Crystal Malchrose
This is an informational feature supported by the Pottawatomie County Commission to assist in providing educational information regarding the COVID-19 virus to citizens.
Travel Quarantine/Isolation
The State of Kansas reviews travel and exposure risks for the COVID-19 virus not only in Kansas, but around the world. In locations where positive test results, an increase in hospitalizations and/or deaths is seen, citizens are notified to quarantine for 14 days if they recently visited any of those locations. This helps prevent the potential spread of the virus, if the person was exposed to COVID during travels, whether or not symptoms are evident.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) updates the information approximately every two weeks. The latest update occurred Tuesday, November 17, 2020, and a couple states were removed from the travel quarantine list, and a couple others were added, along with some countries.
“The removal of states from our list isn’t cause for celebration,” said Dr. Lee Norman, KDHE Secretary. “We base our list on new case rates by population size and unfortunately, Kansas’ numbers are increasing significantly. Practice social distancing, wear a mask, stay home if you’re sick, and avoid large gatherings. Each one of us is responsible for our actions.”
KDHE uses a formula to evaluate new cases over a two-week period, adjusts for population size to provide a case rate per 100,000 population. This number is then compared to the rate in Kansas. States with significantly higher rates -- approximately 3x higher -- are added to the list.
Currently, North and South Dakota are on the list, as well as the countries of Andorra, Belgium, and Czechia. For more information visit the KDHE website https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/175/Travel-Exposure-Related-Isolation-Quaran or contact KDHE at 1-866-534-3463 (1-866-KDHEINF) Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.