Six new postive COVID-19 cases are reported in Riley County

   Riley County Health Department has received notice of six new positive patients since Friday’s report. The total for the county is now 80, with 16 active cases. Five of the new patients are men, ages 21, 22, 28, 37, and 61. One patient is a woman, age 19. None of these new patients are associated with the outbreak at Leonardville Nursing Home.

The staff at Leonardville Nursing Home are following all guidance provided by RCHD, CMS, and CDC, and are continuing to follow infection control protocols. All residents and staff members will be re-tested this week. Five people tested positive last week.

“Supplies for the second round of testing for Leonardville Nursing Home residents and staff were delivered to the facility this morning, and specimens will be sent to the state lab tomorrow,” said Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Andrew Adams.

Staff at the Riley County Health Department reported that patients have been visiting more places in the community prior to symptom onset. If there is an outbreak with five or more positive cases associated with any location in Riley County, that info will be shared with the public. Riley County is trending upward overall, and most of the new patients are between the ages of 18-34.

“Young people are not immune to the disease,” said Adams. “We all need to take personal responsibility for the health and safety of our community by following good hygiene practices and limiting contact with the public. This could be the new normal for a long time to come. The old way of doing things is gone, at least for now.”

Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan has 1 positive patient who is also on a ventilator, and 1 Person Under Investigation currently hospitalized. A PUI is a person who has symptoms of COVID-19 and is waiting for test results.