Here is today's COVID-19 update from Saline County:As of 5 pm, March 25th, 2020, Saline County has not had a confirmed positive case of COVID19. Just because no positive cases have been reported through our official channels, doesn’t mean that there isn’t a potential for a positive case to exist within our community. It is possible that a person hasn’t met the requirements for the testing set by KDHE and have been advised by their medical provider to self-quarantine. When a positive case is identified in Saline County, the Saline County Health Department will be the only official source to release that information.Dr. Norman from KDHE conducted a press conference today. There are 126 positive COVID-19 cases in Kansas, which is an increase of 28 from yesterday. Dr. Norman addressed that he expects that the positive cases have a great potential to double in the next 3-4 days. This information is yet another reason for the citizens of Salina/Saline County to take this situation seriously. Just because it is reported that no positive cases are in Saline County, doesn’t mean that there aren’t people that are doing the right thing and self-isolating at home, monitoring their symptoms and communicating with their medical provider.•KDHE Kansas COVID-19 Map:<a href="https://kdhe.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/05f4169dc6394aa98895072b94734134">https://kdhe.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/05f4169dc6394aa98895072b94734134</a>We are aware of the other Counties that have instituted stay-at-home orders. Our County Health Officer’s position for not implementing one is simple; a stay-at-home order has an exhaustive list of exemptions of those trades that are considered essential. A stay-at-home order is not a game of how you can figure out how to get around the exemptions so that you can leave your home and do what you want. That is the wrong approach. We are asking you to stay-at-home voluntarily by heading the public health messages that are all over the State of Kansas and the U.S. and stay at home. If you must go out for essential things such as reporting to work or grocery needs, then do so; but observe the social distancing guidelines that are a proven epidemiological practice. Testing in Saline County is being done, but does adhere to the testing guidelines set forth by KDHE and typically reserved for the sickest people. Commercial labs can do testing, and have been for a few days now, providing for more testing being completed each day across the State.Testing must be authorized by a medical provider and approved through either KDHE’s lab or a commercial lab. Several common questions and their answers directly related to symptoms, testing for the virus and requirements for testing have been posted on our website at <a href="http://www.saline.org/coronavirus">www.saline.org/coronavirus</a>.KDHE released interim guidance for Cosmetology, Barbering, Tanning, Tattoo shop establishments today:•Establishments are asked to be extra vigilant in cleaning and disinfection.•Practicing alternate scheduling practices.•Practicing of good hygiene.•Screening questions that should be asked of clients before arriving to an establishment.•Working with your local municipality and local county health department on additional guidance.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 about your health condition, please call your healthcare provider.

Saline County: March 25 COVID-19 update