DKMOecniZ9SS8oKv8ZeGkcgwJvYLivWyxVz51SJnOSByFEX3r9WWTEbrKYLfg9XMz5uSoV2sVFzqcCKSdqJ61SAYm8khTDUjpAtxSWVOvi7xW7nBcV0_Abv3l5xojAoOw==&amp;c=J7MMrus2qNCnu3PkIaEUNoY4h1eUIzqycAIZvzhV19Z9-g7_sJijAw==&amp;ch=Vp0vVItCa3MQvbl4x6_o2RoPl9TGvdmBbvxKh7M6hu0VGUJJqwBIsw==" target="_blank">Saline County News</a><a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ivdskdoNjOwdHFoSOlHY8DKMOecniZ9SS8oKv8ZeGkcgwJvYLivWy84zvp23IPNAGt6n4tPQmGW44T_n8XfLmQ_22R0yfqB3AlLQZQ0ybvWfQlczGYg2f6zfsVvLs9dxcinbL7ds9AXw4V-xClHo_8OT6cUVhAvJw5SLf6wQUDE=&amp;c=J7MMrus2qNCnu3PkIaEUNoY4h1eUIzqycAIZvzhV19Z9-g7_sJijAw==&amp;ch=Vp0vVItCa3MQvbl4x6_o2RoPl9TGvdmBbvxKh7M6hu0VGUJJqwBIsw==" target="_blank">CDC COVID Tracker</a><a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001ivdskdoNjOwdHFoSOlHY8DKMOecniZ9SS8oKv8ZeGkcgwJvYLivWy3TbTLsF6NZ1SAKRKyoyGECFc8by746fKqnu2RLH5V9fh4eWDw7TNPR2QMekj6tZ32hXalMM4ZHBW9AsTToGFr19gmg8GgiyOuWaw-d4I1aAsL5HUeYx4dsp2E9Thxe_KQ==&amp;c=J7MMrus2qNCnu3PkIaEUNoY4h1eUIzqycAIZvzhV19Z9-g7_sJijAw==&amp;ch=Vp0vVItCa3MQvbl4x6_o2RoPl9TGvdmBbvxKh7M6hu0VGUJJqwBIsw==" target="_blank">COVID&nbsp;TESTING</a>

🎥Saline County COVID-19 update for Friday

Following is a COVID-19 update from the McPherson County Health Department.

McPherson County continues to experience extremely high infection rates. McPherson County Health Department (MCHD) strongly urges all county residents 2 years of age and above to mask up. We also strongly urge all county residents 5 years of age and above to get vaccinated. If you completed a COVID-19 vaccine series prior to July 2021, you are likely due for a booster dose. Vaccination remains to be our best tool to prevent severe illness, hospitalization and death. Our local hospitals, and surrounding hospitals we may normally transfer patients to, are at maximum capacity and response. Please help our healthcare workers and our community by masking up, getting vaccinated and staying home if you’re ill.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) have changed the isolation and quarantine guidelines, which may be referred to as “the 5/5 rule.” People who test positive continue to have a 10 day isolation period, however, if the case is 24 hours fever free without fever-reducing medication and feels significantly better on day 5, they may leave home isolation on day 6 but only if they mask when around others through their 10 day period. If they cannot mask, they cannot leave home isolation. People who are named a close contact will continue to have a 10 day quarantine period, however, if the close contact is asymptomatic and/or tests negative on day 5, they may leave home quarantine on day 6 but only if they mask when around&nbsp; others through their 10 day period. If they cannot mask, they cannot leave home quarantine. An infographic explaining this further can be found at <a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1086/Isolation-Quarantine-Release-Graphic-KS-PDF---11922">https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1086/Isolation-Quarantine-Release-Graphic-KS-PDF---11922</a>.

The KDHE and MCHD will no longer contact trace effective February 1, 2022. This does not mean close contacts no longer need to quarantine. This means that close contacts will not be called by the state agency or local health department. This is in response to the overwhelming case counts and will allow the state agency and the local health department to prioritize case investigations. Positive cases will be instructed to contact their close contacts to notify them of the exposure.

The KDHE has also adopted a temporary 30 day suspension of K-12 school contact tracing, effective January 18, 2022, in response to the current surge of cases and pressure that is being placed on the school system. MCHD staff has met with county public schools to discuss the impact of this decision. MCHD has encouraged McPherson County schools to continue to notify families of school-related exposures and implement mask policies. MCHD encourages families that have students in school to regularly monitor your children for symptoms of illness, keep them home if ill and seek medical care and testing. Please continue to notify your children’s school if your child is ill. Two school districts in McPherson County participate in the KDHE Test-to-Stay program and MCHD encourages those programs to continue to function as they have been.

In December 2021, McPherson County reported 596 cases of COVID-19. As of January 2022, we have reported 1,124 cases of COVID-19. This is an all-time high that will likely continue to get worse before it gets better. With over 700 active cases of COVID-19 in our community at the time of this release, MCHD begs you to take appropriate precautions. Our schools, businesses and healthcare system depend on each person to do their part.

As of this release, there are 82 confirmed variant cases out of 96 tested specimens. More information regarding COVID19 variants can be found at <a href="https://www.who.int/.../tracking-SARS-CoV-2-variants">https://www.who.int/.../tracking-SARS-CoV-2-variants</a>/.

The travel and exposure related quarantine list can be found at <a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/175/Travel-ExposureRelated-Isolation-Quaran">https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/175/Travel-ExposureRelated-Isolation-Quaran</a>.

COVID-19 data in McPherson County can be found on the home page of mcphersoncountyks.us, under “McPherson County COVID-19 Dashboard.” This data will continue to be updated Tuesdays and Thursdays of each week.

Following is a COVID-19 update from the McPherson County Health Department.McPherson County continues to experience extremely high infection rates. McPherson County Health Department (MCHD) strongly urges all county residents 2 years of age and above to mask up. We also strongly urge all county residents 5 years of age and above to get vaccinated. If you completed a COVID-19 vaccine series prior to July 2021, you are likely due for a booster dose. Vaccination remains to be our best tool to prevent severe illness, hospitalization and death. Our local hospitals, and surrounding hospitals we may normally transfer patients to, are at maximum capacity and response. Please help our healthcare workers and our community by masking up, getting vaccinated and staying home if you’re ill.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) have changed the isolation and quarantine guidelines, which may be referred to as “the 5/5 rule.” People who test positive continue to have a 10 day isolation period, however, if the case is 24 hours fever free without fever-reducing medication and feels significantly better on day 5, they may leave home isolation on day 6 but only if they mask when around others through their 10 day period. If they cannot mask, they cannot leave home isolation. People who are named a close contact will continue to have a 10 day quarantine period, however, if the close contact is asymptomatic and/or tests negative on day 5, they may leave home quarantine on day 6 but only if they mask when around&nbsp; others through their 10 day period. If they cannot mask, they cannot leave home quarantine. An infographic explaining this further can be found at <a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1086/Isolation-Quarantine-Release-Graphic-KS-PDF---11922">https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1086/Isolation-Quarantine-Release-Graphic-KS-PDF---11922</a>.The KDHE and MCHD will no longer contact trace effective February 1, 2022. This does not mean close contacts no longer need to quarantine. This means that close contacts will not be called by the state agency or local health department. This is in response to the overwhelming case counts and will allow the state agency and the local health department to prioritize case investigations. Positive cases will be instructed to contact their close contacts to notify them of the exposure.The KDHE has also adopted a temporary 30 day suspension of K-12 school contact tracing, effective January 18, 2022, in response to the current surge of cases and pressure that is being placed on the school system. MCHD staff has met with county public schools to discuss the impact of this decision. MCHD has encouraged McPherson County schools to continue to notify families of school-related exposures and implement mask policies. MCHD encourages families that have students in school to regularly monitor your children for symptoms of illness, keep them home if ill and seek medical care and testing. Please continue to notify your children’s school if your child is ill. Two school districts in McPherson County participate in the KDHE Test-to-Stay program and MCHD encourages those programs to continue to function as they have been.In December 2021, McPherson County reported 596 cases of COVID-19. As of January 2022, we have reported 1,124 cases of COVID-19. This is an all-time high that will likely continue to get worse before it gets better. With over 700 active cases of COVID-19 in our community at the time of this release, MCHD begs you to take appropriate precautions. Our schools, businesses and healthcare system depend on each person to do their part.As of this release, there are 82 confirmed variant cases out of 96 tested specimens. More information regarding COVID19 variants can be found at <a href="https://www.who.int/.../tracking-SARS-CoV-2-variants">https://www.who.int/.../tracking-SARS-CoV-2-variants</a>/.• Variant B.1.1.7 (Alpha): 6• Variant B.1.617.2 (Delta): 28• Variant AY.2 (Delta): 17• Variant AY.3 (Delta): 16• Variant AY.4 (Delta): 10• Variant AY.7 (Delta): 1• Variant BA.1 (Omicron): 4The travel and exposure related quarantine list can be found at <a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/175/Travel-ExposureRelated-Isolation-Quaran">https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/175/Travel-ExposureRelated-Isolation-Quaran</a>.COVID-19 data in McPherson County can be found on the home page of mcphersoncountyks.us, under “McPherson County COVID-19 Dashboard.” This data will continue to be updated Tuesdays and Thursdays of each week.

McPherson Co. Health Dept. begs residents to take COVID precautions

Since our last update on Friday, a staggering 734 people have had COVID-19 positive test results reported to the Saline County Health Department. Over 2,000 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Saline County, just 19 days in 2022. This is the highest number of new cases to hit our county since we began keeping records.

The Salina Regional Health Center reports that 28 people are hospitalized due to COVID-19.

There are a recorded 2,448 active cases of COVID-19. Due to this overwhelmingly high number of cases, the Saline County Health Department will only be contacting those under 18 years old or who have requested an isolation letter for their employers.

If you test positive and require a letter for work, please contact the Health Department at 785-826-6600.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001DVcArR0ELWwZzVPpdy-9CC_MwDMfuR-3MJ5gukqv8UzI9aED5c_T2Qw9EfWwB1qp9_qGL0eYCNzvI_V6oZ43IgvLJ8GJeQTkAiBDuG0iYkmQII_PuLeRnrZTYpN-No38mG-Oqd9N-oHW431YUO7VXnVVkUvRXJJU&amp;c=GMZabvnTC7n6OX3wWtW99HE-Sv1qHBeipWTyU9BY3py9VQ1OgDwfaA==&amp;ch=wyFFtlHougY2h3W_Ul7VhdVZEdEyyFunVVHrMle4CyhLo7VBewaY4g==" target="_blank">Saline County&nbsp;COVID Information</a>

<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001DVcArR0ELWwZzVPpdy-9CC_MwDMfuR-3MJ5gukqv8UzI9aED5c_T2cK4OCur6iab1tx1vn9ZG9t1MKjpWJgv_JwDmSzaEiaj7c0YFNtskaLUeLQC5w_gkVeTosVue2FIPkHpQ6jurPYN9uBL9bRyrjJ3dgdg2AF1ouEmmvp9nISEpOrIY8oPB3oV1O8iNoN3&amp;c=GMZabvnTC7n6OX3wWtW99HE-Sv1qHBeipWTyU9BY3py9VQ1OgDwfaA==&amp;ch=wyFFtlHougY2h3W_Ul7VhdVZEdEyyFunVVHrMle4CyhLo7VBewaY4g==" target="_blank">Kansas&nbsp;COVID Overview</a>

<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001DVcArR0ELWwZzVPpdy-9CC_MwDMfuR-3MJ5gukqv8UzI9aED5c_T2Z8NMLIv90WjgyJviOOS4oSklHdUyetmeTwX5ajNCEpxKaEsGuD0FPZarUq26F8qncAFe1uq2fY7oGFx1YF7fluC8KJcG8eK_42kcqd89V-JB3_CScVsz0_ildK0qNNp50mTVB7g878j&amp;c=GMZabvnTC7n6OX3wWtW99HE-Sv1qHBeipWTyU9BY3py9VQ1OgDwfaA==&amp;ch=wyFFtlHougY2h3W_Ul7VhdVZEdEyyFunVVHrMle4CyhLo7VBewaY4g==" target="_blank">US COVID Data Tracker</a>

●An additional 234 people were vaccinated against COVID-19 this week, an increase of .5 percent.

●A total of 29,529 residents of Saline County have been vaccinated, accounting for 54.5 percent of the total population.

<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001DVcArR0ELWwZzVPpdy-9CC_MwDMfuR-3MJ5gukqv8UzI9aED5c_T2fWRzOQPJW65UZmkAUNF5aguzf2KW2jeQh0kvC6kZnc0vJZGPpva-y422aux_3M4Y3FTiI_2xQBiBOZ7wmA0grY6L9t3pUuQBw==&amp;c=GMZabvnTC7n6OX3wWtW99HE-Sv1qHBeipWTyU9BY3py9VQ1OgDwfaA==&amp;ch=wyFFtlHougY2h3W_Ul7VhdVZEdEyyFunVVHrMle4CyhLo7VBewaY4g==" target="_blank">Vaccine Finder</a>

<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001DVcArR0ELWwZzVPpdy-9CC_MwDMfuR-3MJ5gukqv8UzI9aED5c_T2RYmgWlQbf2DrK5-Z5WxqPxXAf7iuzSH-bSHPmr6cYhLkxXfPEc1KfsCJvm4dng7oPRMVXwMDWFPtZh4kddwvjQKdqazJ6zhwL_R_wJEuhDMYV6nsH8OaDA=&amp;c=GMZabvnTC7n6OX3wWtW99HE-Sv1qHBeipWTyU9BY3py9VQ1OgDwfaA==&amp;ch=wyFFtlHougY2h3W_Ul7VhdVZEdEyyFunVVHrMle4CyhLo7VBewaY4g==" target="_blank">Vaccinate Saline County</a>

●Get tested&nbsp;if you feel unwell, even if you don’t believe it is COVID. You can find testing centers at&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001DVcArR0ELWwZzVPpdy-9CC_MwDMfuR-3MJ5gukqv8UzI9aED5c_T2cOvYR8NNa4Cv_E17G0h-ZzxL1TaO2sltuAwhHOSRUFDiAhPJuWEYQHIcDJh5vOTbGQm2vXptmStN-KvQqL96cw4hYJBIjIllfRfsJVG_EYUUtJlYEwrT7g=&amp;c=GMZabvnTC7n6OX3wWtW99HE-Sv1qHBeipWTyU9BY3py9VQ1OgDwfaA==&amp;ch=wyFFtlHougY2h3W_Ul7VhdVZEdEyyFunVVHrMle4CyhLo7VBewaY4g==" target="_blank">VaccinateSalineCountyKS.com/testing</a>&nbsp;or contact your local medical provider.

●Get vaccinated. You can find a vaccine at&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001DVcArR0ELWwZzVPpdy-9CC_MwDMfuR-3MJ5gukqv8UzI9aED5c_T2fWRzOQPJW65UZmkAUNF5aguzf2KW2jeQh0kvC6kZnc0vJZGPpva-y422aux_3M4Y3FTiI_2xQBiBOZ7wmA0grY6L9t3pUuQBw==&amp;c=GMZabvnTC7n6OX3wWtW99HE-Sv1qHBeipWTyU9BY3py9VQ1OgDwfaA==&amp;ch=wyFFtlHougY2h3W_Ul7VhdVZEdEyyFunVVHrMle4CyhLo7VBewaY4g==" target="_blank">vaccines.gov</a>&nbsp;or contact your local medical provider.

●Maintain at least6 feet of distance between yourself and those with whom you do not live.

●Do not travel to&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001DVcArR0ELWwZzVPpdy-9CC_MwDMfuR-3MJ5gukqv8UzI9aED5c_T2fWRzOQPJW65OqJpE3HVV4eQPs7wJishgOqLbzUfQ8FXHWlV0NDjjUWRqiOAF6HYqI-mo0PPeBkiJ7962kfu3XNwIYKIAQpBFII8DzQtZMk_eO71MYbC1jDzfTpmKgoKQ2G79Uaoc6WRzDW5_wEgt7T5nIslPIi-5p2hrVDvf-O9&amp;c=GMZabvnTC7n6OX3wWtW99HE-Sv1qHBeipWTyU9BY3py9VQ1OgDwfaA==&amp;ch=wyFFtlHougY2h3W_Ul7VhdVZEdEyyFunVVHrMle4CyhLo7VBewaY4g==" target="_blank">“hot spots."</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642633565998.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Following is the Saline County Health Department COVID-19 update for Wednesday.Since our last update on Friday, a staggering 734 people have had COVID-19 positive test results reported to the Saline County Health Department. Over 2,000 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Saline County, just 19 days in 2022. This is the highest number of new cases to hit our county since we began keeping records. The Salina Regional Health Center reports that 28 people are hospitalized due to COVID-19. There are a recorded 2,448 active cases of COVID-19. Due to this overwhelmingly high number of cases, the Saline County Health Department will only be contacting those under 18 years old or who have requested an isolation letter for their employers. If you test positive and require a letter for work, please contact the Health Department at 785-826-6600.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001DVcArR0ELWwZzVPpdy-9CC_MwDMfuR-3MJ5gukqv8UzI9aED5c_T2Qw9EfWwB1qp9_qGL0eYCNzvI_V6oZ43IgvLJ8GJeQTkAiBDuG0iYkmQII_PuLeRnrZTYpN-No38mG-Oqd9N-oHW431YUO7VXnVVkUvRXJJU&amp;c=GMZabvnTC7n6OX3wWtW99HE-Sv1qHBeipWTyU9BY3py9VQ1OgDwfaA==&amp;ch=wyFFtlHougY2h3W_Ul7VhdVZEdEyyFunVVHrMle4CyhLo7VBewaY4g==" target="_blank">Saline County&nbsp;COVID Information</a><a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001DVcArR0ELWwZzVPpdy-9CC_MwDMfuR-3MJ5gukqv8UzI9aED5c_T2cK4OCur6iab1tx1vn9ZG9t1MKjpWJgv_JwDmSzaEiaj7c0YFNtskaLUeLQC5w_gkVeTosVue2FIPkHpQ6jurPYN9uBL9bRyrjJ3dgdg2AF1ouEmmvp9nISEpOrIY8oPB3oV1O8iNoN3&amp;c=GMZabvnTC7n6OX3wWtW99HE-Sv1qHBeipWTyU9BY3py9VQ1OgDwfaA==&amp;ch=wyFFtlHougY2h3W_Ul7VhdVZEdEyyFunVVHrMle4CyhLo7VBewaY4g==" target="_blank">Kansas&nbsp;COVID Overview</a><a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001DVcArR0ELWwZzVPpdy-9CC_MwDMfuR-3MJ5gukqv8UzI9aED5c_T2Z8NMLIv90WjgyJviOOS4oSklHdUyetmeTwX5ajNCEpxKaEsGuD0FPZarUq26F8qncAFe1uq2fY7oGFx1YF7fluC8KJcG8eK_42kcqd89V-JB3_CScVsz0_ildK0qNNp50mTVB7g878j&amp;c=GMZabvnTC7n6OX3wWtW99HE-Sv1qHBeipWTyU9BY3py9VQ1OgDwfaA==&amp;ch=wyFFtlHougY2h3W_Ul7VhdVZEdEyyFunVVHrMle4CyhLo7VBewaY4g==" target="_blank">US COVID Data Tracker</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642633053957.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>COVID Vaccination Update for Saline County ●An additional 234 people were vaccinated against COVID-19 this week, an increase of .5 percent.●A total of 29,529 residents of Saline County have been vaccinated, accounting for 54.5 percent of the total population.<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001DVcArR0ELWwZzVPpdy-9CC_MwDMfuR-3MJ5gukqv8UzI9aED5c_T2fWRzOQPJW65UZmkAUNF5aguzf2KW2jeQh0kvC6kZnc0vJZGPpva-y422aux_3M4Y3FTiI_2xQBiBOZ7wmA0grY6L9t3pUuQBw==&amp;c=GMZabvnTC7n6OX3wWtW99HE-Sv1qHBeipWTyU9BY3py9VQ1OgDwfaA==&amp;ch=wyFFtlHougY2h3W_Ul7VhdVZEdEyyFunVVHrMle4CyhLo7VBewaY4g==" target="_blank">Vaccine Finder</a><a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001DVcArR0ELWwZzVPpdy-9CC_MwDMfuR-3MJ5gukqv8UzI9aED5c_T2RYmgWlQbf2DrK5-Z5WxqPxXAf7iuzSH-bSHPmr6cYhLkxXfPEc1KfsCJvm4dng7oPRMVXwMDWFPtZh4kddwvjQKdqazJ6zhwL_R_wJEuhDMYV6nsH8OaDA=&amp;c=GMZabvnTC7n6OX3wWtW99HE-Sv1qHBeipWTyU9BY3py9VQ1OgDwfaA==&amp;ch=wyFFtlHougY2h3W_Ul7VhdVZEdEyyFunVVHrMle4CyhLo7VBewaY4g==" target="_blank">Vaccinate Saline County</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642633243892.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The best way to stop the spread of COVID-19 and thus prevent mutation of the virus is:●Stay home&nbsp;if you are sick.●Get tested&nbsp;if you feel unwell, even if you don’t believe it is COVID. You can find testing centers at&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001DVcArR0ELWwZzVPpdy-9CC_MwDMfuR-3MJ5gukqv8UzI9aED5c_T2cOvYR8NNa4Cv_E17G0h-ZzxL1TaO2sltuAwhHOSRUFDiAhPJuWEYQHIcDJh5vOTbGQm2vXptmStN-KvQqL96cw4hYJBIjIllfRfsJVG_EYUUtJlYEwrT7g=&amp;c=GMZabvnTC7n6OX3wWtW99HE-Sv1qHBeipWTyU9BY3py9VQ1OgDwfaA==&amp;ch=wyFFtlHougY2h3W_Ul7VhdVZEdEyyFunVVHrMle4CyhLo7VBewaY4g==" target="_blank">VaccinateSalineCountyKS.com/testing</a>&nbsp;or contact your local medical provider.●Get vaccinated. You can find a vaccine at&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001DVcArR0ELWwZzVPpdy-9CC_MwDMfuR-3MJ5gukqv8UzI9aED5c_T2fWRzOQPJW65UZmkAUNF5aguzf2KW2jeQh0kvC6kZnc0vJZGPpva-y422aux_3M4Y3FTiI_2xQBiBOZ7wmA0grY6L9t3pUuQBw==&amp;c=GMZabvnTC7n6OX3wWtW99HE-Sv1qHBeipWTyU9BY3py9VQ1OgDwfaA==&amp;ch=wyFFtlHougY2h3W_Ul7VhdVZEdEyyFunVVHrMle4CyhLo7VBewaY4g==" target="_blank">vaccines.gov</a>&nbsp;or contact your local medical provider.●Wear a mask, especially if you are not fully vaccinated. If you are fully vaccinated, wear a mask when indoors in crowded spaces.●Maintain at least6 feet of distance between yourself and those with whom you do not live.●Do not travel to&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001DVcArR0ELWwZzVPpdy-9CC_MwDMfuR-3MJ5gukqv8UzI9aED5c_T2fWRzOQPJW65OqJpE3HVV4eQPs7wJishgOqLbzUfQ8FXHWlV0NDjjUWRqiOAF6HYqI-mo0PPeBkiJ7962kfu3XNwIYKIAQpBFII8DzQtZMk_eO71MYbC1jDzfTpmKgoKQ2G79Uaoc6WRzDW5_wEgt7T5nIslPIi-5p2hrVDvf-O9&amp;c=GMZabvnTC7n6OX3wWtW99HE-Sv1qHBeipWTyU9BY3py9VQ1OgDwfaA==&amp;ch=wyFFtlHougY2h3W_Ul7VhdVZEdEyyFunVVHrMle4CyhLo7VBewaY4g==" target="_blank">“hot spots."</a>●If you test positive, isolate immediately and be open and honest with COVID caseworkers about your contacts.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Saline County: 734 new COVID-19 cases since Friday

WASHINGTON (AP) —The fast-moving omicron variant may cause less severe disease on average, but COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. are climbing and modelers forecast 50,000 to 300,000 more Americans could die by the time the wave subsides in mid-March.

The seven-day rolling average for daily new COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. has been trending upward since mid-November, reaching nearly 1,700 on Jan. 17 — still below the peak of 3,300 in January 2021. COVID-19 deaths among nursing home residents&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-pandemics-nursing-homes-centers-for-disease-control-and-prevention-31685a926b0ee4e97e1b314a52b1f41c">started rising slightly two weeks ago</a>, although still at a rate 10 times less than last year before most residents were vaccinated.

Despite signs omicron causes milder disease on average, the unprecedented level of infection spreading through the country, with cases still soaring in many states, means many vulnerable people will become severely sick. If the higher end of projections comes to pass, that would push total U.S. deaths from COVID-19 over 1 million by early spring.

“A lot of people are still going to die because of how transmissible omicron has been,” said University of South Florida epidemiologist Jason Salemi. “It unfortunately is going to get worse before it gets better.”

Morgues are starting to run out of space in Johnson County, Kansas, said Dr. Sanmi Areola, director of the health department. More than 30 residents have died in the county this year, the vast majority of them unvaccinated.

But the notion that a generally less severe variant could still take the lives of thousands of people has been difficult for health experts to convey. The math of it — that a small percentage of a very high number of infections can yield a very high number of deaths — is difficult to visualize.

“Overall, you’re going to see more sick people even if you as an individual have a lower chance of being sick,” said Katriona Shea of Pennsylvania State University, who co-leads a team that pulls together&nbsp;<a href="https://covid19scenariomodelinghub.org/" target="_blank">several pandemic models</a>&nbsp;and shares the combined projections with the White House.

The wave of deaths heading for the United States will crest in late January or early February, Shea said. In early February, weekly deaths could equal or exceed the delta peak, and possibly even surpass the previous U.S. peak in deaths last year.

Some unknown portion of these deaths are among people infected with the delta variant, but experts say omicron is also claiming lives.

“This is omicron driven,” Shea said of the coming wave of deaths. The combined models project 1.5 million Americans will be hospitalized and 191,000 will die from mid-December through mid-March. Taking into account the uncertainty in the models, U.S. deaths during the omicron wave could range from 58,000 to 305,000.

Yet, it’s become increasingly clear that the risk from omicron is lower than from previous variants. New evidence from nearly 70,000 patients in Southern California suggests omicron is causing milder illness than delta.

A study, posted online and cited during a recent White House briefing, found patients with omicron had a 53% lower risk of hospitalization with respiratory symptoms, a 74% lower risk of ICU admission, and a 91% lower risk of death. The study, which has not yet been peer reviewed, comes from researchers at Kaiser Permanente and University of California, Berkeley.

“It’s hard for me to say straight out it’s good news,” said study co-author Sara Y. Tartof, a Kaiser Permanente research scientist. “Maybe there’s good news in the sense that if you are infected your chance of becoming severely ill are decreased, but from a societal perspective it’s a very heavy burden for us. It remains a serious situation, and we need to maintain practices and behaviors we know protect us.”

Overburdened hospitals could also contribute to more deaths, said Marc Lipsitch of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and scientific director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s forecasting center.

“In places with extremely short staffing and overloads of patients, as the medical professionals have been telling us, the quality of care begins to suffer,” Lipsitch said. “That may also lead to higher death rates, but that’s not in any of the models that I’m aware of.”

WASHINGTON (AP) —The fast-moving omicron variant may cause less severe disease on average, but COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. are climbing and modelers forecast 50,000 to 300,000 more Americans could die by the time the wave subsides in mid-March.The seven-day rolling average for daily new COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. has been trending upward since mid-November, reaching nearly 1,700 on Jan. 17 — still below the peak of 3,300 in January 2021. COVID-19 deaths among nursing home residents&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-pandemics-nursing-homes-centers-for-disease-control-and-prevention-31685a926b0ee4e97e1b314a52b1f41c">started rising slightly two weeks ago</a>, although still at a rate 10 times less than last year before most residents were vaccinated.Despite signs omicron causes milder disease on average, the unprecedented level of infection spreading through the country, with cases still soaring in many states, means many vulnerable people will become severely sick. If the higher end of projections comes to pass, that would push total U.S. deaths from COVID-19 over 1 million by early spring.“A lot of people are still going to die because of how transmissible omicron has been,” said University of South Florida epidemiologist Jason Salemi. “It unfortunately is going to get worse before it gets better.”Morgues are starting to run out of space in Johnson County, Kansas, said Dr. Sanmi Areola, director of the health department. More than 30 residents have died in the county this year, the vast majority of them unvaccinated.But the notion that a generally less severe variant could still take the lives of thousands of people has been difficult for health experts to convey. The math of it — that a small percentage of a very high number of infections can yield a very high number of deaths — is difficult to visualize.“Overall, you’re going to see more sick people even if you as an individual have a lower chance of being sick,” said Katriona Shea of Pennsylvania State University, who co-leads a team that pulls together&nbsp;<a href="https://covid19scenariomodelinghub.org/" target="_blank">several pandemic models</a>&nbsp;and shares the combined projections with the White House.The wave of deaths heading for the United States will crest in late January or early February, Shea said. In early February, weekly deaths could equal or exceed the delta peak, and possibly even surpass the previous U.S. peak in deaths last year.Some unknown portion of these deaths are among people infected with the delta variant, but experts say omicron is also claiming lives.“This is omicron driven,” Shea said of the coming wave of deaths. The combined models project 1.5 million Americans will be hospitalized and 191,000 will die from mid-December through mid-March. Taking into account the uncertainty in the models, U.S. deaths during the omicron wave could range from 58,000 to 305,000.Yet, it’s become increasingly clear that the risk from omicron is lower than from previous variants. New evidence from nearly 70,000 patients in Southern California suggests omicron is causing milder illness than delta.A study, posted online and cited during a recent White House briefing, found patients with omicron had a 53% lower risk of hospitalization with respiratory symptoms, a 74% lower risk of ICU admission, and a 91% lower risk of death. The study, which has not yet been peer reviewed, comes from researchers at Kaiser Permanente and University of California, Berkeley.“It’s hard for me to say straight out it’s good news,” said study co-author Sara Y. Tartof, a Kaiser Permanente research scientist. “Maybe there’s good news in the sense that if you are infected your chance of becoming severely ill are decreased, but from a societal perspective it’s a very heavy burden for us. It remains a serious situation, and we need to maintain practices and behaviors we know protect us.”Overburdened hospitals could also contribute to more deaths, said Marc Lipsitch of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and scientific director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s forecasting center.“In places with extremely short staffing and overloads of patients, as the medical professionals have been telling us, the quality of care begins to suffer,” Lipsitch said. “That may also lead to higher death rates, but that’s not in any of the models that I’m aware of.”___

Report: US faces wave of omicron deaths in coming weeks

Following is the Saline County Health Department COVID-19 update for Friday. There will be no update on Monday due to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday.

The Saline County Health Department has ceased contact tracing for COVID-19 cases. If you test positive for COVID, you should follow the KDHE isolation and quarantine guidance and alert any close contacts that they may have been exposed.

While contact tracing has ended, investigation will continue and isolation letters will be issued by request only. Those who require an isolation letter for work are encouraged to reach out to the health department directly.

Due to the extremely high caseload of residents testing positive for COVID-19, it is taking more than five days for the health department to contact positive cases.

Due to these circumstances, not everyone who tests positive will be contacted by the health department. The priority is now on contacting those who are under 18 or who have requested quarantine letters.

Employers should understand that due to the high caseload, their employees may not receive their letters in a timely manner. Employers should consider using positive test results and the KDHE guidelines to determine return dates for their employees.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Saline County Health Department is adopting all the KDHE guidelines regarding quarantine and isolation as written.

<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/134/Isolation--Quarantine-Guidance-and-FAQs-PDF---11022?bidId=">KDHE quarantine and isolation guidelines</a>

There have been 295 new cases of COVID-19 reported since our last update, and the Saline County Health Department is monitoring 1,845 patients who are currently dealing with issues related to COVID-19.

In total, 11,647 individual cases of COVID-19 have been reported to the Health Department, and at least 9,612 people have recovered after testing positive for the virus.

Salina Regional Health Center reports that 20 patients require hospitalization related to COVID-19.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Following is the Saline County Health Department COVID-19 update for Friday. There will be no update on Monday due to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday.The Saline County Health Department has ceased contact tracing for COVID-19 cases. If you test positive for COVID, you should follow the KDHE isolation and quarantine guidance and alert any close contacts that they may have been exposed. While contact tracing has ended, investigation will continue and isolation letters will be issued by request only. Those who require an isolation letter for work are encouraged to reach out to the health department directly. Due to the extremely high caseload of residents testing positive for COVID-19, it is taking more than five days for the health department to contact positive cases. Due to these circumstances, not everyone who tests positive will be contacted by the health department. The priority is now on contacting those who are under 18 or who have requested quarantine letters. Employers should understand that due to the high caseload, their employees may not receive their letters in a timely manner. Employers should consider using positive test results and the KDHE guidelines to determine return dates for their employees.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Saline County Health Department is adopting all the KDHE guidelines regarding quarantine and isolation as written.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/134/Isolation--Quarantine-Guidance-and-FAQs-PDF---11022?bidId=">KDHE quarantine and isolation guidelines</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642199974033.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>There have been 295 new cases of COVID-19 reported since our last update, and the Saline County Health Department is monitoring 1,845 patients who are currently dealing with issues related to COVID-19. In total, 11,647 individual cases of COVID-19 have been reported to the Health Department, and at least 9,612 people have recovered after testing positive for the virus. Salina Regional Health Center reports that 20 patients require hospitalization related to COVID-19.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Saline County: Health department ends contact tracing; 295 new cases

Following is the McPherson County Health Department COVID-19 report for Thursday.

McPherson County is experiencing extremely high infection rates. McPherson County Health Department (MCHD) strongly urges all county residents 2 years of age and above to mask up. We also strongly urge all county residents 5 years of age and above to get vaccinated. If you completed a COVID-19 vaccine series prior to July 2021, you are likely due for a booster dose. Vaccination remains to be our best tool to prevent severe illness, hospitalization and death. Our local hospitals, and surrounding hospitals we may normally transfer patients to, are at maximum capacity and response.

Please help our healthcare workers and our community by masking up, getting vaccinated and staying home if you’re ill.

In December 2021, McPherson County reported 596 cases of COVID-19. So far in the first 13 days of January 2022, we have reported 672 cases of COVID-19. This is an all-time high that will likely get worse before it gets better. With over 500 active cases of COVID-19 in our community at the time of this release, MCHD begs you to take appropriate precautions.

Our schools, businesses and healthcare system depend on each person to do their part.

As of this release, there are 80 confirmed variant cases out of 95 tested specimens. At this time, these identified variants do not require additional quarantine or isolation precautions outside of what is already done for non-variant cases. More information regarding COVID-19 variants can be found at <a href="https://www.who.int/.../tracking-SARS-CoV-2-variants/">https://www.who.int/.../tracking-SARS-CoV-2-variants/</a>.

KDHE and MCHD continue to mandate a 10-day quarantine for Kansans. This quarantine does not apply if you have been fully vaccinated for at least 2 weeks and are asymptomatic. The travel and exposure related quarantine list can be found at <a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/175/Travel-Exposure-Related-Isolation-Quaran">https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/175/Travel-Exposure-Related-Isolation-Quaran</a>.

COVID-19 data in McPherson County can be found on the home page of <a href="http://mcphersoncountyks.us">mcphersoncountyks.us</a>, under “McPherson County COVID-19 Dashboard.” This data will continue to be updated Tuesdays and Thursdays of each week.

Following is the McPherson County Health Department COVID-19 report for Thursday.McPherson County is experiencing extremely high infection rates. McPherson County Health Department (MCHD) strongly urges all county residents 2 years of age and above to mask up. We also strongly urge all county residents 5 years of age and above to get vaccinated. If you completed a COVID-19 vaccine series prior to July 2021, you are likely due for a booster dose. Vaccination remains to be our best tool to prevent severe illness, hospitalization and death. Our local hospitals, and surrounding hospitals we may normally transfer patients to, are at maximum capacity and response.Please help our healthcare workers and our community by masking up, getting vaccinated and staying home if you’re ill.In December 2021, McPherson County reported 596 cases of COVID-19. So far in the first 13 days of January 2022, we have reported 672 cases of COVID-19. This is an all-time high that will likely get worse before it gets better. With over 500 active cases of COVID-19 in our community at the time of this release, MCHD begs you to take appropriate precautions.Our schools, businesses and healthcare system depend on each person to do their part.As of this release, there are 80 confirmed variant cases out of 95 tested specimens. At this time, these identified variants do not require additional quarantine or isolation precautions outside of what is already done for non-variant cases. More information regarding COVID-19 variants can be found at <a href="https://www.who.int/.../tracking-SARS-CoV-2-variants/">https://www.who.int/.../tracking-SARS-CoV-2-variants/</a>.●Variant B.1.1.7 (Alpha): 6●Variant B.1.617.2 (Delta): 28●Variant AY.2 (Delta): 17●Variant AY.3 (Delta): 16●Variant AY.4 (Delta): 10●Variant AY.7 (Delta): 1●Variant BA.1 (Omicron): 2KDHE and MCHD continue to mandate a 10-day quarantine for Kansans. This quarantine does not apply if you have been fully vaccinated for at least 2 weeks and are asymptomatic. The travel and exposure related quarantine list can be found at <a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/175/Travel-Exposure-Related-Isolation-Quaran">https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/175/Travel-Exposure-Related-Isolation-Quaran</a>.COVID-19 data in McPherson County can be found on the home page of <a href="http://mcphersoncountyks.us">mcphersoncountyks.us</a>, under “McPherson County COVID-19 Dashboard.” This data will continue to be updated Tuesdays and Thursdays of each week.

McPherson County: 672 COVID-19 cases reported in January

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden announced Thursday that the government will double to 1 billion the rapid, at-home COVID-19 tests to be distributed free to Americans, along with the most protective N95 masks, as he highlighted his efforts to “surge” resources to help the country weather the spike in coronavirus cases.

Biden also announced that starting next week 1,000 military medical personnel will begin deploying across the country to help overwhelmed medical facilities ease&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-b6d58e41b209dd67ed0954f28b542baf">staff shortages</a>&nbsp;due to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-europe-london-england-eddf1657a9462547826881562b71f3b7">the highly transmissible omicron variant</a>.

Many facilities are struggling because their workers are in at-home quarantines due to the virus at the same time as a nationwide spike in COVID-19 cases. The new deployments will be on top of other federal medical personnel who have already been sent to states to help with acute shortages.

Speaking at the White House Thursday, Biden acknowledged that, “I know we’re all frustrated as we enter this new year” as virus cases reach new heights. But he insisted that it remains “a pandemic of the unvaccinated.”

Both vaccinated and unvaccinated people test positive for the virus, but Biden noted medical figures showing that people are far less likely to suffer serious illness and death if they’ve received a shot: “What happens after that could not be more different.”

Biden’s comments come as his administration’s focus is shifting to easing disruptions from the spike in cases that is also contributing to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/grocery-store-supply-chain-issues-166cc40b0ff095af9d0bf4041fa1b5fc">grocery shortages</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-travel-flight-cancellations-bed3b491ef8dfd778ac612e35add75fb">flight cancellations,&nbsp;</a>rather than preventing the transmission of the virus.

On Tuesday, Janet Woodcock, the acting head of the Food and Drug Administration, told Congress that the highly transmissible strain will infect “most people” and that the focus should turn to ensuring critical services can continue uninterrupted.

“I think it’s hard to process what’s actually happening right now, which is: Most people are going to get COVID, all right?” she said. “What we need to do is make sure the hospitals can still function — transportation, other essential services are not disrupted while this happens.”

Biden said that he is directing his team to double its procurement of rapid COVID-19 tests to be delivered for free to Americans through a forthcoming federal website, as he seeks to respond to criticism over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-science-travel-health-196255dcfe3e928b6f9f5779cd47be4e">shortages and long lines for tests</a>. The initial order was for 500 million tests, and now the federal government will purchase 1 billion at-home testing kits. Biden said the website will launch next week.

Biden also announced that for the first time his administration was planning to make high-quality N95 masks, which are most effective at preventing transmission of the virus, available for free. He said his administration would announce details next week.

The federal government has a stockpile of more than 750 million N95 masks, the White House said this week. And though research has shown those masks to be better protection, they are often more uncomfortable, and health officials are not altering their guidance to recommend against less-protective cloth masks.

The best mask “is the one that you will wear and the one you can keep on all day long, that you can tolerate in public indoor settings,” Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said Wednesday.

Biden encouraged Americans to wear masks when indoors to slow the spread of the virus, even as he acknowledged they’re a “pain in the neck”

During Thursday’s remarks Biden was joined by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-biden-cabinet-lloyd-austin-john-cornyn-army-4d8848273e4e1fe6e4ad2dc8cee7313c">Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin</a>, who recently recovered from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-health-lloyd-austin-alejandro-mayorkas-d06d9606206265e8fae110cf7a549fd4">his own case of COVID-19</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-politics-new-york-coronavirus-pandemic-emergency-management-49cff31bd6d423da5379523f99835eef">FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell</a>. They were hearing about the work of the more than 800 military personnel who have been helping civilian hospitals since Thanksgiving and the more than 14,000&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-health-new-hampshire-dover-7352b829ecb9ca54d89df03fa6fd9191">National Guard members</a>&nbsp;whose work supporting vaccinations, testing and caring for patients is being covered by the federal government.

The White House said the they spoke with federal personnel who are already on the ground in Arizona, Michigan and New York to hear about their experiences.

Biden also announced that six additional military medical teams will be deployed to Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio and Rhode Island.

The White House said the teams will support Henry Ford Hospital just outside Detroit, University Hospital in Newark, the University of New Mexico hospital in Albuquerque, Coney Island Hospital in Brooklyn, Cleveland Clinic and Rhode Island Hospital in Providence.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden announced Thursday that the government will double to 1 billion the rapid, at-home COVID-19 tests to be distributed free to Americans, along with the most protective N95 masks, as he highlighted his efforts to “surge” resources to help the country weather the spike in coronavirus cases.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F627100008618297%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=17" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Biden also announced that starting next week 1,000 military medical personnel will begin deploying across the country to help overwhelmed medical facilities ease&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-b6d58e41b209dd67ed0954f28b542baf">staff shortages</a>&nbsp;due to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-europe-london-england-eddf1657a9462547826881562b71f3b7">the highly transmissible omicron variant</a>.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Biden just announced that our administration will purchase an additional 500 million COVID-19 at home tests, bringing the total number of tests that will be distributed for free to 1 billion. <a href="https://t.co/Ze8NSyKaf9">pic.twitter.com/Ze8NSyKaf9</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1481654833199259649?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 13, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Many facilities are struggling because their workers are in at-home quarantines due to the virus at the same time as a nationwide spike in COVID-19 cases. The new deployments will be on top of other federal medical personnel who have already been sent to states to help with acute shortages.Speaking at the White House Thursday, Biden acknowledged that, “I know we’re all frustrated as we enter this new year” as virus cases reach new heights. But he insisted that it remains “a pandemic of the unvaccinated.”Both vaccinated and unvaccinated people test positive for the virus, but Biden noted medical figures showing that people are far less likely to suffer serious illness and death if they’ve received a shot: “What happens after that could not be more different.”Biden’s comments come as his administration’s focus is shifting to easing disruptions from the spike in cases that is also contributing to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/grocery-store-supply-chain-issues-166cc40b0ff095af9d0bf4041fa1b5fc">grocery shortages</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-travel-flight-cancellations-bed3b491ef8dfd778ac612e35add75fb">flight cancellations,&nbsp;</a>rather than preventing the transmission of the virus.On Tuesday, Janet Woodcock, the acting head of the Food and Drug Administration, told Congress that the highly transmissible strain will infect “most people” and that the focus should turn to ensuring critical services can continue uninterrupted.“I think it’s hard to process what’s actually happening right now, which is: Most people are going to get COVID, all right?” she said. “What we need to do is make sure the hospitals can still function — transportation, other essential services are not disrupted while this happens.”Biden said that he is directing his team to double its procurement of rapid COVID-19 tests to be delivered for free to Americans through a forthcoming federal website, as he seeks to respond to criticism over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-science-travel-health-196255dcfe3e928b6f9f5779cd47be4e">shortages and long lines for tests</a>. The initial order was for 500 million tests, and now the federal government will purchase 1 billion at-home testing kits. Biden said the website will launch next week.Biden also announced that for the first time his administration was planning to make high-quality N95 masks, which are most effective at preventing transmission of the virus, available for free. He said his administration would announce details next week.The federal government has a stockpile of more than 750 million N95 masks, the White House said this week. And though research has shown those masks to be better protection, they are often more uncomfortable, and health officials are not altering their guidance to recommend against less-protective cloth masks.The best mask “is the one that you will wear and the one you can keep on all day long, that you can tolerate in public indoor settings,” Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said Wednesday.Biden encouraged Americans to wear masks when indoors to slow the spread of the virus, even as he acknowledged they’re a “pain in the neck”During Thursday’s remarks Biden was joined by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-biden-cabinet-lloyd-austin-john-cornyn-army-4d8848273e4e1fe6e4ad2dc8cee7313c">Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin</a>, who recently recovered from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-joe-biden-health-lloyd-austin-alejandro-mayorkas-d06d9606206265e8fae110cf7a549fd4">his own case of COVID-19</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-politics-new-york-coronavirus-pandemic-emergency-management-49cff31bd6d423da5379523f99835eef">FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell</a>. They were hearing about the work of the more than 800 military personnel who have been helping civilian hospitals since Thanksgiving and the more than 14,000&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-health-new-hampshire-dover-7352b829ecb9ca54d89df03fa6fd9191">National Guard members</a>&nbsp;whose work supporting vaccinations, testing and caring for patients is being covered by the federal government.The White House said the they spoke with federal personnel who are already on the ground in Arizona, Michigan and New York to hear about their experiences.Biden also announced that six additional military medical teams will be deployed to Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio and Rhode Island.The White House said the teams will support Henry Ford Hospital just outside Detroit, University Hospital in Newark, the University of New Mexico hospital in Albuquerque, Coney Island Hospital in Brooklyn, Cleveland Clinic and Rhode Island Hospital in Providence.

🎥 Biden now offering 1 billion free COVID tests to fight omicron

The Saline County Health Department issued the following statement this evening concerning&nbsp;quarantine and isolation.

The Saline County Health Department is adopting all the KDHE <a href="https://files.ctctusercontent.com/55d47694801/0237fe29-c0be-494b-81e5-c78ebbcabfc2.pdf?rdr=true">guidelines regarding quarantine and isolation</a> as written.

Check back for additional information regarding contact tracing on Friday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Saline County Health Department issued the following statement this evening concerning&nbsp;quarantine and isolation.The Saline County Health Department is adopting all the KDHE <a href="https://files.ctctusercontent.com/55d47694801/0237fe29-c0be-494b-81e5-c78ebbcabfc2.pdf?rdr=true">guidelines regarding quarantine and isolation</a> as written. Check back for additional information regarding contact tracing on Friday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Saline County Health Dept. statement on isolation, quarantine

●Two additional members of our community have lost their lives to COVID-19 since our last update on Monday.

●There have been 367 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Saline County since our last update.

●Salina Regional Health Center reports that 25 people are currently hospitalized due to COVID-19.

●The Saline County Health Department staff is currently monitoring 1,664 patients with issues related to COVID-19.

●An additional 208 people were vaccinated against COVID-19 this week, an increase of .4 percent.

●A total of 29,295 residents of Saline County have been vaccinated, accounting for 54 percent of the total population.

<a href="https://www.vaccines.gov/">Vaccine finder</a>

<a href="https://www.vaccinatesalinecountyks.com/">Vaccinate Saline County</a>

The best way to stop the spread of COVID-19 and thus prevent mutation of the virus is:

●Get tested&nbsp;if you feel unwell, even if you don’t believe it is COVID. You can find testing centers at&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001__dorDoJmW46RDuYWeKevM2a2NG3eeWlWdjaaVSGg90XQwKyli0GRSCOgtmFl9gFh6DI5nyR7vgXYfm5mIFtwY8l8IIs2Q6vXRimPt2jw-pQ0nd3ZZRnPpn1Mrk9DuUU_4nmWrr9XJmoIx-TLi31hW6Xnskq31bhWWUbPhUrDMg=&amp;c=92KRX5OdFH600HngSkv1HmEa61JDc7V_gd0R91KZIyE4cLp-eOSYJw==&amp;ch=K1MpuXids4E0UB6TB2nIQU6I8e3b0c4k9pEm4jwIt3gea2GOpvBARg==" target="_blank">VaccinateSalineCountyKS.com/testing</a>&nbsp;or contact your local medical provider.

●Get vaccinated. You can find a vaccine at&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001__dorDoJmW46RDuYWeKevM2a2NG3eeWlWdjaaVSGg90XQwKyli0GRSWjK3Hb8gQ4gt4AQNmMy4Iiq3-83ZYzRarU1cWQXgy72c_2w8dK53I2hRP6FvNHB-tA1yKDyeJued7oKiaP6auTQ3-GrITZnw==&amp;c=92KRX5OdFH600HngSkv1HmEa61JDc7V_gd0R91KZIyE4cLp-eOSYJw==&amp;ch=K1MpuXids4E0UB6TB2nIQU6I8e3b0c4k9pEm4jwIt3gea2GOpvBARg==" target="_blank">vaccines.gov</a>&nbsp;or contact your local medical provider.

●Wear a mask, especially if you are not fully vaccinated. If you are fully vaccinated, wear a mask when indoors in crowded spaces.

●Maintain at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and those with whom you do not live.

●Do not travel to&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001__dorDoJmW46RDuYWeKevM2a2NG3eeWlWdjaaVSGg90XQwKyli0GRSWjK3Hb8gQ4g1FiZhG9hvXXHqB_LQEYpt1YCrlZSgmFRFgvTVPJt1S7dES8wuVfOQYl9X_iLN-rrpIl1ZJgJ58SIhBtnGvqo05B1kzYM21PL7xpqCKNNn6WaQYYsUn_9O1Dt0p1llQQ8O-kv65qqX5watUHAp4RTTFGsNhBBgCb&amp;c=92KRX5OdFH600HngSkv1HmEa61JDc7V_gd0R91KZIyE4cLp-eOSYJw==&amp;ch=K1MpuXids4E0UB6TB2nIQU6I8e3b0c4k9pEm4jwIt3gea2GOpvBARg==" target="_blank">“hot spots."</a>

●If you test positive, isolate immediately and be open and honest with COVID caseworkers about your contacts.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642028254932.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Following is the Saline County Health Department COVID-19 update for Wednesday.●Two additional members of our community have lost their lives to COVID-19 since our last update on Monday.●There have been 367 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Saline County since our last update.●Salina Regional Health Center reports that 25 people are currently hospitalized due to COVID-19.●The Saline County Health Department staff is currently monitoring 1,664 patients with issues related to COVID-19.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1642027894653.png" alt="" />
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 </figure>COVID Vaccination Update for Saline County ●An additional 208 people were vaccinated against COVID-19 this week, an increase of .4 percent.●A total of 29,295 residents of Saline County have been vaccinated, accounting for 54 percent of the total population.<a href="https://www.vaccines.gov/">Vaccine finder</a><a href="https://www.vaccinatesalinecountyks.com/">Vaccinate Saline County</a>The best way to stop the spread of COVID-19 and thus prevent mutation of the virus is:●Stay home&nbsp;if you are sick.●Get tested&nbsp;if you feel unwell, even if you don’t believe it is COVID. You can find testing centers at&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001__dorDoJmW46RDuYWeKevM2a2NG3eeWlWdjaaVSGg90XQwKyli0GRSCOgtmFl9gFh6DI5nyR7vgXYfm5mIFtwY8l8IIs2Q6vXRimPt2jw-pQ0nd3ZZRnPpn1Mrk9DuUU_4nmWrr9XJmoIx-TLi31hW6Xnskq31bhWWUbPhUrDMg=&amp;c=92KRX5OdFH600HngSkv1HmEa61JDc7V_gd0R91KZIyE4cLp-eOSYJw==&amp;ch=K1MpuXids4E0UB6TB2nIQU6I8e3b0c4k9pEm4jwIt3gea2GOpvBARg==" target="_blank">VaccinateSalineCountyKS.com/testing</a>&nbsp;or contact your local medical provider.●Get vaccinated. You can find a vaccine at&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001__dorDoJmW46RDuYWeKevM2a2NG3eeWlWdjaaVSGg90XQwKyli0GRSWjK3Hb8gQ4gt4AQNmMy4Iiq3-83ZYzRarU1cWQXgy72c_2w8dK53I2hRP6FvNHB-tA1yKDyeJued7oKiaP6auTQ3-GrITZnw==&amp;c=92KRX5OdFH600HngSkv1HmEa61JDc7V_gd0R91KZIyE4cLp-eOSYJw==&amp;ch=K1MpuXids4E0UB6TB2nIQU6I8e3b0c4k9pEm4jwIt3gea2GOpvBARg==" target="_blank">vaccines.gov</a>&nbsp;or contact your local medical provider.●Wear a mask, especially if you are not fully vaccinated. If you are fully vaccinated, wear a mask when indoors in crowded spaces.●Maintain at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and those with whom you do not live.●Do not travel to&nbsp;<a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001__dorDoJmW46RDuYWeKevM2a2NG3eeWlWdjaaVSGg90XQwKyli0GRSWjK3Hb8gQ4g1FiZhG9hvXXHqB_LQEYpt1YCrlZSgmFRFgvTVPJt1S7dES8wuVfOQYl9X_iLN-rrpIl1ZJgJ58SIhBtnGvqo05B1kzYM21PL7xpqCKNNn6WaQYYsUn_9O1Dt0p1llQQ8O-kv65qqX5watUHAp4RTTFGsNhBBgCb&amp;c=92KRX5OdFH600HngSkv1HmEa61JDc7V_gd0R91KZIyE4cLp-eOSYJw==&amp;ch=K1MpuXids4E0UB6TB2nIQU6I8e3b0c4k9pEm4jwIt3gea2GOpvBARg==" target="_blank">“hot spots."</a>●If you test positive, isolate immediately and be open and honest with COVID caseworkers about your contacts.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Saline County: 2 additional deaths; 367 new COVID-19 cases

LINDSBORG - Smoky Valley Public Schools (USD 400) announced today that it will require face coverings to be worn in grades 7-12 for the next seven school days.

"Due to increasing cases of COVID infections in our secondary grade levels, face coverings will be required for all 7-12 students and staff from Thursday, January 13 until Friday, January 21," the district noted in a posting on its <a href="https://www.smokyvalley.org/">website</a>.

Following is a video update from Superintendent Glen Suppes.

LINDSBORG - Smoky Valley Public Schools (USD 400) announced today that it will require face coverings to be worn in grades 7-12 for the next seven school days."Due to increasing cases of COVID infections in our secondary grade levels, face coverings will be required for all 7-12 students and staff from Thursday, January 13 until Friday, January 21," the district noted in a posting on its <a href="https://www.smokyvalley.org/">website</a>.Following is a video update from Superintendent Glen Suppes.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-t40cEe2YRI" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

🎥Smoky Valley USD 400 requiring face coverings for grades 7-12

UPDATE 4:55 p.m. Tuesday: The Saline County Health Department has issued corrected information concerning isolating. See the corrected information below in bold.

The Saline County Health Department issued the following statement this afternoon concerning the local isolation and quarantine protocol.

The Saline County Health Department is awaiting the final piece of guidance from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) to make the appropriate updates to our local isolation and quarantine protocol.

We understand that everyone is anxious to know these changes and we appreciate the public's patience and support as we work toward adopting policies required at the state and national levels, as well as those that work best for our community.

We expect to have all the information necessary to make these changes sometime tomorrow (Wednesday, January 12) and are hoping to release the updated guidelines tomorrow evening.

We will release the information as soon as possible.

UPDATE 4:55 p.m. Tuesday: The Saline County Health Department has issued corrected information concerning isolating. See the corrected information below in bold.The Saline County Health Department issued the following statement this afternoon concerning the local isolation and quarantine protocol.The Saline County Health Department is awaiting the final piece of guidance from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) to make the appropriate updates to our local isolation and quarantine protocol. We understand that everyone is anxious to know these changes and we appreciate the public's patience and support as we work toward adopting policies required at the state and national levels, as well as those that work best for our community. We expect to have all the information necessary to make these changes sometime tomorrow (Wednesday, January 12) and are hoping to release the updated guidelines tomorrow evening. We will release the information as soon as possible.1000 Cases in 2022 so far Thus far in January, more than 1000 Saline County residents have tested positive for COVID.Due to this overwhelming number, COVID investigators at the Saline County Health Department and KDHE are unable to contact everyone in a timely manner, and may not be able to contact everyone. If you tested positive for COVID, you need to isolate immediately. The members of your household may need to quarantine as well depending upon their vaccination status. Let those with whom you have been in contact know they may have been exposed and need to monitor for symptoms and quarantine if symptoms develop.Call to employers ﻿The health care community in Saline County is overwhelmed. Due to the sudden, rapid increase in COVID-19 cases, the health department is experiencing delays in issuing isolation and quarantine letters to those who test positive for COVID. Employers are an integral partner in public health and are responsible for the health of their employees and patrons. If an employee tests positive for COVID or is exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, they need to stay home. The Saline County Health Department continues to formally request and encourage employers to adapt existing policies and adopt new ones, which allow employees to stay home when they are sick.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Coronavirus Update