November 10, 2020
As of Nov. 10 Johnson County has:
17,623 positive cases of COVID-19 (increase of 404 since yesterday)
14.3% percent positive, 14-day average
608 incidence rate, number of new cases/100K persons, over prior 14 days, increase of 30 since yesterday)
236 deaths (1 additional deaths since yesterday)
146,205 individuals tested negative (increase of 1,059 since yesterday)
12,438 presumed recovered (increase of 91 since yesterday)
Positive cases represent those reported to the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment by physicians, private laboratories, hospitals and the Kansas Department of Health and Environmental Laboratories. Presumed Recovered are surviving individuals not hospitalized and more than 30 days since symptom onset. These numbers are not representative of the total number of individuals with COVID-19 in Johnson County. All data is provisional and subject to change.
NOTE: This e-newsletter will be provided Monday through Friday. Look for dashboard updates on Saturday and Sunday, by visiting jocogov.org/coronavirus, where information will be updated seven days per week, by 10 a.m.
JCDHE director provides COVID-19 update to the BOCC
On Tuesday, Nov. 10, Johnson County Department of Health and Environment Director Dr. Sanmi Areola provided a written update to the Board of County Commissioners.

Highlights from the briefing include:
  • There were 1,820 new infections last week - up from 1,251 the week prior. We are on track for an increase again this week.
  • This translates to an average of 260 new infections per day. This is more than twice what was our highest number for three months.
  • When calculated as a rate, we are at 303 cases per 100,000 residents per week. Our goal is <50 new infections per 100,000 residents.
  • Positivity rate is 14.3%. Our goal is 5%.
  • The primary measure/criteria for schools is the incidence rate. Our recommended phase for school gating criteria has been updated to the Red Zone.
  • As it gets colder, it is important to remain vigilant with wearing masks, physical distancing and avoiding large groups.
  • More infections mean more hospitalizations and our hospitals are at capacity.
  • The size of the group you are interacting with is not as important as behavior in practicing infection control.
NEW: JoCo on the Go podcast - latest on COVID-19, hear from Johnson County public health leaders - data, schools, vaccine, hospital rates, holiday gathering guidance
Johnson County community testing events tomorrow and Thursday
Johnson County Department of Health and Environment is partnering with local organizations and the Mid America Regional Council to provide expanded testing opportunities. As always, you can continue to get tested through the JCDHE drive-thru clinic. Here are the latest pop-up community testing events:

  • 2-5 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 11, First Baptist Church, Stilwell, 19950 Broadmoor Lane
  • 2:30-5 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 12, Hindu Temple of Kansas City, 6330 Lackman Rd., Shawnee

Details for both of these events: you are encouraged to get tested if you have symptoms, if you you've been exposed to someone with the virus or if you've been in a large crowd. These are drive-thru events, but you can walk up. Keep six feet distance and wear a mask. You must be 6 years or older to receive a test. Onsite registration is available, but pre-registration is encouraged. Register for these events on the Heart to Heart International website.
UPDATE: COVID-19 in Johnson County, in the news
Keeping the public informed of the county's response to COVID-19 is a high priority. In addition to this e-newsletter, be sure to also follow our local media outlets for additional information.

See below for a featured story of the day:

UPDATE: News from the state
On Tuesday, Nov. 10, Governor Laura Kelly and Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Lee Norman, MD, held a news conference to provide the latest information on the state's response to COVID-19.

Highlights from the briefing include:
  • She provided an update on efforts to increase mask participation across the state. She will provide additional details next week - including a public service campaign, testing strategy and masks.
  • Over the weekend, hospitalization spiked, and all hospitals are feeling strain - rural and urban areas. We run the risk of Kansans not receiving needed medical treatment if hospitals are further impacted by positive COVID-19 cases.
  • Availability of staffed beds is much more important than just knowing the capacity of hospitals. Staffing is a challenge because some medical staff are either infected or are awaiting test results.
  • Flu vaccination is vital right now, to minimize flu-related hospitalizations.

UPDATE: University of Kansas Health System offers daily update on regional health care response
The University of Kansas Health System provides daily updates on how COVID-19 is impacting our health care system and community. Chief Medical Officer Steve Stites, MD, and Dana Hawkinson, MD, medical director of Infection Prevention and Control, with The University of Kansas Health System and special guests talk about the fight against COVID-19.

Tune in at 8 a.m., Monday through Friday, on Facebook.

On the Tuesday, Nov. 10 edition, while fighting cancer, patient Kari Rawley learned she caught COVID-19. She shared what it was like to suspend her chemotherapy treatments to fight the virus. Her medical oncologist Lauren Nye, MD, talked about the added challenges and concerns for cancer patients who have COVID-19.

Highlights from the briefing include:
  • Initial criteria of dispensing vaccine will be people over age 65 or with a BMI of 35+.
  • Any suggestion of holding a COVID-19 party is dangerous. It will cause infections and deaths to skyrocket.
  • Kari and several members of her family contracted coronavirus when she hosted an indoor/outdoor going away party for her daughter with more 20 close and trusted friends. Five days later she learned that one of the guests tested positive. The day after that, Kari thought her allergies were kicking in. 
  • Should the hospitals become overwhelmed they slow down transfers from outside, perform no elective surgeries, discharge patients as early as they safely can. They also employ traveling nurses and PRNs.
  • There is a lot of hope on the horizon with a vaccine and treatments, but this will be a challenging winter, so it’s important to remain optimistic and do everything you can to stay safe.
  • The COVID-19 Event Risk Assessment Planning Tool is a collaborative project led by Prof. Joshua Weitz and Prof. Clio Andris at the Georgia Institute of Technology, along with researchers at the Applied Bioinformatics Laboratory and Stanford University, and powered by RStudio.
Additional resources to stop the spread of COVID-19
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REOPENING SCHOOLS
The Johnson County Department of Health and Environment released on Oct. 1, public health recommendations for K-12 schools to help families and school districts make decisions about the reopening of schools in Johnson County. Read the recommendations. Read school reopening FAQs.

WORKPLACE GUIDANCE FOR EMPLOYERS
COVID-19 in the Workplace: A guide for employers includes steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at work, concentrating on the rules of infection control and what to do when a case of COVID-19 occurs in the workplace.

ENFORCEMENT OF MASK MANDATE
If you are seeking enforcement of the Governor's mask order, contact the consumer fraud hotline at the District Attorney's Office, 913-715-3003. DO NOT CALL 911.

MASK USE

WHAT IF I GET SICK

WHO TO CALL WITH QUESTIONS ABOUT COVID-19
Call the Johnson County COVID-19 hotline at 913-715-CV19 (2819), 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, Spanish language available through same number. You can also call the Kansas Department of Health and Environment at 877-427-7317, after business hours. You can email questions to covid-19@ks.gov or use a chat bot at kdheks.gov/coronavirus.

TRAVEL-RELATED QUARANTINE

VISIT OUR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
We have a webpage for the common questions surrounding COVID-19.
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