Riley County Health reports new positive COVID-19 outbreak

   Riley County has 27 new positive cases and 16 additional recoveries since the last report on Wednesday, October 21.

Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan has no positive patients at this time.

A new outbreak has been identified in Riley County and two have expired, bringing the active total to seven. A wedding that occurred in Riley County on October 17 has a total of 22 positive cases. RCHD contact tracing staff are calling all known close contacts in Riley County, but most guests were residents of other counties. The newlyweds have contacted all wedding guests to inform them of the outbreak.  

Anyone who has symptoms, is a close contact of a positive patient, or would like information about how to get tested should contact their 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.

If you have had close contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19, you are required to quarantine for 14 days after the last time you were in close contact with that person. This requirement is in place even if you test negative for COVID-19 during the quarantine period.

“Close contacts cannot test out of quarantine,” said Local Health Officer Julie Gibbs “Even if you test negative at an early point during the 14-day period, you need to stay home and complete the quarantine. The virus typically develops between 6-10 days after exposure, but can take up to 14 days in some patients.”

For people living in the same household, only the person who had close contact with a positive patient is required to quarantine. You should stay away from the person in quarantine as much as possible, and avoid sharing sleeping quarters and bathrooms. If symptoms develop, seek medical attention and follow the recommendations of your doctor.

Quarantine is used to keep someone who might have bee