KDHE continues to closely monitor an outbreak of a respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID–19). The outbreak first started in Wuhan, China, but cases have been identified around the world including in the United States. The first case in the United States was announced January 21, 2020. Three new positive cases are announced in Johnson County today.
KDHE Response Activities
• Other labs in the state are beginning to test for COVID-19. These labs are asked to send all results to KDHE. KDHE will continue reporting/announcing results from these labs for Kansas cases.
• KDHE will update its website with the case information daily by noon.
• 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.
• KDHE has a phone-bank operation staffed Monday – Friday, 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m. The phone number is 1-866-534-3463 (1-866-KDHEINF). KDHE also has an email address for general inquiries, [email protected]. Please note these contact numbers are for general questions and cannot provide you with medical evaluations. If you are feeling ill, please stay home and call your healthcare provider.
For more information: www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus
2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Kansas Test Results
Updated 3/16/20 at Noon
Positive (confirmed)
11
(1 death included)
Negative
234
Positive Case Information
County Number
Johnson County
8
Wyandotte County
1
Butler County
1
Franklin County
1
KCC issues emergency order suspending utility disconnects until April 15
Citing emergency declarations by Governor Laura Kelly, President Donald Trump and the World Health Organization, the Kansas Corporation Commission used its emergency powers to issue an order suspending utility disconnects for nonpayment until April 15. The action, taken in a special meeting this morning, will offer relief to those experiencing potential hardship from the COVID-19 virus.
The directive covers all electrical, natural gas, water and telecommunications utilities under the KCC’s jurisdiction, several of which have already voluntarily suspended disconnects. The Commission also encourages those utilities not under its jurisdiction to enact similar practices.
“COVID-19 is an unprecedented challenge, and Kansans may face unexpected or unusual financial difficulties,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “No one should have to worry about losing utility service needed to ensure public safety, which is why I am bringing every resource to bear to make sure everyone stays safe and healthy. Kansans step up in a time of need, and this is more proof.”
The Commission may elect to extend the suspension order in a subsequent order if conditions warrant.
The Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce announces that the following Chamber hosted events will be Postponed or Canceled until further notice up till March 31st, 2020.
Chamber Coffee 3/19 Cancel – Briggs
Chamber Coffee 3/26 Cancel – Smallville CrossFit
Chamber Annual Dinner & Award Celebration originally scheduled on 3/26 – POSTPONEDuntil further notice.
The CDC, in accordance with its guidance for large events and mass gatherings, recommends that for the next eight weeks, organizers (whether groups or individuals) cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States.
Your health and safety will always be our priority!
The Offices of the Fort Scott Chamber & Visitor’s Center will be closed until further notice. Please call the Chamber to speak to Lindsay Madison, Executive Director or Rita Schroeder, Administrative Assistant at 620.223.3566 in regards to Chamber Events or visit our website to view
Fort Scott Public Library will be closed Tuesday, March 17 and will remain closed for an undetermined amount of time in response to the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus).
After reviewing information from local, state, and federal agencies, we believe that temporarily closing the library and preventing the spread of infection may be the best way to serve our community.
We encourage you to keep library materials until the library reopens. If you wish to return materials, please place them in the library’s drop box.
We will renew items as they become due so that you won’t receive overdue notices or lose access to your account. If you do receive an overdue notice, please let us know by email at either [email protected] or [email protected], and we will renew the items.
All library events through April 1st have been cancelled.
We are not accepting book donations at this time.
Library staff encourage patrons to make the most of available online resources. The Library offers free options to download, stream, and learn on your device. See our website: fortscott.mykansaslibrary.org for more information.
We look forward to seeing you soon. Thank you for your continued support of our community and our library.
Conduit for the Craw-Kan Fiber Optic project sits on Uniontown City property on March 7.
Hi-speed internet is coming to Uniontown.
Craw-Kan Telephone Cooperative, Girard, received a broadband internet loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and has been stockpiling conduit and cable in Uniontown since late February 2020.
The new high-speed internet service will be provided to the 350 customers in Uniontown, Craig Wilbert, general manager of Craw-Kan said.
Craig Wilbert, general manager of Craw-Kan Telephone Cooperative.
“There will be no rate change,” Wilbert said.
Craw-Kan crews will be replacing copper lines, then connect to computers, phone, and cable TV, giving access to up to 1,000 gigabits per second.
A landline may be required as a prerequisite for internet service based on geographic location, call the cooperative at 620-724-8235 to check.
The benefits of the new project: getting the fastest available internet in the county, at an affordable rate, Wilbert said.
” Great for students and also makes working from home a reality,” Wilbert said.
The internet service will only be for Craw-Kan Cooperative members.
The Uniontown project will start late spring 2020. “when the weather dries out a bit” and won’t be complete until mid to late 2021, Wilbert said.
The cooperative received a Rural Utilities Services loan which requires contractors to be certified by an engineering company that has demonstrated the ability to complete a project this large. Any contractor meeting this condition can bid on the job, Wilbert said.
Materials are ready for the Uniontown Fiber Optic project.
Fort Scott Fiber Optic Project
Craw-Kan has also been replacing internet copper lines in Fort Scott, in preparation for service there.
Uniontown will all be done at the same time as the Fort Scott project and will be cut over to be in service at the same time, Wilbert said.
“The Fort Scott project is about one-half done,” Wilbert said. “There is a central office on National Avenue where our equipment is.
“The west side of Ft. Scott is nearly complete,” he said.” I anticipate about 12 more months for the rest of the city to be completed. We do it in sections so services will be available in chunks of territories as they are completed.”
Why does a project like this take so long?
” Mainly it is a matter of cost,” Wilbert said. “Ft. Scott will end up being a several million dollar project and the Cooperative simply does not have the financial means to complete a city the size of Ft. Scott in one year. The second reason is the scope of the project. It is similar to replacing every water or electric line in town. We are passing every home and business within the city limits. That’s a lot of fiber to bury! Definitely worth the wait.”
The life expectancy of fiber optic lines is 40 years, Wilbert said.
Spools of optical cable.
Craw-Kan Expanding Business Customers
The projects are the result of declining populations in rural areas nationwide, he said. This was affecting the Craw-Kan business negatively.
“We needed to find new business,” Wilbert said. “We decided to find non-members of the coop, they are strictly customers.”
They received requests from Mound City, St.Paul, Pittsburg and Fort Scott and those projects are completed, he said.
Workers from Bob Hull, Inc., Frankfurt, KS unload fiber optic cable in Uniontown on Feb. 29.
In an effort to explore innovative opportunities for business retention, growth and development, Jody Hoener, Economic Development, recently joined a group of her peers at a “fab lab boot camp” in Independence, Kansas.
Hosted by Fab Lab ICC on the campus of Independence Community College March 3-5, “Maker Space Boot Camp: How to Build A Fab Lab from Ground Zero,” offered insights into the challenges and successes experienced by the organization, as well as its impact on the local economy and community culture since opening in 2014. Named with the abbreviated term for “fabrication laboratory,” Fab Lab ICC is a creative maker-space facility offering tools, technology and education to budding entrepreneurs, students, hobbyists, small business owners and innovators of all ages. The Independence facility emphasizes the integration of entrepreneurial mindset education with the hands-on creative process.
The boot camp attracted economic development professionals and community leaders from across Kansas and Missouri and included presentations by local entrepreneurs and business leaders; facility tours; and interactive “making” sessions allowing participants to experiment with the lab’s production equipment. The group also toured the fab lab’s recently opened expansion building, a 6,400-square-foot-facility offering space for maker equipment, work stations and entrepreneur collaboration.
The maker space boot camp event was facilitated by Fab Lab ICC Director Jim Correll, a longtime entrepreneur coach, and Fab Lab Manager and ICC instructor Tim Haynes.
“The boot camp was an eye-opening experience that solidified the hypothesis that a fab lab can unlock unlimited potential for creativity and entrepreneurial development,” Hoener said. “Moreover, as the Independence community has realized, such a facility ultimately can achieve a positive, sustainable and significant impact on the local economy. The possibilities really are limitless.”
More information on the Fab Lab ICC community boot camp experience and future offerings is available by contacting Correll at 620-252-5349/[email protected].
# # #
About Fab Lab ICC
Fab Lab ICC opened in October 2014 on the campus of Independence Community College in Independence, Kansas. It is a creative “maker” space where students and community members find tools and resources to bring their ideas to life through hands-on production and entrepreneurial education. Fab Lab ICC is a member of the International Fab Lab Network.
Due to COVID-19, Municipal Court, which was to be held on Thursday, March 19th, 2020, will be cancelled and rescheduled. If you are scheduled for court this Thursday, a letter will be mailed to you giving you a new court date. If you have questions, please call 620-223-0550 and ask for the Municipal Court Clerk, Diane Clay.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Please call City Hall if you have questions.
Census Day is April 1, 2020, the formal beginning of the 2020 U.S. Census.All Kansas households will receive an invitation with instructions by mail between March 12th-20th. Data collection continues through July 2020.
The U.S. government uses the population data to help determine how billions of dollars in federal funding flow into states, counties, and communities for ten years. Participation in the 2020 Census ensures your community is represented fairly and receives their share annually.This could mean more funding for your schools, roads and highways, public health, affordable housing programs, and so much more.
Who Should Respond to the Census?EVERYONE! Your participation is important, essential, major, meaningful. How do I respond to the census? The Census Bureau will offer the census form in four ways:
Online: 2020 marks the first year you will have the opportunity to respond to the census online using a computer or smartphone. Online census responses are secure and cost-effective. Not only that, but a user-friendly interface offers help screens and the chance to review your responses before submitting.
Over the telephone: All invitations will provide a toll-free phone number so you may choose to respond to the census from the convenience of your phone.
Using a paper form: You may also wait (until mid-April) to receive a hard copy of your 2020 Census questionnaire. If you choose to respond using the paper form, fill out your questionnaire and drop it off at your mailbox or post office.
By responding to a census enumerator: Census enumerators, also referred to as census takers, conduct non-response follow-ups in an effort to ensure an accurate count. Households that do not respond via online, phone, or mail will be contacted at their residential door by census enumerators for in-person interviews.
The Census Bureau will NOT call or email you.
What questions will be asked on the 2020 Census?The survey is ten questions and takes approximately 10 minutes to complete.
Name
Relationship to householder
Phone number
Household tenure (own/rent)
Age
Number of people in household
Sex
Usual place of residence
Race
Hispanic origin
For more information and insights into the 2020 Census, visit census.gov. Follow us on Facebook (Southwind Extension) and join us Tuesday, March 31stfor Facebook Liveto learn more about the Census, how it is used, and the potential impact on your community.
KDHE issues new recommendations for quarantine and isolation of travelers,
close contacts and those being tested
TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is issuing new guidance today surrounding COVID-19, including travelers, close contacts of confirmed cases and those being tested.
KDHE is now recommending 14-day home quarantine for Kansans who have:
Traveled to a state with known widespread community transmission (currently California, New York and Washington state) on or after March 15.
Visited Eagle, Summit, Pitkin and Gunnison counties in Colorado within the past week.
Traveled on a cruise ship on or after March 15.
People who have previously been told by Public Health to quarantine because of their cruise ship travel should finish out their quarantine.
Traveled internationally on or after March 15.
People who have previously been told by Public Health to quarantine because of their international travel should finish out their quarantine.
Received notification from public health officials (state or local) that you are a close contact of a laboratory-confirmed case of COVID-19. You should quarantine at home for 14 days since your last contact with the case. (A close contact is defined as someone who has been closer than 6 feet for more than 10 minutes while the patient is symptomatic.)
“We know there are a lot of questions and concerns from people,” Dr. Lee Norman, KDHE Secretary, said. “One thing we want to stress is that having contact with someone who may have been exposed to someone who may be a COVID-19 case is not a reason to worry or quarantine yourself. Public health officials will notify you if you are a close contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19.”
There is no need for returning travelers to notify KDHE about their return. Information on COVID-19 cases in the U.S. and states with community transmission can be found at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.
Home Quarantine Guidelines
Those who are under home quarantine should not attend school, work or any other setting where they are not able to maintain at about a 6-foot distance from other people.
If a person under quarantine develops symptoms of COVID-19 during their 14-day quarantine period, including a measured fever of 100.4 (F) or higher and lower respiratory symptoms like coughing or shortness of breath, they should contact their healthcare provider and tell them about their recent travel or other COVID-19 exposure.
Testing for COVID-19
Healthcare providers should evaluate exposure history and symptoms and call KDHE if COVID-19 is suspected. KDHE only approves COVID-19 testing requests from healthcare providers and local health departments.
People who are currently being tested for COVID-19 should remain in home isolation, or hospital isolation if symptoms are severe enough to be hospitalized, until test results are available. If the test result is negative, isolation is no longer required. If test results are positive for COVID-19, the person must remain in isolation until released by public health.
Prevention
There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid spreading the virus and to avoid being exposed to the virus. The virus is thought to spread between people who are within about 6 feet of each other for at least 10 minutes through droplets from coughing and sneezing.
To reduce risk, everyone should:
Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Stay home if you are sick.
Cover coughs and sneezes.
Clean and disinfect surfaces daily.
For more information, please visit the KDHE website at www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus. KDHE has a phone bank that is staffed Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. The phone number is 1-866-534-3463 (1-866-KDHEINF). KDHE also has an email address for general inquiries, [email protected]. Please note these contacts are for general questions and cannot provide you with medical evaluations. If you are feeling ill, please stay home and call your healthcare provider.
