Following is today's COVID-19 update from Saline County.
As of 5 pm, March 26th, 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.
We want the citizens to be vigilant in staying home and away from public places to avoid having to impose formal restrictions on movement. The Saline County Health officer is fully prepared to execute a stay-at-home order.
The largest rumor that we hear is that testing in Saline County is not being done. That is simply not true. Testing is being done in Saline County by the medical providers and Salina Regional Health Center. A test has to be authorized by a medical professional and meet the criteria that they and KDHE have set forth to test. Testing supplies are extremely limited. Our providers have requested more supplies for testing, but so hasn’t every other medical provider in Kansas and the U.S. We know this is frustrating. This is a frustrating, stressful, and trying time for all in our agencies as well as our medical professionals. Please be patient and understand the constraints we are working under that are out of our control.
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 www.saline.org/coronavirus
KDHE and the Kansas Department of Agriculture released a recommendation that strongly encourages landowners and managers to voluntarily reduce the number of acres that they intend to burn this spring in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We understand that prescribed burning is a valuable land management tool; however, the circumstances related to this pandemic certainly call for voluntary reduction of the number of acres burned this spring.
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.
As stated before, this is a rapidly changing situation. Our local government leaders are working hard and are making difficult decisions as it relates to the best interests of the health and safety of our citizens and employees.