There are currently eleven (11) positive cases of coronavirus in Riley County. There are no positive Riley County patients being treated at Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan at this time. The two (2) patients who were hospitalized have been released to continue recovery in isolation at their homes. There are 28 tests pending and 22 additional people who are being monitored by the Riley County Health Department (RCHD).
All of the positive cases in Riley County are still associated with travel outside of the community.
One of the most recent cases, which is travel related, is a student living on campus at Kansas State University. The patient has been in isolation in the Jardine Apartments on the Manhattan campus since March 23 when that person notified K-State health staff of their symptoms.
The university acted immediately when learning of this information, and under strict protocols, moved the individual to isolate in Jardine. For a few days prior to that, the person had self-quarantined in a suite-style Marlatt residence hall room with a private bathroom after returning from out-of-state. No other residents were in the suite during this time.
Lafene Health Center and Riley County Health Department acted quickly and have followed protocols aimed at preventing the spread of the virus and protecting the community. Lafene Health Center and other K-State staff have been communicating with the person on a consistent basis and have initiated contact tracing.
“K-State is taking all of the necessary steps to preserve safety for their staff and students,” said Local Health Officer Julie Gibbs. “They took action early, kept the student in isolation, and continue to follow guidelines from the Riley County Health Department and the CDC.”
Today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated advice about the wearing of cloth masks in areas where COVID-19 has reached widespread community transmission. Instructions for making and wearing cloth masks is available on the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.