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 </figure>Following is the Saline County COVID-19 update for Friday.Sadly, we have been notified of two additional deaths due to COVID-19 since our last update on January 6. Seventy-four members of our community have lost their lives to this virus.&nbsp;Salina Regional Health Center notified us that they currently have 34 hospitalized COVID-19 patients. There have been 100 new positive COVID-19 cases reported in Saline County since January 6. The total number of positive cases for Saline County has risen to 4,738. The Health Department staff are now actively monitoring 1,829 cases. At least 2,835 have recovered. Our dashboard has been updated with the latest information:●<a href="https://sacoks.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/ccad98556b7a46648616706b9f3e9cc4">Mobile Device Users</a>●<a href="https://sacoks.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/4c3ee372c5704546b7771da303afd0a7">Desktop Users</a>This is an ever-evolving situation. Please continue to follow official sources to obtain the most accurate information possible. If you have tested positive or you are known to be a close contact, please do not call the Health Department unless it has been at least five days since you received your results and you have not heard from us. We understand that for both employees and employers, quarantine or isolation documentation may be necessary to verify a leave of absence. Please refer to our&nbsp;<a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001s8SDhOE_dkTyQZBPSkyrqXR6tBmxSZPi40sqs5wraCO1URqgbUXY4St42LQEAuOVLQIJTRceSaNFxJ5z0FmbzdO44k3z88UZMXY3RFsdcqNtHdHhCty0Ty-w3Y1YoDPAZmgn9q6XtrpT0Lg628SfS6u_xZBTyb_T&amp;c=OErPrkQNZzUqAGWSx6mKnhYuGLC-rFiFI_FqAZXHDkw5CLvHzNiJjQ==&amp;ch=wFfhkGCHwv-fMfFXQQWp04JCS6d-nPejv4KHstzgPmfjLuqKuczVyQ==" target="_blank">FAQ Section</a>&nbsp;for additional questions. Health Department staff continue to be overwhelmed and several days behind with contacting new positive cases and close contacts and we are unable to produce the necessary documentation immediately. We have added staff and some cases being routed to contact tracers at KDHE, but with cases rising every day we continue to be behind. Thank you for your patience.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; According to the&nbsp;<a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001s8SDhOE_dkTyQZBPSkyrqXR6tBmxSZPi40sqs5wraCO1URqgbUXY4St42LQEAuOVnXssNJjAQrag2Hvu6TyzMpQDWU3K5iRRIL_geT3kfKejasMZ5csRF237XoiEueKQSE2rdOuG8UINFYOH-2pZFwQ95fGYc8Ox&amp;c=OErPrkQNZzUqAGWSx6mKnhYuGLC-rFiFI_FqAZXHDkw5CLvHzNiJjQ==&amp;ch=wFfhkGCHwv-fMfFXQQWp04JCS6d-nPejv4KHstzgPmfjLuqKuczVyQ==" target="_blank">Kansas Department of Health &amp; Environment Coronavirus Website</a>, there are now 242,322 cases and 3,148 deaths statewide.

Following the proven public health guidance to slow the spread of COVID-19 continues to be extremely important for everyone to do. Please:&nbsp;1. Wash your hands often, for at least 20 seconds with warm soapy water. Use hand sanitizer if you do not have access to soap and water.&nbsp;2. Maintain physical distance between yourself and others of at least 6 feet or more.&nbsp;3. Wear masks in public spaces as required by City Ordinance and County Resolution. You must cover your nose and mouth for masks to be effective.&nbsp;4. By Public Health Order, gatherings are limited to 15 persons or less (with certain exceptions for establishments).&nbsp;5. Sanitize frequently touched surfaces and areas such as doorknobs, handles, cell phones, tablets, etc.6. Stay home if you are sick. Regardless if you think it may be a cold, it could be allergies, but it also could be something worse.&nbsp; Only follow official sources to obtain information:&nbsp;<a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001s8SDhOE_dkTyQZBPSkyrqXR6tBmxSZPi40sqs5wraCO1URqgbUXY4St42LQEAuOVbnIE7d5YbIFcJnSpMSIsYkv2kL1FDySB9bnJXnKnoHf9wqSP1TyU4bPkQwFLvjQjiBSKNI46pdG6t8K6wByTUFJ1fkMyYAG2&amp;c=OErPrkQNZzUqAGWSx6mKnhYuGLC-rFiFI_FqAZXHDkw5CLvHzNiJjQ==&amp;ch=wFfhkGCHwv-fMfFXQQWp04JCS6d-nPejv4KHstzgPmfjLuqKuczVyQ==" target="_blank">www.saline.org/coronavirus</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001s8SDhOE_dkTyQZBPSkyrqXR6tBmxSZPi40sqs5wraCO1URqgbUXY4St42LQEAuOVfcdIh6ZfsRfP9QaQylZ5UIxNHGavjOkPdkl6FFpA-l8HmG8xnsmvaKVuJtY5b6PJ4f53OLH-ZGE=&amp;c=OErPrkQNZzUqAGWSx6mKnhYuGLC-rFiFI_FqAZXHDkw5CLvHzNiJjQ==&amp;ch=wFfhkGCHwv-fMfFXQQWp04JCS6d-nPejv4KHstzgPmfjLuqKuczVyQ==" target="_blank">www.kdheks.gov</a>.

Saline County: 2 additional deaths, 100 new COVID-19 cases