Stories from Tuesday, March 24, 2020

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment Services has released the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Kansas.

As she discussed during a press conference Monday, Governor Laura Kelly on Tuesday issued Executive Order #20-14 limiting mass gatherings in Kansas to 10 persons, which replaced the previous order limiting mass gatherings to 50 persons. The decision was based on updated guidance from the White House Coronavirus Task Force, and modeling from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) that projected cases of COVID-19 in Kansas could sharply rise to a range of 300 to 900 by the end of the month.. ...

Bourbon County Health Department officials reported Sunday evening a Bourbon County, resident has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19). The testing was confirmed Sunday afternoon through the Kansas Department Health and Environment laboratory in Topeka...

Bourbon County Public Health Officer Becky Johnson issued an order Sunday night restricting or prohibiting businesses activities in Bourbon Cunty for all non-essential businesses and making recommendatinos for essential business functions. Essential Businesses...

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kansas WIC program will continue to operate. WIC is the nutrition program for low-income pregnant women, infants, and children from birth to age five, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). All current Kansas WIC participants will continue to receive benefits, and new applicants will be assessed, certified and issued benefits. ...

Ascension Via Christi's hospitals continue to receive calls from individuals and companies wanting to donate unused personal protection equipment by temporarily closed companies wanting to put items to good use. "The generosity and supportive nature of those who live in our community is amazing," Randy Cason, president of Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, said. "We are extremely grateful for our community’s kindness and for everyone else stepping up to help."...

The VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System, which includes the Dwight D. Eisenhower VA Medical Center, the Colmery-O’Neil VA Medical Center and its eight rural community-based clinics, has implemented increased precautions and procedures to protect veteran patient population, staff, and visitors...

USD 235 Superintendent Bret Howard on Monday updated district patrons on the district’s plans moving forward during the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. Due to a recent confirmed positive test result for COVID-19 in Bourbon County, Howard said, “At this time, we have no immediate plans to bring students back into our buildings in small group settings.”...

The COVID-19 situation is challenging each of us in different ways. For the staff at Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, “business as usual” has always meant constantly trying to improve and find new and better ways to care for our patients...

Bourbon County Commissioners met Tuesday morning to amend the pay schedule for employees when an emergency declaration is issued. During a special meeting Monday, commissioners voted to keep the courthouse closed to the public until April 5. The courthouse was closed to the public beginning March 17 in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic...