New COVID-19 cases are identified in Riley County

  (RILEY COUNTY, KS – July 21, 2021) Riley County Health Department has identified 64 new positive Coronavirus cases and 70 additional recoveries since the last report on July 14. Since December, there have been a total of 61 positive cases from variants of concern. 

Nine COVID-positive patients, all unvaccinated, are currently under care at Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan. One patient is in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). 

According to the Director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Dr. Anthony Fauci, nationwide 99% of recent deaths were among the unvaccinated. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr, Rochelle Walensky, has said because the vaccine is so effective "nearly every death, especially among adults, due to COVID-19, is, at this point, entirely preventable.”

Through a partnership with the Manhattan Regional Airport and RADxUP, a National Institutes of Health-funded program, COVID-19 saliva-based testing will be available to those traveling into and out of Manhattan Regional Airport effective immediately.  

Testing will be offered at the airport from 10 am-3 pm, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. 

“We recommend if you are traveling, take your mask with you. Study the area where you are traveling to and see what their requirements are. If you are traveling abroad be sure that you determine what kind of test you may need,” said Riley County Health Department Director Julie Gibbs.

Results from the tests typically take 72 hours to receive so, please take this time frame into account and plan to test in advance of travel, when possible.

Testing will be provided free of charge, and no insurance is needed. An ID will be required. For more information, please call 785-565-6558.