1 Death and 57 New Positive Cases in Riley County

Riley County health officials have announced that a 69-year-old unvaccinated man from Riley County died November 25 after testing positive for COVID-19 on November 24. His passing represents the 65th COVID-related death in Riley County since the start of the pandemic. 

Riley County has identified 57 new COVID-19 cases and 73 additional recoveries since the last report on Wednesday, November 24, 2021. There are currently 100 active cases in Riley County.

Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan is caring for eight COVID-positive patients at this time. Seven of the hospitalized patients are unvaccinated and four of the patients are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

“Thankfully, the percent positive in Riley County continues to be low and I encourage anyone with symptoms to get a COVID test,” said Local Health Officer Julie Gibbs. “Testing is widely available and results come in quickly. Anyone who wants to get tested should contact the Health Department, call their medical provider, or visit KDHE’s drive-through testing site at Manhattan Town Center.”

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) offers free drive-through testing Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Manhattan Town Center parking lot on the north side near Leavenworth St. This site offers the nasal swab PCR test only.

The Riley County Health Department will continue to offer rapid testing (antigen) for symptomatic individuals. Please call (785)323-6400 to schedule free testing through the health department.

“The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified Omicron as a highly transmissible variant of concern, though its actual risks are not yet understood,” said Gibbs. “Early evidence suggests the Omicron variant poses an increased risk that people who have already had COVID-19 could catch it again. No cases of the Omicron variant have been identified in Riley County.”