Following is the Saline County COVID-19 update for Friday.
There are 18 new positive COVID-19 cases in Saline County to report since the last update on Wednesday, October 7. The total for the county is now 877, with 105 cases that are actively being monitored by the Health Department, 760 that have recovered, and a total of 12 deaths. Salina Regional Health Center reporting that they have 6 hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Salina Regional is a regional hospital, the COVID-19 patient total is not specific to the number of Saline County residents who may be hospitalized. Our dashboard has been updated with the latest information:
●Mobile Device Users: https://arcg.is/yjPT1
●Desktop Users: https://arcg.is/1qHnb0
According to the Kansas Department of Health & Environment, there are now 65,807 cases and 763 deaths statewide. This information can be found at https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/.
COVID-19 testing is a topic that Jason Tiller, Health Officer, covered in his bi-weekly brief to the County Commission on Tuesday. He noted that in order for one to be tested, there must be symptoms present. He recommends starting with your primary care physician for them to determine if a COVID-19 test needs to be conducted. Several of the symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to other infections and viruses, thus the need to consult with your physician first. CVS has started a drive-thru by appointment testing.
Information on accessing that service can be found at https://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing.
Most major insurances cover the cost of testing, but always check with your health plan to confirm.
Through the Federal program for the uninsured, CVS offers the test at no cost.
Here is what you can do to help us to stop the spread:
●Stay home if you have any symptoms or are ill
●Wear masks in public spaces as required by City Ordinance and County Resolution
●Maximize physical distance (6 feet or more) in public settings
●Avoid socializing with large groups
●High-risk individuals should only leave the house for essential needs
●Wash your hands frequently
Only follow official sources to obtain information: www.saline.org/coronavirus or www.kdheks.gov.