December 2020
Help us Win: Celebrate Christmas Creatively
I am taking a little risk by expounding on smatterings of good news. By the time you read this, the numbers might change trajectory. Nevertheless, I do think we should recognize good news when we see it.

Before Thanksgiving, we heard pleas from leaders everywhere asking us to help slow the spread of COVID by reducing our gatherings. We love the holidays with all their social gatherings of course but many of us chose to help by doing things differently and creatively this year…and it shows.
The fear was that we would see a spike in COVID cases resulting is an influx of critical patients to the over-burdened medical system. Thankfully, those fears appear to have been adverted somewhat. The latest hospital numbers have not risen but have marginally taped downward, just a little. That is good.
I also study what I call the “Infectious Rate” which is simply a 2-week rolling total number of people that have contracted the virus. The infectious rate is back down to where it was about a month ago. That trend line peaked about a week before Thanksgiving. That is good.

There are other good things to consider. Governor Kelly intends for the majority of the Kansas population to have an opportunity for inoculation before the summer. With that, we should see some welcome help for those healthcare providers. Secondly, the weather will warm up and the daylight will extend so people will spend more time outdoors. I hope that this combination along with the vaccinations will get us very close to an endpoint. That is great.

Let me commend this community, you are doing a great job. We have never been through a pandemic before. Our greatest challenges are cold weather and holiday gatherings but we have already proven that we can win. The leaders that warned us about Thanksgiving gatherings did say however, that Christmas would have more risk than Thanksgiving. That is because the holiday lasts longer and people stay longer.

To borrow some football analogy, halftime is over. The game has become more challenging than we would like but we are winning. We heard early on that this COVID pandemic would overwhelm us if we were not careful. We made many strategic plays and we are making first downs. We have scored some points. Our opponent is strong, our defense is tired and our offense is running out of ideas. We have some big players to contend with but we think we can outsmart them. Be encouraged because we appear to be winning. Soon, we will claim the victory and we can talk about it for the rest of our lives.

Let us celebrate Christmas differently this year. If you want to help us win through this Christmas season, give the gift that says we care so deeply for others that we celebrate creatively and responsibly.
December 30, 2020 COVID-19 Report
Comparing case counts from Monday to today:
  • The United States of America case count increased from 19,161,619 to 19,615,360 (+ 2.37 percent).
  • Today, the State of Kansas case count increased 2.95 percent, from 216,062 to 222,433. 
  • In Sedgwick County, case counts increased from 30,521 to 31,374 (+ 2.79 percent). 

The Sedgwick County Health Department offers no-cost, walk-in sampling at the K-State Research and Extension Center, 7001 W. 21st St. Walk-ins are welcome from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Follow the signs to the southern entrance facing 21st St.

The Health Department takes a nasal, oral, or saliva sample to send to a lab for COVID-19 PCR testing. Results are generally available within 18 to 36 hours. The results of the virus test show whether a person has a current infection. This is not an antibody test.

Visit www.sedgwickcounty.org/covid-19 to learn more about the County’s response to COVID-19.
Vaccination Clinic Scheduled for Sedgwick County Health Care Workers
Beginning this week, health care associated workers (HCAW) in Sedgwick County who have not yet received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine will be able to schedule an appointment online throughout the next two weeks. Appointment times will start Tuesday, December 29 according to the HCAW schedule (image below).

Appointments should be made on the day of your corresponding HCAW group or after. Do not schedule an appointment on a day prior to your HCAW group.

The Sedgwick County Health Department is proud to partner with our local community clinics to provide the COVID-19 vaccine for local HCAW at INTRUST Bank Arena (Entrance C), 500 E. Waterman St., Wichita 67202. On Saturday, January 2, there will be a vaccine clinic at the Health Department’s main clinic, 2716 W. Central, Wichita 67203.


Please direct questions about the vaccine or the vaccine schedule to (316) 660-1022.

This schedule is based on vaccine availability and may be modified based on vaccine supply.

The County is following guidance from federal and state governments as it develops and implements the COVID-19 vaccination schedule. As more vaccine is received, more people will be vaccinated following CDC and KDHE guidelines. The vaccination schedule is designed to assure that all who want to be vaccinated will have that opportunity. The implementation of the vaccination schedule is dependent on the manufacturing and distribution schedule from vaccine providers.
COVID-19 Relief Bill Signed, Allows More Time to Spend CARES Funding
Since President Trump signed the COVID-19 relief bill, entities who received CARES funding now have more flexibility to report expenses, into 2021.

Commissioners approved an updated spending plan to exhaust all internal CARES funding by the close of 2020.
Battle of the Badges Blood Drive
Every December, the American Red Cross hosts a Battle of the Badges Blood Drive to boost needed blood donations. This year’s blood drive competition runs from Monday, December 21 to Saturday, January 2.

People who donate blood receive a t-shirt and vote for their favorite public safety agency: fire, law enforcement, EMS, or Emergency Management.

Fire won last year; who will you support this year? Schedule your appointment here: http://rcblood.org/2JK1q2z.
‘Tis the Season for Christmas Tree Recycling
Spread your Christmas Cheer! After you’ve enjoyed your tree, take it to one of many locations throughout Sedgwick County beginning December 21 and ending January 24, 2021. While you are there, help yourself to FREE mulch. Thank you for helping us make less trash!

Click here to view a full list of locations: https://www.sedgwickcounty.org/environment/. 

For more information, please call (316) 660-7200.

Contact Commissioner Jim Howell: 
316-660-9300
525 N. Main, Ste 320, Wichita, KS 67203