Mar 17, 2020

Saline County COVID-19 update -- March 16

Posted Mar 17, 2020 1:55 AM

As of today, March 16th, 2020, Saline County has not had any positive cases of COVID-19. Tests have been performed and sent to the Kansas Department of Health & Environment, but all tests that have been received have been negative at this time.

President Trump issued an address today urging citizens to slow the spread of COVID-19 recommending “15 Days to Slow the Spread.” In his address, recommendations are as follows which is supported by the Saline County Health Department:

• If you feel sick, stay home. Do not go to work. Contact your medical provider.

• If you children are sick, keep them at home.

• Avoid social gatherings in groups of more than 10 people.

• Avoiding discretionary travel.

• If you are an older person, stay home and away from other people.

• If you are a person with a serious underlying health condition that can put you at risk (for example, a condition that impairs your lung or heart function or weakens your immune system) stay home from other people.

Saline County has cancelled the public meeting scheduled for March 17th, 2020. The City of Salina has also cancelled all public meetings. Additional information regarding various County and City boards and commission meetings will be provided in the near future once there has been an opportunity to review the most recent guidance in further detail and consider alternate meeting formats.

The Kansas Department of Health & Environment (KDHE) issued new recommendations for quarantine and isolation of travelers, close contacts of confirmed cases and those being tested yesterday. KDHE is now recommending 14-day home quarantine for Kansans who have:

• Traveled to a state with known widespread community transmission (currently California, New York, and Washington state) on or after March 15th.

• Visited Eagle, Summit, Pitkin and Gunnison counties in Colorado with in the past week. This includes many of the popular skiing destinations such as Vail, Breckenridge, and Aspen.

• Traveled on a cruise ship on or after March 15th.

• Traveled internationally on or after March 15th.

• Received notification from public health officials (state or local) that you are a close contact of a laboratory-confirmed case of COVID-19.

• See more of the recommendations from KDHE at:

https://khap2.kdhe.state.ks.us/NewsRelease/PDFs/3-15-20%20Quarantine%20recommendations%20FINAL.pdf

The Kansas Corporation Commission has issued an emergency order suspending all utility disconnects until April 15th to offer relief to those experiencing potential hardship from the COVID-19 virus. For more information visit: https://kcc.ks.gov/

The Health Department and Public Safety Agencies are following all of the guidance that has been issued by Kansas Department of Health & Environment and the Centers for Disease Control.

These agencies have excellent information that is constantly being updated:

www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus/ or www.cdc.gov .

We cannot stress enough the importance of preventing the spread of diseases by:

• Staying at home if you are sick.

• Washing your hands.

• Covering your sneezes and coughs.

• If you have concerns of your health condition, please call your healthcare provider.