Sep 17, 2020

KDHE suspends COVID-19 cluster reporting

Posted Sep 17, 2020 8:05 PM

By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

After just a week the Kansas Department of Health and Environment has suspended its reporting of COVID-19 clusters in the state. 

Information released Sept. 9 by KDHE included a cluster at Fort Hays State University. A Colby optometrist was also on the list.

KDHE said on its webpage that it would resume cluster reporting on Wednesday, Sept. 23, after a review. 

Hays Post asked the governor about the suspension of the cluster reporting during a Zoom conference with rural hospital leaders Wednesday.

"It was clear from the reaction from not only business itself, but from the general public that it probably created more confusion and wasn't as clear as it needed to be," Kelly said. "We sort of pulled back and are going to try to figure out a way that would provide the information that I think people really need to have.

"I think it is important in the interest of public health to make that information known to the public, but we have to do it in a way that makes sense, it's accurate and it presents the picture as it really is."

Kansas has identified 596 COVID-19 clusters in the state.  

The reporting policy released the locations of clusters of five or more cases. The threshold for businesses was 20 or more cases.

Kelly’s administration has rejected an open records request by Kansas Reflector seeking the name and location of businesses connected to COVID-19 outbreaks of fewer than 20 infections.

Seven business groups, including the Kansas Chamber of Commerce, sent a letter to the governor asking her not to move forward with plans to identify active cases associated with businesses.

In addition to the Kansas Chamber, the letter was sent on behalf of Associated General Contractors of Kansas, Kansas Livestock Association, Kansas Bankers Association, National Federation of Independent Businesses, the Builders Association, and Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce.

"We know people appreciate the transparency and information, and that it allows Kansans to make informed decisions when assessing personal risk," KDHE said on its website. "KDHE staff has taken the feedback we received and is currently assessing ways in which we can report this information in a way that reflects current COVID-19 case increases."