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 </figure>Here is the Saline County COVID-19 update for Wednesday.Sadly, we have been notified of one additional death due to COVID-19 since our last update on December 21. Forty-eight members of our community have lost their lives to this virus. There have been 283 new positive COVID-19 cases reported in Saline County since December 21. The total number of positive cases for Saline County has risen to 4,032. The dramatic rise in cases being reported to Saline County officials can be attributed to free testing being broadly available. "More than 1,400 people were tested for COVID-19 during the free-testing events this week," said Jason Tiller, director of the Saline County Health Department. "This highlights the importance of being tested even if you are not experiencing symptoms, so you can take appropriate steps to not spread the virus to others." Visit <a href="http://GoGetTested.com/Kansas">GoGetTested.com/Kansas</a> to learn more about free testing. The Health Department staff are now actively monitoring 1,775 cases. At least 2,209 have recovered. Salina Regional Health Center notified us that they currently have 32 hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Our dashboard has been updated with the latest information: ●Mobile Device Users:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://arcg.is/yjPT1" target="_blank">https://arcg.is/yjPT1</a> ●Desktop Users:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://arcg.is/1qHnb0" target="_blank">https://arcg.is/1qHnb0</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 the FAQ section of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.saline.org/Coronavirus" target="_blank">https://www.saline.org/Coronavirus</a>&nbsp;for additional questions. However, 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. According to the Kansas Department of Health &amp; Environment, there are now 209,689 cases and 2,507 deaths statewide. This information can be found at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/" target="_blank">https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/</a>. Following the proven public health guidance to slow the spread of COVID-19 continues to be extremely important for everyone to do. Please: 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. 2. Maintain physical distance between yourself and others of at least 6 feet or more. 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. 4. By Public Health Order, gatherings are limited to 15 persons or less (with certain exceptions for establishments). 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. Only follow official sources to obtain information:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.saline.org/coronavirus%3Chttp://www.saline.org/coronavirus" target="_blank">www.saline.org/coronavirus</a>&nbsp;or <a href="http://www.kdheks.gov">www.kdheks.go</a>v.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Saline County: 1 additional death, 283 new COVID-19 cases