Riley County Local Health Officer Julie Gibbs issued Local Health Order No. 15 today. This order will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. Monday, July 20 and will remain in effect for 10 days, until 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, July 30, or until amended, superseded, or rescinded.
The restrictions for bars and restaurants will remain the same. Bars and restaurants are required to close by midnight and screen each employee prior to their shift. The gathering size will continue to be limited to 50 people, and large venues will remain closed.
Order 15 requires all businesses and locations to comply with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) “Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers Responding to Coronavirus Disease 2019” at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.html as well as industry-specific guidance from trade groups.
Read the order at https://www.rileycountyks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/19177/Riley-County-Local-Health-Order-15
"Local data will continue to determine the actions needed in Riley County," said Local Health Officer Julie Gibbs. "The rate of new positive cases has begun to slow, and we are watching the outbreak situation at Meadowlark Hills Retirement Community very closely. If additional restrictions are needed to protect the community and prevent the healthcare system from being overwhelmed, we will issue a new order before July 30.”
Ascension Via Christi Hospital now has 3 positive patients and 2 PUI patients. A PUI is a Person Under Investigation, someone who has symptoms and is waiting for test results. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment identified an outbreak at Meadowlark Hills Retirement Community earlier today. A total of 8 staff members and residents have tested positive.
“The health department has been in contact with Meadowlark Hills staff and are working together to respond to this outbreak,” said RCHD Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Andrew Adams. “We will provide updates to the public as information becomes available, but we will not identify any patients.”
Social distancing practices should also continue:
- Maintain at least 6-ft of distance.
- Wash hands with soap and water for at least twenty seconds as frequently as possible (or using hand sanitizer).
- Cover nose and mouth with a cloth mask in public situations where social distancing is difficult to maintain (such as in stores).
- Cover coughs or sneezes (into the sleeve or elbow, not into the hands).
- People in high-risk categories are advised to continue taking extra precautions and to limit their contact with the public.