KENNEDY: 'I don’t need the public fearful. I need them educated, and I need them to listen.'
By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
Ellis County’s top health official says the current increase in the number of cases of the coronavirus in the county was expected, but County Health Director Jason Kennedy told the Ellis County Commission on Monday people should continue protecting themselves and those around them.
According to Kennedy, Ellis County has seen an increase of 30 positive cases of the coronavirus since July 6.
“It’s in our community. It's not going away,” he said. “Vaccination is the only way to really get rid of a virus. So, until then, we have to make safe, smart choices that allow us to move forward.”
As of Monday, there were 16 active cases of the coronavirus in Hays with 29 people recovered.
Kennedy said that they did not expect to see the number of cases connected to clusters. Of those 30 cases since July 6, 23 of them are connected to four clusters.
The first cluster was connected to the Interstate 70 travel plaza near Topeka. Kennedy said that was connected to a family who stayed in the same home.
Two more clusters were connected to private gatherings on the Fourth of July holiday.
“On the Fourth of July, it was to be expected,” said Kennedy. “People gathered in groups. As you gather in groups, you increase your chances of contracting COVID.”
The fourth cluster identified in Ellis County was at the Good Samaritan Society of Hays.
The long-term care facility announced on Monday that they had completed another round of mass testing of all 61 residents and 64 staff members and only two staff members tested positive. Kennedy said what they are doing is working.
“Thankfully no residents have been impacted, which means that the viral transmission practices that they are utilizing inside that facility are working,” Kennedy said. “That’s a good thing. We want to keep it that way.”
The Good Samaritan Society announced Monday that a second round of mass testing was underway.
Kennedy said because the virus is transmitting person-to-person, health officials are seeing similar events across the state. Approximately 34 percent of all cases and 75 percent of all deaths in Kansas are the result of clusters.
He also added that they have no any spread connected to the sports tournaments that have been held in Hays. In June, the Kansas Department of Heath and Environment said three people associated with tournaments in Hays and Wichita had tested positive for COVID-19 and anyone who attended those should monitor themselves for symptoms.
Kennedy said people are fearful that there is “community spread” of the virus. He said there is community spread in Ellis County
“What do we do about that?” Kennedy said. “Socially distance, you wash your hands, you don’t touch your eyes, nose and mouth, and you avoid contact with people because COVID spreads person-to-person.”
Kennedy once again brought up the topic of masks and again echoed that if you are not able to socially distance in at a large gathering, he recommends people wear masks.
“I will not recommend orders that are based on political decisions,” Kennedy said. “I want them (the public) to trust in me that I’m making orders based on the data and the facts that we have in front of us. That way when I do need a recommendation to the county board of health, that we make a decision for the public, that they will listen and they will follow through with it.”
In the last week, the percentage of positive tests in Ellis County jumped from 0.9 percent to 8 percent. The statewide average 8.7 percent.
Kennedy added that he believes the community is taking the appropriate steps to combat the spread but, as Commissioner Butch Schlyer pointed out, there are events coming up that could cause the number of positive cases to increase.
Among those are the Ellis County Fair, the return of college students to Hays and Octoberfest.
“At some point, you have to make a personal determination on what your risk acceptance is,” Kennedy said. “There cannot be a measure that protects everybody universally. Everyone has to take steps to protect themselves individually.
“I don’t need the public fearful,” said Kennedy. “I need them educated, and I need them to listen.”