Riley County has 86 new positive cases and 39 additional recoveries since Wednesday’s report. Of the new cases, 59% are patients between the ages of 18-24.
Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan is caring for four positive patients and four persons under investigation (PUI) at this time. The patients have symptoms severe enough to require hospitalization and four of them (one positive and three PUIs) are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
“Cases are expected to continue increasing as we enter the winter flu season,” said Local Health Officer Julie Gibbs. “Please consider altering your usual holiday plans to keep safety at the forefront this year. Some examples of low-risk activities for Thanksgiving include having a dinner with only members of your household, having a virtual dinner with extended family and friends, or shopping online rather than in person for Black Friday.”
Additional information about safety practices and health guidelines for holiday celebrations is available on the CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.
“If you are planning to travel for the holidays, please consider getting tested the week before and the week after your visit,” said Gibbs. “Anyone who is experiencing symptoms should stay home.”
A total of 525 people participated in the free testing event at CiCo park yesterday.
RCHD will offer free testing every Thursday from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 -7:00 p.m. through the end of the year. No appointment is needed and anyone can participate. Please wear a mask and enter CiCo Park from the Kimball/Candlewood parking lot, then follow the signs to the barns near Pottorf Hall. Testing will be held each Thursday in all weather conditions, but will not be offered the weeks of Thanksgiving and Christmas. The Thursday, December 31 testing event will be held Wednesday, December 30 instead.
To get more information about testing, please contact a health care provider or call the Riley County Screening Line at 785-323-6400. The Screening Line is staffed by nurses and is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Riley County Statistics for Friday, November 6, 2020:
- Total positive cases in Riley County Residents: 2,397
- Total active: 192
- Total recovered: 2,193
- Total deaths: 12
- Total negative test results: 20,815