Governor Kelly announces Executive Order to further improve public safety regarding COVID-19 pandemic

Governor Kelly today announced new measures to protect Kansas families from the spread of  COVID-19, the novel coronavirus.

On Tuesday, Governor Kelly will issue an Executive Order limiting mass gatherings to 10 persons. The decision was based on updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and modeling from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) that projected cases of COVID-19 in Kansas to sharply rise to a range of 300 to 900 by the end of the month.

“This is an escalating crisis, and we must make sacrifices and adjustments to ensure the safety of our neighbors,” Kelly said. “We all need to do what we can to reduce the spread of COVID-19.”

The Executive Order to be issued Tuesday also includes a framework counties will be required to use if local officials determine it is necessary to issue stay-at-home orders. The guidance will provide information on how to include these orders for essential infrastructure and businesses.

With 89 Kansas counties without a confirmed case as of today, the Governor does not plan to issue a statewide stay-at-home order at this time.

“The crisis continues to evolve by the hour, and a statewide stay-at-home order may indeed become necessary at some point soon,” Kelly said. “For now, the actions we are taking will ensure as much consistency as possible for local communities.

The Governor also reiterated the need for Kansans to be proactive and work together.

“The most effective way we can slow down the virus is to stay home,” Kelly said. “Continue practicing good hygiene and take all of these orders seriously. These actions will help mitigate the spread of COVID-19, save lives and help us all transition back to our normal routines.”

• This document is updated every afternoon and available on www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus.
• KDHE has created a toolkit of Kansas-specific guidance to help local public health departments engage with their community partners on COVID-19 planning. It can be found on the KDHE website: www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus. New information is added daily.

For more information: www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus
2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Kansas Test Results
Updated 3/23/20 at 10 a.m.

Total Positive Cases
82
Private Labs
47
Kansas Health and Environmental Lab
35
Deaths (included in above numbers)
Johnson and Wyandotte
2
Out-of-State Resident Positive Cases*
(not counted in Kansas numbers)
2

Positive Case Information
County Number
County

Bourbon
1
Linn County
2
Butler County
3
Lyon
2
Cherokee County
2
Mitchell County
2
Douglas County
8
Morris County
2
Franklin
1
Pottawatomie**
1
Jackson County
1
Reno County
2
Johnson County
32
Sedgwick
2
Leavenworth County
5
Wyandotte
16
*Ford and Miami Counties reported positive cases in out-of-state residents.
**The Pottawatomie case was labeled as Riley County’s yesterday. The person was determined to be a resident of Pottawatomie County and the chart is now reflective of that change.

Situation Overview
• This document is updated every afternoon and available on www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus.
• KDHE has created a toolkit of Kansas-specific guidance to help local public health departments engage with their community partners on COVID-19 planning. It can be found on the KDHE website: www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus. New information is added daily.

For more information: www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus
2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Kansas Test Results
Updated 3/22/20 at 10 a.m.

Total Positive Cases
64
Private Labs
34
Kansas Health and Environmental Lab
30
Deaths (included in above numbers)
Johnson and Wyandotte
2
Out-of-State Resident Positive Cases
(not counted in Kansas numbers)
2

Positive Case Information
County Number

Butler County
3
Linn County
1
Cherokee County
1
Mitchell County
1
Douglas County
4
Morris County
2
Franklin
1
Reno County
1
Jackson County
1
Riley County
1
Johnson County
28
Sedgwick
2
Leavenworth County
4
Wyandotte
14
* Ford and Miami Counties reported positive cases in out-of-state residents. Numbers included in cases home states. 2

Guidance for Supporting Families in Accessing Healthy and Safe Child Care During the COVID-19 Outbreak

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is recommending continuity of operations for licensed child care facilities at this time (centers, preschools, day care homes and school age programs). Child care facilities may accept new enrollees in accordance with the terms of their license. However, depending on the unique and changing situations of each community, local public health officers may implement more restrictive guidance and provisions for child care facilities, up to and including closure within their authority and jurisdiction.

Child care providers should direct all questions to their local child care surveyor. Surveyors will coordinate efforts and communication with local public health officials to provide guidance based on the rapidly changing situation at the community level.

“We know this is a stressful time, and especially for families who rely on child care and those whose work circumstances are changing,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “There are a number of child care resources available to help you meet the needs of your family. We’re all in this together and will help families access the support they need.”

KDHE continues to accept and process applications for new child care facilities. Individuals interested in becoming a licensed provider are encouraged to contact their local licensing surveyor. Visit the KDHE Child Care Licensing website and click on Local County Contacts to find the surveyor in your area.

“Child care professionals provide a critical service in our state,” Dr. Lee Norman, KDHE Secretary, said. “They allow parents who are our doctors, nurses, police officers, firefighters and more to respond to this pandemic. Child care facilities have very strict regulations regarding the number of children in the facility as well as health and safety guidelines that must continue to be met.”

For FAQs and guidance regarding child care operations during the pandemic, please visit the KDHE COVID-19 Resource Center website.

Options for families in need of child care

Many working families are facing challenges related to accessing healthy and safe child care during this time. We encourage everyone to assist with supporting families and communities as they work to develop creative solutions to meet the needs of working families.

Child Care Aware of Kansas provides assistance to families searching for licensed child care. They can be reached toll free at 877.678.2548.

KDHE has an online information system that serves as a tool to support families in making informed child care choices and can be used to review compliance history of a current licensed provider. The online tool is an important step to verifying that a facility is licensed and provides compliance history for parents and guardians.

Families that need flexible options or irregular care might consider having someone come into the home. Relatives, older siblings, and friends or neighbors currently not working due to COVID-19 related business closures might be available to help.

Other options for families that need limited care include informal care arranged between friends/neighbors on an irregular basis or someone to provide care in their own home for no more than two children for not more than 20 hours week. None of these options require a license from KDHE.

Situation Overview
• This document is updated every afternoon and available on www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus.
• KDHE has created a toolkit of Kansas-specific guidance to help local public health departments engage with their community partners on COVID-19 planning. It can be found on the KDHE website: www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus. New information is added daily.

For more information: www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus

2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Kansas Test Results
Updated 3/21/20 at 10 a.m.

Total Positive Cases
55
Private Labs
24
Kansas Health and Environmental Lab
31

Deaths (included in above numbers)
Johnson and Wyandotte
2

Out-of-State Resident Positive Cases
(not counted in Kansas numbers)
2
Positive Case Information
County Number

Butler County
2
Linn County
1
Cherokee County
1
Mitchell County
1
Douglas County
1
Morris County
2
Franklin
1
Reno County
1
Jackson County
1
Riley County
1
Johnson County
25
Sedgwick
1
Leavenworth County
4
Wyandotte
13
* Ford and Miami Counties reported positive cases in out-of-state residents. Numbers included in cases home states. 2

Kansas Department of Agriculture Plans for Reduced Staff

Vital Statistics Services to Remain Open, Closed for Walk-In Service

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announces that its Vital Statistics Office functions will continue online and via telephone during the two-week closure of state offices beginning March 23. Walk-in service will not be available during this time.

Those needing vital records can visit the KDHE website at www.kdheks.gov/vital to order via online, phone or mobile app.

Kansas Department of Corrections Plans for Continued Public Safety Services

TOPEKA, Kan. – At the direction of Governor Laura Kelly, the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) announced today which functions of the agency would remain open, and which would close, to help minimize additional risk of exposure to COVID-19.

As the KDOC is a public safety agency, most functions of the agency will remain operational throughout the two-week closure.

“I want to reassure the public that our commitment to the safety of this state will continue,” Jeff Zmuda, KDOC Secretary, said. “We will continue to meet the needs of those that we serve while keeping them and our staff healthy and safe.”

State prisons will continue operations, including most offender programming. Some staff will be working from home and some placed on paid administrative leave, as directed by Kelly.

Parole offices will be closed during this time, but supervision of offenders in the community will continue with staff working remotely.

KDOC’s Central Office will be closed to visitors during this time, but the office’s core services will continue.

For more information and resources related to COVID-19, including symptoms and tips for prevention, visit http://www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus/.