The Ellis County Health Department on Wednesday reported the average number of new coronavirus cases per day in the last seven days fell from 31 on Monday to 22 on Wednesday.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/c57b0ee6-7e92-4319-a7ed-3a0947cc8375">RELATED:&nbsp;Ellis Co. Health Department announces expanded drive-through testing</a>

There were 71 new cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County since Monday. There are currently 432 active cases in the county, including 19 active hospitalizations of 19 Ellis County residents — up 10 since Monday. There have been 2,318 recovered cases.

As of Wednesday, there were 33 COVID-19 inpatients at HaysMed, up from 28 on Tuesday, with 29 of those active patients and four in the recovery phase.

The seven-day average of percent of positive tests fell slightly to 27.9 percent.

Since reporting began, there have been 2,778 cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County, including 28 coronavirus-related deaths.

Of the total 14,456 tests administered, 18.1 percent have returned positive for COVID-19.

NOTE:&nbsp;"New cases" reflects cases reported by the Ellis County Health Department between regular reporting periods of Monday, Wednesday and Friday. "Total cases" reflects all cases reported by the department. Because of delayed test results, total cases might include cases prior to the previous reporting period, so the figures might not necessarily correspond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607537870829.png" alt="KDHE" />
 <figcaption>KDHE</figcaption>
 </figure>The Ellis County Health Department on Wednesday reported the average number of new coronavirus cases per day in the last seven days fell from 31 on Monday to 22 on Wednesday.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/c57b0ee6-7e92-4319-a7ed-3a0947cc8375">RELATED:&nbsp;Ellis Co. Health Department announces expanded drive-through testing</a>There were 71 new cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County since Monday. There are currently 432 active cases in the county, including 19 active hospitalizations of 19 Ellis County residents — up 10 since Monday. There have been 2,318 recovered cases.As of Wednesday, there were 33 COVID-19 inpatients at HaysMed, up from 28 on Tuesday, with 29 of those active patients and four in the recovery phase.The seven-day average of percent of positive tests fell slightly to 27.9 percent.Since reporting began, there have been 2,778 cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County, including 28 coronavirus-related deaths.Of the total 14,456 tests administered, 18.1 percent have returned positive for COVID-19.NOTE:&nbsp;"New cases" reflects cases reported by the Ellis County Health Department between regular reporting periods of Monday, Wednesday and Friday. "Total cases" reflects all cases reported by the department. Because of delayed test results, total cases might include cases prior to the previous reporting period, so the figures might not necessarily correspond.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607549779191.png" alt="" />
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 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Rnw0R-SGsnA"></iframe>
 <figcaption>Sponsored</figcaption>
 </figure>

Per-day virus rate falls in Ellis Co.; 71 new cases reported

The Ellis County Health Department on Monday reported the average number of new coronavirus cases per day in the last seven days increased again from 26 on Friday to 31 on Monday.

There were 77 new cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County since Friday. There are currently 413 active cases, including nine active hospitalizations of Ellis County residents, and 2,266 recovered cases.&nbsp;

As of Monday, there were 25 COVID-19 inpatients at HaysMed, down from 33 on Friday, with 20 of those active patients and five in the recovery phase.

The seven-day average of percent of positive tests rose slightly to 29.8 percent.

Since reporting began, there have been 2,707 cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County, including 28 coronavirus-related deaths.

Of the total 14,293 tests administered, 17.8 percent have returned positive for COVID-19.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607364440320.png" alt="KDHE" />
 <figcaption>KDHE</figcaption>
 </figure>The Ellis County Health Department on Monday reported the average number of new coronavirus cases per day in the last seven days increased again from 26 on Friday to 31 on Monday.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/c57b0ee6-7e92-4319-a7ed-3a0947cc8375">RELATED:&nbsp;Ellis Co. Health Department announces expanded drive-through testing</a>There were 77 new cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County since Friday. There are currently 413 active cases, including nine active hospitalizations of Ellis County residents, and 2,266 recovered cases.&nbsp;As of Monday, there were 25 COVID-19 inpatients at HaysMed, down from 33 on Friday, with 20 of those active patients and five in the recovery phase.The seven-day average of percent of positive tests rose slightly to 29.8 percent.Since reporting began, there have been 2,707 cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County, including 28 coronavirus-related deaths.Of the total 14,293 tests administered, 17.8 percent have returned positive for COVID-19.NOTE:&nbsp;"New cases" reflects cases reported by the Ellis County Health Department between regular reporting periods of Monday, Wednesday and Friday. "Total cases" reflects all cases reported by the department. Because of delayed test results, total cases might include cases prior to the previous reporting period, so the figures might not necessarily correspond.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607370658125.png" alt="" />
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 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Rnw0R-SGsnA"></iframe>
 <figcaption>Sponsored</figcaption>
 </figure>

Per-day virus rate increases in Ellis Co.; 77 new cases identified

LONDON (AP) — Shipments of the coronavirus vaccine developed by American drugmaker Pfizer and Germany’s BioNTech were delivered Sunday in the U.K. in super-cold containers, two days before it goes public in an immunization program that is being closely watched around the world.

Around 800,000 doses of the vaccine were expected to be in place for the start of the immunization program on Tuesday, a day that Health Secretary Matt Hancock has reportedly dubbed as “V-Day,” a nod to triumphs in World War II.

“To know that they are here, and we are amongst the first in the country to actually receive the vaccine and therefore the first in the world, is just amazing,” said Louise Coughlan, joint chief pharmacist at Croydon Health Services NHS Trust, just south of London.

“I’m so proud,” she said after the trust, which runs Croydon University Hospital, took delivery of the vaccine.

Last week, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/uk-authorizes-vaccine-emergency-use-ea0170c978eb281a905866e5bd78bbdf">U.K. became the first country to authorize the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine</a>&nbsp;for emergency use. In trials, the vaccine was shown to have around 95% efficacy. Vaccinations will be administered starting Tuesday at around 50 hospital hubs in England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will also begin their vaccination rollouts the same day.

Governments and health agencies around the world will be monitoring the British vaccination program, which will take months, to note its successes and failures and adjust their own plans accordingly. The U.S. hopes to start vaccinations later this month. British regulatory authorities are also examining data on the vaccines from American biotechnology company Moderna and AstraZeneca-Oxford University.

Russia on Saturday began vaccinating thousands of doctors, teachers and others at dozens of centers in Moscow with its Russian-made Sputnik V vaccine, which was approved over the summer after being tested in only a few dozen people.

The excitement in Britain, which has Europe’s highest virus-related death toll at more than 61,000, was palpable.

“Despite the huge complexities, hospitals will kickstart the first phase of the largest scale vaccination campaign in our country’s history from Tuesday,” said Professor Stephen Powis, NHS England’s national medical director.

Patients aged 80 and above who are already attending hospitals as outpatients and those being discharged after a stay in the hospital will be among the first to receive the jab. Hospitals will also start inviting over 80s in for a vaccine shot and will work with nursing homes to book staff into vaccination clinics. Any appointments not taken up will be offered to those health workers deemed to be at the highest risk of COVID-19. Everyone who is vaccinated will need a booster jab 21 days later.

Buckingham Palace refused to comment on speculation that Queen Elizabeth II, 94, and her 99-year-old husband, Prince Philip, will soon be vaccinated and then make it public, a move that could reassure anyone nervous about getting a vaccination.

“Our goal is totally to protect every member of the population, Her Majesty, of course, as well,” Dr. June Raine, chief executive of Britain’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, which authorized the vaccine, told the BBC.

The U.K. has secured 40 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, which can cover 20 million people. Since the British government will only immunize people over 16, around 55 million people in the U.K. will be eligible. In total, Britain has procured 357 million doses of seven vaccine candidates, including 100 million of the much cheaper Oxford vaccine, which has a lower efficacy rate than the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.

Now that the first tranche of the vaccine has arrived from Pfizer’s manufacturing plant in Belgium, checks are being conducted by a specialist medical logistics company to ensure there was no damage in transit. This could take up to a day.

Each box containing the vaccines, which includes five packs of 975 doses, will need to be opened and unpacked manually at specially licensed sites. After that, the vaccines will then be made available to hospitals.

Delivering the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is complicated because it needs to be stored at super-chilled temperatures: about minus 70 degrees Celsius (minus 94 degrees Fahrenheit). Fortunately, the vaccine is stable at normal refrigerator temperatures, between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius (35.6 to 46.4 F), for a few days, meaning it can be stored locally. After defrosting the vaccine, which takes a few hours, additional time is required to prepare it to be given in a shot.

Public Health England has secured 58 special Twin Guard ultra-low temperature freezers that provide sufficient storage for approximately five million doses. The fridges, which are not portable, each hold around 86,000 doses.

The vaccine&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-germany-immunizations-coronavirus-pandemic-3ac7e19981b7937f0f08a29667ddf09e">won’t just be provided by hospitals</a>. Local doctors’ offices and other local health care centers are being put on standby to start delivering the vaccine, with a small number expected to do so the week of Dec. 14. More medical practices in more parts of the country will be phased in during December and in the coming months.

There are plans for vaccination centers treating large numbers of patients in sports areas and conference centers and for local pharmacies to be able to offer the jabs as they do with annual influenza shots.

Although nursing home residents top the prioritization list given to the British government by the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization, they won’t be getting the vaccinations straight away, as the vaccine packs of 975 doses cannot yet be divided, making it very difficult to deliver vaccines to individual care homes.

The NHS hopes authorities will soon approve a safe way of splitting up the dose packs so the shots can get to nursing homes during December.

During the first phase of the immunization program, Britain has created nine separate groups in its prioritization list down to those aged 50 and above. Overall, it hopes that up to 99% of people most at risk of dying from COVID 19 will have been immunized during the first phase.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600861747887.png" alt="Photo courtesy Johnson &amp; Johnson" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Johnson &amp; Johnson</figcaption>
 </figure>LONDON (AP) — Shipments of the coronavirus vaccine developed by American drugmaker Pfizer and Germany’s BioNTech were delivered Sunday in the U.K. in super-cold containers, two days before it goes public in an immunization program that is being closely watched around the world.Around 800,000 doses of the vaccine were expected to be in place for the start of the immunization program on Tuesday, a day that Health Secretary Matt Hancock has reportedly dubbed as “V-Day,” a nod to triumphs in World War II.“To know that they are here, and we are amongst the first in the country to actually receive the vaccine and therefore the first in the world, is just amazing,” said Louise Coughlan, joint chief pharmacist at Croydon Health Services NHS Trust, just south of London.“I’m so proud,” she said after the trust, which runs Croydon University Hospital, took delivery of the vaccine.Last week, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/uk-authorizes-vaccine-emergency-use-ea0170c978eb281a905866e5bd78bbdf">U.K. became the first country to authorize the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine</a>&nbsp;for emergency use. In trials, the vaccine was shown to have around 95% efficacy. Vaccinations will be administered starting Tuesday at around 50 hospital hubs in England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will also begin their vaccination rollouts the same day.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1605532171471.png" alt="Photo courtesy Moderna" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Moderna</figcaption>
 </figure>Governments and health agencies around the world will be monitoring the British vaccination program, which will take months, to note its successes and failures and adjust their own plans accordingly. The U.S. hopes to start vaccinations later this month. British regulatory authorities are also examining data on the vaccines from American biotechnology company Moderna and AstraZeneca-Oxford University.Russia on Saturday began vaccinating thousands of doctors, teachers and others at dozens of centers in Moscow with its Russian-made Sputnik V vaccine, which was approved over the summer after being tested in only a few dozen people.The excitement in Britain, which has Europe’s highest virus-related death toll at more than 61,000, was palpable.“Despite the huge complexities, hospitals will kickstart the first phase of the largest scale vaccination campaign in our country’s history from Tuesday,” said Professor Stephen Powis, NHS England’s national medical director.Patients aged 80 and above who are already attending hospitals as outpatients and those being discharged after a stay in the hospital will be among the first to receive the jab. Hospitals will also start inviting over 80s in for a vaccine shot and will work with nursing homes to book staff into vaccination clinics. Any appointments not taken up will be offered to those health workers deemed to be at the highest risk of COVID-19. Everyone who is vaccinated will need a booster jab 21 days later.Buckingham Palace refused to comment on speculation that Queen Elizabeth II, 94, and her 99-year-old husband, Prince Philip, will soon be vaccinated and then make it public, a move that could reassure anyone nervous about getting a vaccination.“Our goal is totally to protect every member of the population, Her Majesty, of course, as well,” Dr. June Raine, chief executive of Britain’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, which authorized the vaccine, told the BBC.The U.K. has secured 40 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, which can cover 20 million people. Since the British government will only immunize people over 16, around 55 million people in the U.K. will be eligible. In total, Britain has procured 357 million doses of seven vaccine candidates, including 100 million of the much cheaper Oxford vaccine, which has a lower efficacy rate than the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.Now that the first tranche of the vaccine has arrived from Pfizer’s manufacturing plant in Belgium, checks are being conducted by a specialist medical logistics company to ensure there was no damage in transit. This could take up to a day.Each box containing the vaccines, which includes five packs of 975 doses, will need to be opened and unpacked manually at specially licensed sites. After that, the vaccines will then be made available to hospitals.Delivering the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is complicated because it needs to be stored at super-chilled temperatures: about minus 70 degrees Celsius (minus 94 degrees Fahrenheit). Fortunately, the vaccine is stable at normal refrigerator temperatures, between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius (35.6 to 46.4 F), for a few days, meaning it can be stored locally. After defrosting the vaccine, which takes a few hours, additional time is required to prepare it to be given in a shot.Public Health England has secured 58 special Twin Guard ultra-low temperature freezers that provide sufficient storage for approximately five million doses. The fridges, which are not portable, each hold around 86,000 doses.The vaccine&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-germany-immunizations-coronavirus-pandemic-3ac7e19981b7937f0f08a29667ddf09e">won’t just be provided by hospitals</a>. Local doctors’ offices and other local health care centers are being put on standby to start delivering the vaccine, with a small number expected to do so the week of Dec. 14. More medical practices in more parts of the country will be phased in during December and in the coming months.There are plans for vaccination centers treating large numbers of patients in sports areas and conference centers and for local pharmacies to be able to offer the jabs as they do with annual influenza shots.Although nursing home residents top the prioritization list given to the British government by the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization, they won’t be getting the vaccinations straight away, as the vaccine packs of 975 doses cannot yet be divided, making it very difficult to deliver vaccines to individual care homes.The NHS hopes authorities will soon approve a safe way of splitting up the dose packs so the shots can get to nursing homes during December.During the first phase of the immunization program, Britain has created nine separate groups in its prioritization list down to those aged 50 and above. Overall, it hopes that up to 99% of people most at risk of dying from COVID 19 will have been immunized during the first phase.

Huge coronavirus vaccine rollout set to begin

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

The state has reported two COVID-19 clusters in long-term care facilities in Northwest Kansas.&nbsp;

The state reported&nbsp; 25 cases linked to Locust Grove Village in La Crosse and 18 cases linked to Solomon Valley Manor in Stockton.

Solomon Valley reported via Facebook on Friday it had three active cases among employees with 19 employees recovered from COVID. The facility has had one resident death, has six residents with active cases and 17 residents who have recovered.

The facility is testing weekly, and had zero deficiencies on its Targeted Infection Control Survey that was conducted Nov. 24 and 25.

Amanda Atkisson, administrator, was unavailable for further comment.

Locust Grove Administrator&nbsp;Charlotte Rathke said the facility has had staff and resident recoveries and is on the"downside of the issue."

The Rush County infection rate peaked with 19 cases on Nov. 23.

Rathke said the number of cases is constantly changing as people come out of quarantine. The facility had no new resident cases this week.&nbsp;

The facility has had two resident deaths. Both had other underlying health issues, Rathke said.

The facility is testing regularly, using PPE, quarantining sick residents and serving meals in residents' rooms in attempts to mitigate the spread of the illness.

Visitors have been restricted from the facility for some time.&nbsp;

"It has been very difficult for the residents to not interact with their families," Rathke said. 

"It is hard on the resident and the families that they are not able to come. We are trying to do other types of visitations like Facetimes and window visits, but it's just not the same as being in person with your loved one."

Staff quarantines have meant employees have had to work longer hours and non-certified staff are doing support work in various departments. The facility has also brought in temporary staff.&nbsp;

"Yes, people are tired and exhausted from not working the normal routine, but we have been able to meet all of the residents' needs," Rathke said.&nbsp;

She encouraged people to do all they could to control COVID spread in the community.

"What we do out in our community certainly impacts our elders," Rathke said. "People come into the building, so it takes all of us to be successful in guiding through this. We thank you for your support and prayers as we move through it."

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostThe state has reported two COVID-19 clusters in long-term care facilities in Northwest Kansas.&nbsp;The state reported&nbsp; 25 cases linked to Locust Grove Village in La Crosse and 18 cases linked to Solomon Valley Manor in Stockton.Solomon Valley reported via Facebook on Friday it had three active cases among employees with 19 employees recovered from COVID. The facility has had one resident death, has six residents with active cases and 17 residents who have recovered.The facility is testing weekly, and had zero deficiencies on its Targeted Infection Control Survey that was conducted Nov. 24 and 25.Amanda Atkisson, administrator, was unavailable for further comment.Locust Grove Administrator&nbsp;Charlotte Rathke said the facility has had staff and resident recoveries and is on the"downside of the issue."The Rush County infection rate peaked with 19 cases on Nov. 23.Rathke said the number of cases is constantly changing as people come out of quarantine. The facility had no new resident cases this week.&nbsp;The facility has had two resident deaths. Both had other underlying health issues, Rathke said.The facility is testing regularly, using PPE, quarantining sick residents and serving meals in residents' rooms in attempts to mitigate the spread of the illness.Visitors have been restricted from the facility for some time.&nbsp;"It has been very difficult for the residents to not interact with their families," Rathke said. "It is hard on the resident and the families that they are not able to come. We are trying to do other types of visitations like Facetimes and window visits, but it's just not the same as being in person with your loved one."Staff quarantines have meant employees have had to work longer hours and non-certified staff are doing support work in various departments. The facility has also brought in temporary staff.&nbsp;"Yes, people are tired and exhausted from not working the normal routine, but we have been able to meet all of the residents' needs," Rathke said.&nbsp;She encouraged people to do all they could to control COVID spread in the community."What we do out in our community certainly impacts our elders," Rathke said. "People come into the building, so it takes all of us to be successful in guiding through this. We thank you for your support and prayers as we move through it."

2 COVID clusters in NW Kansas long-term care homes

The Ellis County Health Department on Friday reported the average number of new coronavirus cases per day in the last seven days rose from 19 on Wednesday to 26 on Friday.

There were 146 new cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County since Wednesday. There are currently 489 active cases, including 10 active hospitalizations of Ellis County residents, and 2,113 recovered cases.

As of Friday, there were 32 COVID-19 inpatients at HaysMed, down from 37 on Thursday, with 22 of those active patients and 10 in the recovery phase.

The 146 cases is the second largest increase in a single report since the 148 new cases reported on Nov. 22. The department updates case counts on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/e8b95c3c-a4f0-4922-9af9-ac5ba4e9b1b5">RELATED:&nbsp;HaysMed full; rural patients waiting, traveling longer distances for care</a>

The seven-day average of percent of positive tests fell to 29 percent from nearly 32 percent on Wednesday.

Since reporting began, there have been 2,630 cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County, including 28 coronavirus-related deaths.

Of the total 13,471 tests administered, 18.4 percent have returned positive for COVID-19.

<div><iframe title="ECHS COVID-19 Weekly Update: Dec. 04, 2020" height="122" width="100%" style="border: none;" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/cjg3v-f41571?from=pb6admin&download=1&version=1&auto=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Helvetica&skin=3&pfauth=&btn-skin=101"></iframe></div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607105442722.png" alt="KDHE" />
 <figcaption>KDHE</figcaption>
 </figure>The Ellis County Health Department on Friday reported the average number of new coronavirus cases per day in the last seven days rose from 19 on Wednesday to 26 on Friday.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/c57b0ee6-7e92-4319-a7ed-3a0947cc8375">RELATED:&nbsp;Ellis Co. Health Department announces expanded drive-through testing</a>There were 146 new cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County since Wednesday. There are currently 489 active cases, including 10 active hospitalizations of Ellis County residents, and 2,113 recovered cases.As of Friday, there were 32 COVID-19 inpatients at HaysMed, down from 37 on Thursday, with 22 of those active patients and 10 in the recovery phase.The 146 cases is the second largest increase in a single report since the 148 new cases reported on Nov. 22. The department updates case counts on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/e8b95c3c-a4f0-4922-9af9-ac5ba4e9b1b5">RELATED:&nbsp;HaysMed full; rural patients waiting, traveling longer distances for care</a>The seven-day average of percent of positive tests fell to 29 percent from nearly 32 percent on Wednesday.Since reporting began, there have been 2,630 cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County, including 28 coronavirus-related deaths.Of the total 13,471 tests administered, 18.4 percent have returned positive for COVID-19.NOTE:&nbsp;"New cases" reflects cases reported by the Ellis County Health Department between regular reporting periods of Monday, Wednesday and Friday. "Total cases" reflects all cases reported by the department. Because of delayed test results, total cases might include cases prior to the previous reporting period, so the figures might not necessarily correspond.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607109886271.png" alt="" />
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 </figure><figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Rnw0R-SGsnA"></iframe>
 <figcaption>Sponsored</figcaption>
 </figure>

🎙 146 new cases of COVID-19 in Ellis Co. since Wednesday; Kennedy discusses

In conjunction with the updated quarantine guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Kansas Department of Health and Environment on Wednesday, ECHD is issuing similar guidance for Ellis County.

Quarantine Guidelines for Positive Cases: Individuals with a positive COVID-19 test result will continue with a required 10 day isolation period that begins at the onset of symptoms or date of test (whichever is longer).&nbsp;

Quarantine Guidelines for Close Contacts: There are two options, one with testing and one without testing. Both require the individual to be symptom-free throughout the duration of the quarantine period.

Option 1- 7-Day Quarantine (Testing and No Symptoms)&nbsp;

Option 2 - 10-Day Quarantine (No testing and No symptoms)

ECHD will continue to recommend that all exposed individuals self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days from exposure and contact their healthcare provider if symptoms develop.&nbsp;

Due to high-risk environments, residents in long-term care facilities, assisted-living facilities and incarcerated individuals are not eligible for shortened quarantine periods.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/6/1593005366466.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>ECHDIn conjunction with the updated quarantine guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Kansas Department of Health and Environment on Wednesday, ECHD is issuing similar guidance for Ellis County.Quarantine Guidelines for Positive Cases: Individuals with a positive COVID-19 test result will continue with a required 10 day isolation period that begins at the onset of symptoms or date of test (whichever is longer).&nbsp;Quarantine Guidelines for Close Contacts: There are two options, one with testing and one without testing. Both require the individual to be symptom-free throughout the duration of the quarantine period.Option 1- 7-Day Quarantine (Testing and No Symptoms)&nbsp;<ul>
 <li>After exposure, individual must monitor symptoms daily for 7 days.&nbsp;</li><li>If there are no symptoms during this time frame, on or after day 5, the individual may get a PCR test (antigen and antibody tests are NOT allowed for this purpose).&nbsp;</li><li>If the test is negative and the person remains symptom-free, the individual can discontinue quarantine on or after day 7.&nbsp;</li><li>If testing results are pending on day 7, the individual must not leave quarantine until results are received.</li><li>If the individual tests positive they must isolate for 10 days from the date of test. &nbsp;</li>
 </ul>Option 2 - 10-Day Quarantine (No testing and No symptoms)<ul>
 <li>After exposure, you monitor yourself for symptoms daily for 10 days.&nbsp;</li><li>If you have no symptoms during the 10 days, you can discontinue quarantine without a test.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>ECHD will continue to recommend that all exposed individuals self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days from exposure and contact their healthcare provider if symptoms develop.&nbsp;Due to high-risk environments, residents in long-term care facilities, assisted-living facilities and incarcerated individuals are not eligible for shortened quarantine periods.&nbsp;

Ellis County shortens quarantine guidelines

The Ellis County Health Department on Wednesday reported the average number of new coronavirus cases per day in the last seven days again fell from 24 on Monday to 19 on Wednesday.&nbsp;

There were 80 new cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County since Monday. There are currently 355 active cases, including 13 active hospitalizations of Ellis County residents, and 2,101 recovered cases. As of Wednesday, there were 32 COVID-19 inpatients at HaysMed, down from 35 on Monday.

The seven-day average of percent of positive tests rose to 31.8 percent, up from 27.4 percent Monday.

Since reporting began, there have been 2,484 cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County, including 28 coronavirus-related deaths.

Of the total 13,362 tests administered, 17 percent have returned positive for COVID-19.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1606932651509.png" alt="KDHE" />
 <figcaption>KDHE</figcaption>
 </figure>The Ellis County Health Department on Wednesday reported the average number of new coronavirus cases per day in the last seven days again fell from 24 on Monday to 19 on Wednesday.&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/c57b0ee6-7e92-4319-a7ed-3a0947cc8375">RELATED:&nbsp;Ellis Co. Health Department announces expanded drive-through testing</a>There were 80 new cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County since Monday. There are currently 355 active cases, including 13 active hospitalizations of Ellis County residents, and 2,101 recovered cases. As of Wednesday, there were 32 COVID-19 inpatients at HaysMed, down from 35 on Monday.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/e8b95c3c-a4f0-4922-9af9-ac5ba4e9b1b5">RELATED:&nbsp;HaysMed full; rural patients waiting, traveling longer distances for care</a>The seven-day average of percent of positive tests rose to 31.8 percent, up from 27.4 percent Monday.Since reporting began, there have been 2,484 cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County, including 28 coronavirus-related deaths.Of the total 13,362 tests administered, 17 percent have returned positive for COVID-19.NOTE:&nbsp;"New cases" reflects cases reported by the Ellis County Health Department between regular reporting periods of Monday, Wednesday and Friday. "Total cases" reflects all cases reported by the department. Because of delayed test results, total cases might include cases prior to the previous reporting period, so the figures might not necessarily correspond.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1606935705129.png" alt="" />
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 </figure><figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AClvlGge52U"></iframe>
 <figcaption>Sponsored</figcaption>
 </figure>

Ellis Co. per-day virus rate falls; 80 new cases identified

By LAURAN NEERGAARD and DANICA KIRKA, Associated Press

British officials authorized a COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use on Wednesday, greenlighting the world’s first shot against the virus that’s backed by rigorous science and taking a major step toward eventually ending the pandemic.

The go-ahead for the vaccine developed by American drugmaker Pfizer and Germany’s BioNTech comes as the virus surges again in the United States and Europe, putting pressure on hospitals and morgues in some places and forcing new rounds of restrictions that have devastated economies.

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, which licenses drugs in the U.K., recommended the vaccine could be used after it reviewed the results of clinical trials that showed the vaccine was 95% effective overall — and that it also offered significant protection for older people, among those most at risk of dying from the disease. But the vaccine remains experimental while final testing is done.

“Help is on its way,″ British Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the BBC, adding that the situation would start to improve in the spring.

“We now have a vaccine. We’re the first country in the world to have one formally clinically authorized but, between now and then, we’ve got to hold on, we’ve got to hold our resolve,” he said.

Other countries aren’t far behind: Regulators in the United States and the European Union also are vetting the Pfizer shot along with a similar&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/moderna-asks-regulators-ok-virus-shots-a65a00cdf9725c9104886ded9052a85d">vaccine made by competitor Moderna Inc</a>. British regulators also are considering another&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/astrazeneca-vaccine-third-cheaper-oxford-c99d26eb2946f6fde45a1edc002ff028">shot made by AstraZeneca and Oxford University</a>.

Hancock said Britain expects to begin receiving the first shipment of 800,000 doses “within days,″ and people will begin receiving shots as soon as the National Health Service gets the vaccine.

Doses everywhere are scarce, and initial supplies will be rationed until more is manufactured in the first several months of next year.

A government committee will release details of vaccination priorities later Wednesday, but Hancock said nursing home residents, people over 80, and healthcare workers and other care workers will be the first to receive the shot.

Pfizer said it would immediately begin shipping limited supplies to the U.K. — and has been gearing up for even wider distribution if given a similar nod by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, a decision expected as early as next week.

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla called the U.K. decision “a historic moment.”

“We are focusing on moving with the same level of urgency to safely supply a high-quality vaccine around the world,” Bourla said in a statement.

While the U.K. has ordered 40 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, enough for 20 million people, it’s not clear how many will arrive by year’s end. Hancock said the U.K. expects to receive “millions of doses” by the end of this year, adding that the actual number will depend on how fast Pfizer can produce the vaccine.

One concern about the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is that it must be stored and shipped at ultra-cold temperatures of around minus 70 degrees Celsius (minus 94 degrees Fahrenheit), adding to the challenge of distributing the vaccine around the world.

Pfizer says it has developed shipping containers that use dry ice to keep the vaccine cool. GPS-enabled sensors will allow the company to track each shipment and ensure they stay cold, the company says.

“Pfizer has vast experience and expertise in cold-chain shipping and has an established infrastructure to supply the vaccine worldwide, including distribution hubs that can store vaccine doses for up to six months,” the company said in a statement.

The company also says it has agreed to work with other vaccine makers to ensure there is sufficient supply and a range of vaccines, “including those suitable for global access.”

Every country has different rules for determining when an experimental vaccine is safe and effective enough to use. Intense political pressure to be the first to roll out a rigorously scientifically tested shot colored the race in the U.S. and Britain, even as researchers pledged to cut no corners. In contrast, China and Russia have offered different vaccinations to their citizens ahead of late-stage testing.

The shots made by U.S.-based Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech were tested in tens of thousands of people. And while that study isn’t complete, early results suggest the vaccine is 95% effective at preventing mild to severe COVID-19 disease. The companies told regulators that of the first 170 infections detected in study volunteers, only eight were among people who’d received the actual vaccine and the rest had gotten a dummy shot.

“This is an extraordinarily strong protection,” Dr. Ugur Sahin, BioNTech’s CEO, recently told The Associated Press.

The companies also reported no serious side effects, although vaccine recipients may experience temporary pain and flu-like reactions immediately after injections.

Final testing must still be completed. Still to be determined is whether the Pfizer-BioNTech shots protect against people spreading the coronavirus without showing symptoms. Another question is how long protection lasts.

The vaccine also has been tested in only a small number of children, none younger than 12, and there’s no information on its effects in pregnant women.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1604926559777.png" alt="Photo courtesy Pfizer" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Pfizer</figcaption>
 </figure>By LAURAN NEERGAARD and DANICA KIRKA, Associated PressBritish officials authorized a COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use on Wednesday, greenlighting the world’s first shot against the virus that’s backed by rigorous science and taking a major step toward eventually ending the pandemic.The go-ahead for the vaccine developed by American drugmaker Pfizer and Germany’s BioNTech comes as the virus surges again in the United States and Europe, putting pressure on hospitals and morgues in some places and forcing new rounds of restrictions that have devastated economies.The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, which licenses drugs in the U.K., recommended the vaccine could be used after it reviewed the results of clinical trials that showed the vaccine was 95% effective overall — and that it also offered significant protection for older people, among those most at risk of dying from the disease. But the vaccine remains experimental while final testing is done.“Help is on its way,″ British Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the BBC, adding that the situation would start to improve in the spring.“We now have a vaccine. We’re the first country in the world to have one formally clinically authorized but, between now and then, we’ve got to hold on, we’ve got to hold our resolve,” he said.Other countries aren’t far behind: Regulators in the United States and the European Union also are vetting the Pfizer shot along with a similar&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/moderna-asks-regulators-ok-virus-shots-a65a00cdf9725c9104886ded9052a85d">vaccine made by competitor Moderna Inc</a>. British regulators also are considering another&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/astrazeneca-vaccine-third-cheaper-oxford-c99d26eb2946f6fde45a1edc002ff028">shot made by AstraZeneca and Oxford University</a>.Hancock said Britain expects to begin receiving the first shipment of 800,000 doses “within days,″ and people will begin receiving shots as soon as the National Health Service gets the vaccine.Doses everywhere are scarce, and initial supplies will be rationed until more is manufactured in the first several months of next year.A government committee will release details of vaccination priorities later Wednesday, but Hancock said nursing home residents, people over 80, and healthcare workers and other care workers will be the first to receive the shot.Pfizer said it would immediately begin shipping limited supplies to the U.K. — and has been gearing up for even wider distribution if given a similar nod by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, a decision expected as early as next week.Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla called the U.K. decision “a historic moment.”“We are focusing on moving with the same level of urgency to safely supply a high-quality vaccine around the world,” Bourla said in a statement.While the U.K. has ordered 40 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, enough for 20 million people, it’s not clear how many will arrive by year’s end. Hancock said the U.K. expects to receive “millions of doses” by the end of this year, adding that the actual number will depend on how fast Pfizer can produce the vaccine.One concern about the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is that it must be stored and shipped at ultra-cold temperatures of around minus 70 degrees Celsius (minus 94 degrees Fahrenheit), adding to the challenge of distributing the vaccine around the world.Pfizer says it has developed shipping containers that use dry ice to keep the vaccine cool. GPS-enabled sensors will allow the company to track each shipment and ensure they stay cold, the company says.“Pfizer has vast experience and expertise in cold-chain shipping and has an established infrastructure to supply the vaccine worldwide, including distribution hubs that can store vaccine doses for up to six months,” the company said in a statement.The company also says it has agreed to work with other vaccine makers to ensure there is sufficient supply and a range of vaccines, “including those suitable for global access.”Every country has different rules for determining when an experimental vaccine is safe and effective enough to use. Intense political pressure to be the first to roll out a rigorously scientifically tested shot colored the race in the U.S. and Britain, even as researchers pledged to cut no corners. In contrast, China and Russia have offered different vaccinations to their citizens ahead of late-stage testing.The shots made by U.S.-based Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech were tested in tens of thousands of people. And while that study isn’t complete, early results suggest the vaccine is 95% effective at preventing mild to severe COVID-19 disease. The companies told regulators that of the first 170 infections detected in study volunteers, only eight were among people who’d received the actual vaccine and the rest had gotten a dummy shot.ADVERTISEMENT“This is an extraordinarily strong protection,” Dr. Ugur Sahin, BioNTech’s CEO, recently told The Associated Press.The companies also reported no serious side effects, although vaccine recipients may experience temporary pain and flu-like reactions immediately after injections.Final testing must still be completed. Still to be determined is whether the Pfizer-BioNTech shots protect against people spreading the coronavirus without showing symptoms. Another question is how long protection lasts.The vaccine also has been tested in only a small number of children, none younger than 12, and there’s no information on its effects in pregnant women.___

First COVID-19 vaccinations expected next week

By JODI FORTINO <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-12-01/coronavirus-deaths-in-missouri-top-4-000-as-hospitals-worry-about-capacity-for-rising-number-of-patients">Kansas News Service</a>

COVID-19-related deaths in Missouri hit 4,006 in updated data 
released by the state Tuesday, as officials on both sides of the state 
line worried that hospitals in rural and metropolitan areas were 
reaching capacity.

In Missouri, 19,716 new cases, including 60 deaths, were reported in the last seven days, according to <a href="https://showmestrong.mo.gov/data/public-health/" target="_blank">a public health dashboard run by the state</a>. In all, there have been nearly 303,000 total cases. In Kansas, there have been a total of 157,446 cases and 1,560 deaths, <a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1529/Nov-30-case-summary?bidId=" target="_blank">according to a state website</a>.

In the nine-county Kansas City area (which encompasses both sides of the state line) 1,088 have died, according to the <a href="https://marc2.org/covidhub/" target="_blank">Kansas City Region COVID-19 Data Hub</a>.

The
 University of Kansas Health System announced at its daily briefing 
Tuesday that 101 patients have active COVID-19 cases, of which 53 are in
 the intensive care unit and 24 are on ventilators.

KU experts 
said the increase of patients in the intensive care unit was a reason 
for concern as the hospital’s capacity continues to dwindle. Around 47% 
of ICU beds in Kansas City are taken up by coronavirus patients, 
according to the <a href="https://marc2.org/covidhub/" target="_blank">Kansas City Region COVID-19 Data Hub</a>.

“In
 general, the data tells us that we're in for at least a couple of weeks
 more of challenges with the hospitalizations at this point,” said David
 Wild, KU’s vice president of performance improvement.

Wild said 
he believes the dip in the case numbers the week of Thanksgiving was 
likely a result of less people getting tested over the holiday weekend. 
The hospital tested around 1,000 over the four-day period, a number it 
normally tests in a day.

Now that people are back to work, Wild 
said lines are forming at the system’s testing centers. If case numbers 
don’t begin to decrease soon, he anticipates another lockdown will take 
place.

“I think that there's a need for further intervention for 
our community risk mitigation and whether that's a full lockdown or 
whether that's additional sort of restrictions on how we move and 
gather, especially in the places that we know by data are likely to be 
hotspots for transmission,” said Wild.

Rural counties, many of 
which still do not have mask mandates, will have a harder time accepting
 more restrictions, said Bob Moser, dean of the University of Kansas 
School of Medicine-Salina.

While the university has managed to keep case numbers down through mask-wearing and social-distancing, <a href="https://www.saline.org/Coronavirus" target="_blank">Saline County</a> jumped from five to 34 hospitalizations in just four weeks.

As
 Kansas City-area hospitals also begin to fill up, Moser said rural 
hospitals are struggling to find open rooms for critical patients. <a href="https://www.kansashealthsystem.com/about-us/community/care-collaborative" target="_blank">The University of Kansas Health System Care Collaborative</a> spent nearly eight hours this month finding an available hospital for just one patient, said Moser.

As a result, smaller hospitals are holding on to more COVID-19 patients rather than facing the challenges of transferring.

“That
 means other health conditions, chronic conditions that we deal with 
every day, may have to suffer because they don’t have the capacity for 
that. It's getting pretty critical,” said Moser.

Moser said 
another one of his biggest concerns is how rural communities will fit 
into the state’s plan to distribute vaccines. During the H1N1 crisis, 
Moser said rural counties were given very few vaccines because the state
 based area’s needs on their population size.

There is no plan yet
 for when rural areas will receive the vaccine, but KU health experts 
said it will first go to those at highest risk, first responders and 
healthcare workers.

“That's why we need more companies, because we
 know that through Operation Warp Speed, there has been a buildup of 
supply from those other companies that will help as well, if they do get
 approved. So this first batch is going to be a range, but it will be a 
small range,” said Dr. Dana Hawkinson, an infectious disease expert at 
the University of Kansas Health System.

Hawkinson said the system 
is now working with Wyandotte County on a plan to get vaccinations to 
the area’s most vulnerable populations.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1606851264919.png" alt="Health experts in rural counties of Kansas said routine treatment and care is being put on hold because of the number of COVID-19 patients hospitalized. Carlos Moreno / KCUR 89.3" />
 <figcaption>Health experts in rural counties of Kansas said routine treatment and care is being put on hold because of the number of COVID-19 patients hospitalized. Carlos Moreno / KCUR 89.3</figcaption>
 </figure>By JODI FORTINO <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-12-01/coronavirus-deaths-in-missouri-top-4-000-as-hospitals-worry-about-capacity-for-rising-number-of-patients">Kansas News Service</a>COVID-19-related deaths in Missouri hit 4,006 in updated data 
released by the state Tuesday, as officials on both sides of the state 
line worried that hospitals in rural and metropolitan areas were 
reaching capacity.In Missouri, 19,716 new cases, including 60 deaths, were reported in the last seven days, according to <a href="https://showmestrong.mo.gov/data/public-health/" target="_blank">a public health dashboard run by the state</a>. In all, there have been nearly 303,000 total cases. In Kansas, there have been a total of 157,446 cases and 1,560 deaths, <a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1529/Nov-30-case-summary?bidId=" target="_blank">according to a state website</a>. In the nine-county Kansas City area (which encompasses both sides of the state line) 1,088 have died, according to the <a href="https://marc2.org/covidhub/" target="_blank">Kansas City Region COVID-19 Data Hub</a>. The
 University of Kansas Health System announced at its daily briefing 
Tuesday that 101 patients have active COVID-19 cases, of which 53 are in
 the intensive care unit and 24 are on ventilators.KU experts 
said the increase of patients in the intensive care unit was a reason 
for concern as the hospital’s capacity continues to dwindle. Around 47% 
of ICU beds in Kansas City are taken up by coronavirus patients, 
according to the <a href="https://marc2.org/covidhub/" target="_blank">Kansas City Region COVID-19 Data Hub</a>.“In
 general, the data tells us that we're in for at least a couple of weeks
 more of challenges with the hospitalizations at this point,” said David
 Wild, KU’s vice president of performance improvement.Wild said 
he believes the dip in the case numbers the week of Thanksgiving was 
likely a result of less people getting tested over the holiday weekend. 
The hospital tested around 1,000 over the four-day period, a number it 
normally tests in a day.Now that people are back to work, Wild 
said lines are forming at the system’s testing centers. If case numbers 
don’t begin to decrease soon, he anticipates another lockdown will take 
place.“I think that there's a need for further intervention for 
our community risk mitigation and whether that's a full lockdown or 
whether that's additional sort of restrictions on how we move and 
gather, especially in the places that we know by data are likely to be 
hotspots for transmission,” said Wild.Rural counties, many of 
which still do not have mask mandates, will have a harder time accepting
 more restrictions, said Bob Moser, dean of the University of Kansas 
School of Medicine-Salina.While the university has managed to keep case numbers down through mask-wearing and social-distancing, <a href="https://www.saline.org/Coronavirus" target="_blank">Saline County</a> jumped from five to 34 hospitalizations in just four weeks.As
 Kansas City-area hospitals also begin to fill up, Moser said rural 
hospitals are struggling to find open rooms for critical patients. <a href="https://www.kansashealthsystem.com/about-us/community/care-collaborative" target="_blank">The University of Kansas Health System Care Collaborative</a> spent nearly eight hours this month finding an available hospital for just one patient, said Moser.As a result, smaller hospitals are holding on to more COVID-19 patients rather than facing the challenges of transferring.“That
 means other health conditions, chronic conditions that we deal with 
every day, may have to suffer because they don’t have the capacity for 
that. It's getting pretty critical,” said Moser.Moser said 
another one of his biggest concerns is how rural communities will fit 
into the state’s plan to distribute vaccines. During the H1N1 crisis, 
Moser said rural counties were given very few vaccines because the state
 based area’s needs on their population size.There is no plan yet
 for when rural areas will receive the vaccine, but KU health experts 
said it will first go to those at highest risk, first responders and 
healthcare workers.“That's why we need more companies, because we
 know that through Operation Warp Speed, there has been a buildup of 
supply from those other companies that will help as well, if they do get
 approved. So this first batch is going to be a range, but it will be a 
small range,” said Dr. Dana Hawkinson, an infectious disease expert at 
the University of Kansas Health System.Hawkinson said the system 
is now working with Wyandotte County on a plan to get vaccinations to 
the area’s most vulnerable populations.

Virus deaths in Missouri top 4,000 as hospitals worry about capacity

The Ellis County Health Department on Monday reported the average number of new coronavirus cases per day in the last seven days again fell from 34 on Friday to 24 on Monday.

There were 58 new cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County since Friday. There are currently 423 active cases, including 13 active hospitalizations of Ellis County residents, and 1,953 recovered cases.&nbsp;As of Monday, there were 35 COVID-19 inpatients at HaysMed, according to The University of Kansas Health System, down from 37 on Wednesday.

The seven-day average of percent of positive tests fell to 27.4 percent — down from 34.7 percent on Friday.

Since reporting began, there have been 2,404 cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County, including 28 coronavirus-related deaths.

Of the total 13,242 tests administered, 16.9 percent have returned positive for COVID-19.

Doctors from&nbsp;The University of Kansas Health System said Monday they will know by Dec. 10 to 14 whether the Thanksgiving holiday will cause another spike in cases.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606760716602.png" alt="KDHE" />
 <figcaption>KDHE</figcaption>
 </figure>The Ellis County Health Department on Monday reported the average number of new coronavirus cases per day in the last seven days again fell from 34 on Friday to 24 on Monday.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/c57b0ee6-7e92-4319-a7ed-3a0947cc8375">RELATED:&nbsp;Ellis Co. Health Department announces expanded drive-through testing</a>There were 58 new cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County since Friday. There are currently 423 active cases, including 13 active hospitalizations of Ellis County residents, and 1,953 recovered cases.&nbsp;As of Monday, there were 35 COVID-19 inpatients at HaysMed, according to The University of Kansas Health System, down from 37 on Wednesday.The seven-day average of percent of positive tests fell to 27.4 percent — down from 34.7 percent on Friday.Since reporting began, there have been 2,404 cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County, including 28 coronavirus-related deaths.Of the total 13,242 tests administered, 16.9 percent have returned positive for COVID-19.Doctors from&nbsp;The University of Kansas Health System said Monday they will know by Dec. 10 to 14 whether the Thanksgiving holiday will cause another spike in cases.NOTE:&nbsp;"New cases" reflects cases reported by the Ellis County Health Department between regular reporting periods of Monday, Wednesday and Friday. "Total cases" reflects all cases reported by the department. Because of delayed test results, total cases might include cases prior to the previous reporting period, so the figures might not necessarily correspond.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606763079900.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AClvlGge52U"></iframe>
 <figcaption>Sponsored</figcaption>
 </figure>

Ellis Co. per-day virus rate falls; 58 new cases identified

HOLTON, KAN. (AP) —&nbsp;Small rural hospitals in&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;and&nbsp;Missouri&nbsp;are increasingly spending hours searching for facilities they can transfer patients to because they are struggling to cope with the surge in coronavirus cases.

As the region's hospitals fill up with COVID-19 patients, smaller hospitals like the one in Holton, Kansas, are finding it difficult to treat patients who don't have the disease but still need care.

“People don’t just stop having heart attacks or those sorts of things,” said Carrie Saia, CEO of the hospital in Holton, which is about 30 miles north of Topeka, Kansas. “I just worry that we’re going to be so consumed that we’re not really able to care for some emergency that comes in.”

The urban and rural health care systems in Missouri and Kansas are intertwined, with smaller hospitals identifying which patients need more advanced care and transferring them to larger facilities in bigger cities, the Kansas City Star reported. But lately, smaller hospitals have been spending hours searching for beds for their patients in larger facilities in places such as Wichita, Kansas City, St. Louis and Springfield, Missouri.

When COVID-19 patients stress the capacity of smaller hospitals, it makes it harder to care for patients with heart attacks, strokes or other serious conditions.

“Those patients, when they come through our doors, honestly that’s a little more scary than COVID,” said Valarie Davis who is the administrator of Mercy’s smaller hospitals in Cassville and Aurora, Missouri. “We have to get them somewhere as quick as we possibly can.”

And rural hospital administrators increasingly worry about how the surge in patients is affecting their nurses and doctors.

“I’ve had one of the nurses literally break down right in front of me because of her concern for one of the patients, which is a wonderful thing but it takes a toll on the staff,” said Dennis Franks, CEO of the 25-bed Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center in Chanute, Kansas. “They’re working a lot.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606685988313.png" alt="Holton Community Hospital is 30 miles north of Topeka" />
 <figcaption>Holton Community Hospital is 30 miles north of Topeka</figcaption>
 </figure>HOLTON, KAN. (AP) —&nbsp;Small rural hospitals in&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;and&nbsp;Missouri&nbsp;are increasingly spending hours searching for facilities they can transfer patients to because they are struggling to cope with the surge in coronavirus cases.As the region's hospitals fill up with COVID-19 patients, smaller hospitals like the one in Holton, Kansas, are finding it difficult to treat patients who don't have the disease but still need care.“People don’t just stop having heart attacks or those sorts of things,” said Carrie Saia, CEO of the hospital in Holton, which is about 30 miles north of Topeka, Kansas. “I just worry that we’re going to be so consumed that we’re not really able to care for some emergency that comes in.”The urban and rural health care systems in Missouri and Kansas are intertwined, with smaller hospitals identifying which patients need more advanced care and transferring them to larger facilities in bigger cities, the Kansas City Star reported. But lately, smaller hospitals have been spending hours searching for beds for their patients in larger facilities in places such as Wichita, Kansas City, St. Louis and Springfield, Missouri.When COVID-19 patients stress the capacity of smaller hospitals, it makes it harder to care for patients with heart attacks, strokes or other serious conditions.“Those patients, when they come through our doors, honestly that’s a little more scary than COVID,” said Valarie Davis who is the administrator of Mercy’s smaller hospitals in Cassville and Aurora, Missouri. “We have to get them somewhere as quick as we possibly can.”And rural hospital administrators increasingly worry about how the surge in patients is affecting their nurses and doctors.“I’ve had one of the nurses literally break down right in front of me because of her concern for one of the patients, which is a wonderful thing but it takes a toll on the staff,” said Dennis Franks, CEO of the 25-bed Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center in Chanute, Kansas. “They’re working a lot.”

Surge in virus cases stresses rural hospitals across Kansas

The Ellis County Health Department on Friday reported the average number of new coronavirus cases per day in the last seven days again fell from 38 on Wednesday to 34 on Friday.

The department also announced two additional coronavirus-related deaths, bringing the total to 28.

There were 52 new cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County since Wednesday. There are currently 438 active cases, including 10 active hospitalizations of Ellis County residents, and 1,880 recovered cases. As of Wednesday, there were 37 COVID-19 inpatients at HaysMed, according to The University of Kansas Health System.

The seven-day average of percent of positive tests rose slightly to 34.7 percent.

Since reporting began, there have been 2,346 cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County, including 28 virus-related deaths.

Of the total 12,934 tests administered, 16.9 percent have returned positive for coronavirus.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606500892634.png" alt="KDHE" />
 <figcaption>KDHE</figcaption>
 </figure>The Ellis County Health Department on Friday reported the average number of new coronavirus cases per day in the last seven days again fell from 38 on Wednesday to 34 on Friday.The department also announced two additional coronavirus-related deaths, bringing the total to 28.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/c57b0ee6-7e92-4319-a7ed-3a0947cc8375">RELATED:&nbsp;Ellis Co. Health Department announces expanded drive-through testing</a>There were 52 new cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County since Wednesday. There are currently 438 active cases, including 10 active hospitalizations of Ellis County residents, and 1,880 recovered cases. As of Wednesday, there were 37 COVID-19 inpatients at HaysMed, according to The University of Kansas Health System.The seven-day average of percent of positive tests rose slightly to 34.7 percent.Since reporting began, there have been 2,346 cases of COVID-19 identified in Ellis County, including 28 virus-related deaths.Of the total 12,934 tests administered, 16.9 percent have returned positive for coronavirus.NOTE:&nbsp;"New cases" reflects cases reported by the Ellis County Health Department between regular reporting periods of Monday, Wednesday and Friday. "Total cases" reflects all cases reported by the department. Because of delayed test results, total cases might include cases prior to the previous reporting period, so the figures might not necessarily correspond.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606499852427.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AClvlGge52U"></iframe>
 <figcaption>Sponsored</figcaption>
 </figure>

Ellis Co. per-day virus rate dips; two additional deaths announced

The Ellis County Health Department on Friday announced expanded free drive-through testing for COVID-19.

The testing — in partnership with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and @tourhealth — will be today until 4:30 p.m. and then Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. until further notice.

The drive-through testing will occur at Big Creek Crossing, 2918 Vine. No appointment is necessary.

"Please ensure that you are following COVID-19 safe practices, which includes isolating yourself following testing until you receive results," the department said in a news release, noting turnaround time on testing averages three to five days. "We encourage all of Ellis County to continue to follow best practices as we attempt to move forward with life."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606496461004.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The Ellis County Health Department on Friday announced expanded free drive-through testing for COVID-19.The testing — in partnership with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and @tourhealth — will be today until 4:30 p.m. and then Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. until further notice.The drive-through testing will occur at Big Creek Crossing, 2918 Vine. No appointment is necessary."Please ensure that you are following COVID-19 safe practices, which includes isolating yourself following testing until you receive results," the department said in a news release, noting turnaround time on testing averages three to five days. "We encourage all of Ellis County to continue to follow best practices as we attempt to move forward with life."Read the complete release below.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606496381936.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Ellis Co. Health Department announces expanded drive-through testing

Monday&nbsp;afternoon at Big Creek Crossing in Hays, dozens of vehicles lined up&nbsp;for&nbsp;free&nbsp;drive-through&nbsp;COVID-19 testing.&nbsp;

Starting about 15 minutes later than planned, the first few cars moved through the line slowly. But soon after, the line was moving quicker and, by the second-day, participants&nbsp;were&nbsp;reporting&nbsp;only a&nbsp;short&nbsp;wait.&nbsp;

The testing is a&nbsp;partnership&nbsp;with&nbsp;Ellis County Health&nbsp;Department, the Kansas Department of Health and&nbsp;Environment&nbsp;and&nbsp;@tourhealth.&nbsp;

“It’s kind of an exciting thing for Ellis County,”&nbsp;said ECHD&nbsp;Director Jason Kennedy. “Statewide, the governor has pushed a new&nbsp;agenda&nbsp;for testing — increased testing,&nbsp;and really testing for all&nbsp;—&nbsp;for the first time regardless of&nbsp;symptoms&nbsp;and&nbsp;really regardless&nbsp;of contact. It is just free testing.”&nbsp;

He said he was informed of&nbsp;the&nbsp;arrival&nbsp;Sunday, but the short notice did not hamper the number of people there taking advantage of the testing when it began Monday afternoon.&nbsp;

“I think they had a good amount of people show up (Monday) and I think we will continue to see high numbers of testing,” Kennedy said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

While testing will help curtail the spread locally by virtue of people knowing if they have&nbsp;contracted COVID-19, he said it is up to&nbsp;individuals&nbsp;to use that information to influence their&nbsp;behavior&nbsp;in a positive way.&nbsp;

“I&nbsp;think&nbsp;that the biggest thing is that people continue to do their part,” Kennedy said.&nbsp;

He said the test does not keep anyone safe, but following recommendations can.&nbsp;

“A test just tells you if the virus is there, whether it is present, or not,” Kennedy said.&nbsp;“It is up to the&nbsp;individual&nbsp;at that point to make sure that they use that information to guide good decisions.”&nbsp;

Those that&nbsp;receive&nbsp;a positive test, he said, should not wait on the health department or a medical professional to begin&nbsp;quarantine.&nbsp;

“When you get those results,&nbsp;isolate&nbsp;yourself immediately,” Kennedy said.&nbsp;

And those awaiting test results should isolate as well, until a negative result is&nbsp;returned, he said.&nbsp;

“We find far too often that people go to get tested and they don’t isolate,” he said of those that&nbsp;receive&nbsp;a test without&nbsp;symptoms&nbsp;or known COVID-19 contact.&nbsp;“When they come back positive that means they have potentially exposed all of those people while they are waiting on their test results.”&nbsp;

Testing is scheduled to continue until 4:30 p.m. Wednesday and will resume&nbsp;after the holiday at 8:30 a.m. Friday and will continue until 4:30 p.m.&nbsp;

While no details have yet been released, Kennedy said the testing will also continue next week.&nbsp;

“The testing will not leave Ellis County,” Kennedy said. “It will be here for a while.”&nbsp;

When further information about testing becomes&nbsp;available&nbsp;he said it would be shared with the public.&nbsp;

“We will keep people posted via press release and our&nbsp;Facebook&nbsp;page,” Kennedy said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Expanded testing also means COVID-19 rates and the number of positives could significantly change, but sudden jumps in numbers are secondary to the expanded testing mission.&nbsp;

“The goal of testing is to&nbsp;isolate&nbsp;COVID and hopefully to keep people from spreading it,” Kennedy said.&nbsp;&nbsp;

He said the&nbsp;average&nbsp;percent of positives&nbsp;will&nbsp;almost certainly&nbsp;be&nbsp;impacted&nbsp;as results are returned, but the outcome is more important than the&nbsp;change in&nbsp;data.&nbsp;

“We put so much&nbsp;energy and&nbsp;stock in numbers&nbsp;and we forget those numbers are impacts,” Kennedy said. “So,&nbsp;if we can get people&nbsp;identified&nbsp;early on that have COVID that&nbsp;have not at that point spread it,&nbsp;we can isolate them,&nbsp;and hopefully&nbsp;over the course of time,&nbsp;lessen the impact of that individual.”&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606335914420.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By JAMES BELL Hays PostMonday&nbsp;afternoon at Big Creek Crossing in Hays, dozens of vehicles lined up&nbsp;for&nbsp;free&nbsp;drive-through&nbsp;COVID-19 testing.&nbsp;Starting about 15 minutes later than planned, the first few cars moved through the line slowly. But soon after, the line was moving quicker and, by the second-day, participants&nbsp;were&nbsp;reporting&nbsp;only a&nbsp;short&nbsp;wait.&nbsp;The testing is a&nbsp;partnership&nbsp;with&nbsp;Ellis County Health&nbsp;Department, the Kansas Department of Health and&nbsp;Environment&nbsp;and&nbsp;@tourhealth.&nbsp;“It’s kind of an exciting thing for Ellis County,”&nbsp;said ECHD&nbsp;Director Jason Kennedy. “Statewide, the governor has pushed a new&nbsp;agenda&nbsp;for testing — increased testing,&nbsp;and really testing for all&nbsp;—&nbsp;for the first time regardless of&nbsp;symptoms&nbsp;and&nbsp;really regardless&nbsp;of contact. It is just free testing.”&nbsp;He said he was informed of&nbsp;the&nbsp;arrival&nbsp;Sunday, but the short notice did not hamper the number of people there taking advantage of the testing when it began Monday afternoon.&nbsp;“I think they had a good amount of people show up (Monday) and I think we will continue to see high numbers of testing,” Kennedy said.&nbsp;&nbsp;While testing will help curtail the spread locally by virtue of people knowing if they have&nbsp;contracted COVID-19, he said it is up to&nbsp;individuals&nbsp;to use that information to influence their&nbsp;behavior&nbsp;in a positive way.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1606335956174.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>“I&nbsp;think&nbsp;that the biggest thing is that people continue to do their part,” Kennedy said.&nbsp;He said the test does not keep anyone safe, but following recommendations can.&nbsp;“A test just tells you if the virus is there, whether it is present, or not,” Kennedy said.&nbsp;“It is up to the&nbsp;individual&nbsp;at that point to make sure that they use that information to guide good decisions.”&nbsp;Those that&nbsp;receive&nbsp;a positive test, he said, should not wait on the health department or a medical professional to begin&nbsp;quarantine.&nbsp;“When you get those results,&nbsp;isolate&nbsp;yourself immediately,” Kennedy said.&nbsp;And those awaiting test results should isolate as well, until a negative result is&nbsp;returned, he said.&nbsp;“We find far too often that people go to get tested and they don’t isolate,” he said of those that&nbsp;receive&nbsp;a test without&nbsp;symptoms&nbsp;or known COVID-19 contact.&nbsp;“When they come back positive that means they have potentially exposed all of those people while they are waiting on their test results.”&nbsp;Testing is scheduled to continue until 4:30 p.m. Wednesday and will resume&nbsp;after the holiday at 8:30 a.m. Friday and will continue until 4:30 p.m.&nbsp;While no details have yet been released, Kennedy said the testing will also continue next week.&nbsp;“The testing will not leave Ellis County,” Kennedy said. “It will be here for a while.”&nbsp;When further information about testing becomes&nbsp;available&nbsp;he said it would be shared with the public.&nbsp;“We will keep people posted via press release and our&nbsp;Facebook&nbsp;page,” Kennedy said.&nbsp;&nbsp;Expanded testing also means COVID-19 rates and the number of positives could significantly change, but sudden jumps in numbers are secondary to the expanded testing mission.&nbsp;“The goal of testing is to&nbsp;isolate&nbsp;COVID and hopefully to keep people from spreading it,” Kennedy said.&nbsp;&nbsp;He said the&nbsp;average&nbsp;percent of positives&nbsp;will&nbsp;almost certainly&nbsp;be&nbsp;impacted&nbsp;as results are returned, but the outcome is more important than the&nbsp;change in&nbsp;data.&nbsp;“We put so much&nbsp;energy and&nbsp;stock in numbers&nbsp;and we forget those numbers are impacts,” Kennedy said. “So,&nbsp;if we can get people&nbsp;identified&nbsp;early on that have COVID that&nbsp;have not at that point spread it,&nbsp;we can isolate them,&nbsp;and hopefully&nbsp;over the course of time,&nbsp;lessen the impact of that individual.”&nbsp;

Free COVID-19 testing ongoing in Hays

82 new cases of COVID-19 in Ellis Co.; Kennedy discusses

BEIJING (AP) — China says it has detected the coronavirus on packages of imported frozen food, but how valid are its claims and how serious is the threat to public health?

Frozen shrimp imported from an Ecuadorian company was banned for one week on Tuesday in a continuing series of such temporary bans.

While experts say the virus can survive for a time on cardboard and plastic containers, it remains unclear how serious a risk that poses. Like so many issues surrounding the pandemic, the matter has swiftly become politicized.

China has rejected complaints from the U.S. and others, saying it is putting people’s lives first. Experts say they generally don’t consider the presence of the virus on packaging to be a significant health risk.

A look at the issue and some of the conclusions so far:

Packaging first became a major issue with outbreaks in China linked to wholesale food markets, including one in June on the outskirts of Beijing. That prompted the removal of smoked salmon from supermarket shelves and has snowballed into multiple cases nationwide involving chicken, beef and seafood from nearly two dozen countries. At some supermarkets, imported meat now comes with a sticker declaring it to be virus-free.

Infections among freight handlers have also placed suspicion on packaging. Person-to-person transmission hasn’t been ruled out, however, and China has yet to release evidence that packaging was indeed the route of infection.

Trading partners, including the U.S., New Zealand, Canada and the EU, say they’re unclear on China’s methodology and have seen no solid evidence that their products carried the virus. The U.S. has questioned whether China’s crackdown is scientifically based and suggested the bans may amount to an unfair trade barrier.

BEIJING (AP) — China says it has detected the coronavirus on packages of imported frozen food, but how valid are its claims and how serious is the threat to public health?Frozen shrimp imported from an Ecuadorian company was banned for one week on Tuesday in a continuing series of such temporary bans.While experts say the virus can survive for a time on cardboard and plastic containers, it remains unclear how serious a risk that poses. Like so many issues surrounding the pandemic, the matter has swiftly become politicized.China has rejected complaints from the U.S. and others, saying it is putting people’s lives first. Experts say they generally don’t consider the presence of the virus on packaging to be a significant health risk.A look at the issue and some of the conclusions so far:CHINA’S CRACKDOWNPackaging first became a major issue with outbreaks in China linked to wholesale food markets, including one in June on the outskirts of Beijing. That prompted the removal of smoked salmon from supermarket shelves and has snowballed into multiple cases nationwide involving chicken, beef and seafood from nearly two dozen countries. At some supermarkets, imported meat now comes with a sticker declaring it to be virus-free.Infections among freight handlers have also placed suspicion on packaging. Person-to-person transmission hasn’t been ruled out, however, and China has yet to release evidence that packaging was indeed the route of infection.OVERSEAS COMPLAINTSTrading partners, including the U.S., New Zealand, Canada and the EU, say they’re unclear on China’s methodology and have seen no solid evidence that their products carried the virus. The U.S. has questioned whether China’s crackdown is scientifically based and suggested the bans may amount to an unfair trade barrier.Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian called the U.S. accusations “totally groundless and unreasonable.” China’s measures are “necessary following the spirit of putting people’s lives first and protecting people’s health,” he said last week.In a statement to The Associated Press, the World Health Organization said cases of live viruses being found on packaging appear to be “rare and isolated.” While the virus can “survive a long time under cold storage conditions,” there is no evidence of people contracting COVID-19 from consuming food, it said.SURFACE TRANSMISSIONThe virus SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19 is overwhelmingly transmitted through respiratory droplets and smaller sized particles passed through the air, underscoring the importance of mask-wearing.Yet the virus can also be present on surfaces, and public health officials have urged people to wash their hands carefully and avoid physical contact with others. In general, the colder and dryer that conditions are, the longer the virus can survive on surfaces.Wiping down countertops, handrails and other surfaces is a common way to ensure safety. Some people have also gone to the extreme of disinfecting packages brought into their homes, both by themselves or by delivery services.WHAT EXPERTS SAYVirus traces found on packaging can be infectious or non-infectious. The extremely sensitive tests being used can detect both active viruses and their remnants, without being able to distinguish between them, said Timothy Newsome, a virologist at the University of Sydney.“It is possible and may represent some risk, but it’s certainly at the lower end of risk for transmission,” he said. “We know low temperatures do stabilize the virus. Nonetheless, I think things which have been transported and surface transmission — there’s a low risk of it.”A positive test “doesn’t indicate infectious virus, just that some signal from the virus is present on that surface,” said Andrew Pekosz of Johns Hopkins University’s Bloomberg School of Public Health.“I’ve seen no convincing data that SARS-CoV-2 on food packaging poses a significant risk for infection,” he said.___

Coronavirus Update