State health secretary Lee Norman at a press conference Saturday confirming the first known case of Covid-19 coronavirus in Kansas. (Photo by Jim McLean, Kansas News Service)
by Jim McLean, Kansas News Service
Topeka, Kansas — Kansas has its first case of the new coronavirus, officials announced Saturday.
The Johnson County woman infected with the virus appears to have contracted her illness while traveling in the northeastern United States, state and local public health officials said at a Statehouse news conference early Saturday evening. She was tested earlier this week for COVID-19.
Although the woman marks the first confirmed case of coronavirus in Kansas, she was among 80 people in Kansas being monitored for the infection. Most are being monitored because they traveled to other countries where the virus is spreading most quickly.
“There is currently no evidence of widespread transmission of Covid-19 in Johnson County or the Kansas City metro area,” said Mary Beverly, the interim director of the Johnson County Health Department. “The risk to residents remains low. However, this situation is evolving and remains subject to change.”
Using testing approved by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the results of the test on the Johnson County woman were presumed positive. Now the CDC will double-check that diagnosis with its own testing.
The woman remains isolated at her home, while the Kansas Department of Health and Environment works with local officials to track whom she may have had contact with. The only description given of the patient is her gender and that she is younger than 50 years old.
“We feel very confident she’s going to go ahead and isolate herself at home,” Beverly said.
The woman developed symptoms consistent with Covid-19 on March 1, and went to a doctor the next day or the day after.
“This individual did everything right. When symptoms started, they used a mask and then self-isolated,” Beverly said. Masks can be effective when worn by infected people to stop spreading the virus to others. But mask wearers do not get much protection. “They notified their physician before going into the doctor’s office so that others would not be infected.”
Kansas health officials said earlier this week that the state’s lab could test up to 60 samples a day and have results back in a few hours. The new case comes as the United States is seeing an increasing number of confirmed cases as testing ramps up.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s U.S. count is more than 150 cases in about half of U.S. states, with more than 10 deaths; The New York Times reported more than 350 cases with 19 deaths. COVID-19 has sickened more than 105,000 people worldwide, and more than 3,500 people have died.
State health officials said the scale of the spread of the virus meant Kansas was bound to see a case.
“We predicted this. And here we are,” KDHE Secretary Lee Norman said. “So, not a great surprise and we’re taking it all in stride.”
State officials say they are monitoring people in the state who recently traveled to coronavirus hotspots China or South Korea. Norman said Italy could soon be added to that list.
COVID-19 symptoms include fever, cough and trouble breathing. The symptoms are usually mild, though more severe symptoms may include pneumonia, which can be fatal.
Federal and state health officials say the best ways to prevent getting sick from the virus are to thoroughly wash your hands, cover your coughs and stay home from work or school if you are sick.
KDHE has a website dedicated to information about COVID-19, http://www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus/ .
Gov. Laura Kelly said Saturday there is little reason for people to worry about a confirmed case appearing in Kansas.
“No one should panic over this new virus or this confirmed case,” said Gov. Laura Kelly. “Kansas still is considered at low risk for spread of the virus.”
Jim McLean is the senior correspondent for the Kansas News Service is a collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public Radio, KMUW and High Plains Public Radio focused on health, the social determinants of health and their connection to public policy. You can reach him on Twitter @jmcleanks or email jim (at) kcur (dot) org.
Kansas News Service stories and photos may be republished by news media at no cost with proper attribution and a link to ksnewsservice.org. See more at https://www.kcur.org/post/first-case-coronavirus-kansas-confirmed-johnson-county
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is confirming its first presumptive-positive case of COVID-19 in Kansas, according to a news release from the governor’s office.
The case is in Johnson County, according to state officials. The possible case was identified today with testing sent to KDHE’s Kansas Health and Environmental Laboratories (KHEL). KHEL, which is approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to perform COVID-19 testing, found presumptive-positive results this afternoon. These results will be verified by the CDC lab but will be treated as positive unless determined otherwise.
“Kansas has been prepared for positive cases of novel coronavirus and will continue to work alongside local and federal public health partners in addressing the potential spread of the virus,” Gov. Laura Kelly said. “It is our main priority to keep Kansans healthy and safe. We want Kansans educated on all aspects related to COVID-19.”
The case is located in Johnson County and the patient is currently in home isolation, following the guidance of the CDC, authorities stated. KDHE continues to work with the local health department and CDC to identify and contact people who may have come into contact with the individual while they were infectious, and will monitor them for fever and respiratory symptoms. The patient is a female under the age of 50 years old. No other information will be provided about the patient.
“We continue to monitor the situation closely. In the meantime, the general public can help. Please practice proper public health hygiene,” Dr. Lee Norman, secretary of KDHE, said. “Wash your hands and stay home if you’re sick.”
On March 4, Gov. Kelly announced the administration’s robust, comprehensive preparedness plan in the event of a positive test result.
Under Gov. Kelly’s direction, KDHE and KDEM are:
• in constant communication with local hospitals and health departments, coordinating with local, state and federal public health partners;
• preparing for emergency management situations on a regular basis, with staff who have decades of experience in developing responses and preventative measures for any situation;
• continuing to work with federal, state and local partners to maintain awareness of national and international COVID-19 trends and strategies.
The 2019 novel coronavirus infections initially were diagnosed in Wuhan City, China and have been reported in 60 locations internationally, including the United States. There are a number of unknowns with the virus, including how long people are considered contagious. KDHE, along with our community partners, continues to investigate this illness. Treatment for individuals with confirmed cases is supportive care.
If you have recently traveled to China, Iran, Italy, Japan and South Korea and have developed fever with lower respiratory symptoms including cough and shortness of breath within 14 days of your travel, or have had contact with someone with a laboratory-confirmed case of COVID-19, stay home and call your health care provider, a spokesman stated. You may also call the KDHE phone bank at 1-866-534-3463 (1-866-KDHEINF) today, Saturday, March 7, from 6-8 p.m. and on Sunday, March 8, from 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
For more information about COVID-19, visit KDHE’s website and Frequently Asked Questions at www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus/ and www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/ .
Additional resources
This situation is constantly evolving and changing. For the most up-to-date information, please use the following links from KDHE and the CDC:
• Kansas Department of Health and Environment
• COVID-19 FAQs
• COVID-19 Toolkit
• COVID-19 Hospital Preparedness Assessment Tool
• COVID-19 Healthcare Professional Preparedness Checklist for Transport and Arrival of Patients Potentially Infected with COVID-19
• Interim Guidance for Child Care Facilities Licensed by the KDHE
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• What you should know
• Symptoms
• Prevention
• Specific guidelines for travelers
The Unified Government Health Department has a flier on COVID-19, the coronavirus disease 2019. (UG flier) The Unified Government Health Department has a flier on COVID-19, the coronavirus disease 2019. (UG flier)
There are no confirmed cases of COVID-19, coronavirus disease 2019, in Wyandotte County or in Kansas, according to local and state officials.
The UG Health Department, state and regional partners are continuing to monitor COVID-19, according to Dave Reno, a spokesman for the Unified Government.
The role of public health agencies includes monitoring travel from areas affected by COVID-19, he stated.
Public health agencies, including the UG Health Department, already have plans in place to address outbreaks of communicable diseases, according to Reno. They are working with partners to review the plans and ensure the community is prepared in light of the COVID-19 situation, he stated.
The best way for the community to stay up to date on COVID-19 is to look at information from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment at kdheks.gov/coronavirus and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cdc.gov/COVID19, Reno stated.
A spokesman for the Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools, Edwin Birch, said that the school district is following the guidelines of the UG Health Department in dealing with this, and the UG Health Department is following guidelines from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
“Our plan is to work closely in contact with them, follow the rules and guidelines,” Birch said.
U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-3rd Dist., supported funding for a response to the coronovirus. She issued a statement Wednesday:
“It’s essential that we have a coordinated, well-resourced government response to the coronavirus to keep Kansas communities safe,” Rep. Davids said in the statement. “That’s why I worked with my House colleagues to quickly pass a strong, bipartisan funding package that addresses the scale and severity of the public health crisis.
“This package will fully fund a robust response to coronavirus, including vaccine and treatment development, support for state, local and tribal governments – which are our first line of defense – and assistance for affected small businesses,” Rep. Davids stated. “Importantly, it helps to prevent price-gouging and ensures that vaccines and treatments for coronavirus are affordable and accessible.”
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly on Wednesday outlined a comprehensive preparedness plan for COVID-19, according to a statement from the governor’s office.
“There are no confirmed cases in Kansas, but we are prepared,” Kelly said in a news release. “Currently, in Kansas, the overall risk of the virus is low, but that does not mean we can rest easy. We take this situation seriously. We can and will remain ready to respond swiftly and effectively, should the virus spread to Kansas.”
The Kelly administration is working closely with federal, state and local partners to maintain awareness of national and international trends related to the virus, according to a statement from Gov. Kelly. KDHE currently is working on Kansas-specific guidance, based on information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to help local communities continue their preparedness efforts.
Under Gov. Kelly’s direction, KDHE and the Kansas Division of Emergency Management are:
• in constant communication with local hospitals and health departments, coordinating with local, state and federal public health partners;
• preparing for emergency management situations on a regular basis, with staff who have decades of experience in developing responses and preventative measures for any situation;
• continuing to work with federal, state and local partners to maintain awareness of national and international COVID-19 trends and strategies.
“The health and safety of every Kansan is our top priority and we are utilizing every tool at our disposal to continue monitoring the situation and ensure that we are ready to respond should that be necessary,” Kelly said. “The best way to protect yourself, your family and your friends against contracting the virus is to use good hygiene practices like washing your hands, coughing into your sleeve, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth and stay home if you’re not feeling well. It’s simple, but effective.”
Kansas has tested a few suspected cases of coronavirus, with no positive results as of today, according to the governor’s news release.
“Our KDHE lab now has the capability to test for cases of COVID-19, which will expedite the test results,” Dr. Lee Norman, KDHE secretary, said. “That means our state can respond quickly and effectively. Make no mistake — our team is experienced. They are highly trained and prepared to keep Kansans safe.”
The Kansas Health and Environmental Laboratories facility, in Topeka, was one of the first in the country to be certified by the CDC to test for COVID-19. When there is a “Person Under Investigation,” KDHE coordinates with the local health department and other stakeholders such as hospitals and clinicians to help coordinate sample collection and shipping to the KDHE Lab, which cuts the testing time for suspected cases down from days to hours.
The adjutant general outlined KDEM’s preparedness efforts as part of a coordinated state response.
“We stand ready to support county emergency managers for resources and technical assistance when needed,” Kansas Adjutant Gen. Lee Tafanelli, director of the Kansas Division of Emergency Management, said in the news release. “We have been coordinating, planning and participating in briefings with local, state and federal partners on a daily basis. We stand ready to respond.”
Symptoms of coronavirus
Symptoms may include fever, cough, shortness of breath, according to state information. These symptoms can develop 2-14 days after exposure. The symptoms can range from mild to severe – and in rare cases, have resulted in death.
If you have recently traveled to areas including China, Iran, Italy, Japan and South Korea and have developed fever with lower respiratory symptoms including cough and shortness of breath within 14 days of your travel or have had contact with someone with a laboratory-confirmed case of COVID-19, stay home and call your healthcare provider. You may also call the KDHE phone hotline number.
KDHE hotline number: 1-866-534-3463 (1-866-KDHEINF)
Prevention
There is no current vaccine for COVID-19. However, there are ways to prevent the spread of this disease.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Cough into your sleeve and sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using regular household cleaning products.
• Stay home when you are sick.
Additional resources
This situation is constantly evolving and changing, according to officials. For the most up-to-date information, use the following links from KDHE and the CDC:
• Kansas Department of Health and Environment, http://www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus/index.htm
• COVID-19 FAQs, http://www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus/download/Novel_coronavirus_FAQ.pdf
• COVID-19 Toolkit, http://www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus/toolkit/COVID-19_Toolkit.pdf
• COVID-19 Hospital Preparedness Assessment Tool, http://www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus/toolkit/COVID-19_Hospital_Prep_Assessment_Tool.pdf
• COVID-19 Healthcare Professional Preparedness Checklist for Transport and Arrival of Patients Potentially Infected with COVID-19, http://www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus/toolkit/Healthcare_Checklist_for_trans_and_arrival_of_patients.pdf
• Interim Guidance for Child Care Facilities Licensed by the KDHE, http://www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus/toolkit/Interim_Guidance_for_Child_Care_Facilities_Licensed_by_KDHE.pdf
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/summary.html
• What you should know, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html
• Symptoms, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/symptoms.html
• Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention-treatment.html
• Specific guidelines for travelers, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html
