Bray updates commission on COVID-19 cases

Cloud County Health Department administrator Brandi Bray presented an update on COVID-19 testing to the Cloud County board of commissioners during its regular meeting on Monday morning.
There have been 58 COVID-19 tests performed since March 17.
Cloud County has had three positive tests reported, with the last one coming on April 6.
Two of the three individuals to have tested positive have recovered. The third is still recovering.
Testing capacity in Cloud County and the surrounding area was expanded by the state of Kansas last week in an effort to mitigate the spread of the virus.
Bray said that there were 20 tests performed in the last week.
The Cloud County Health Department and Cloud County Health Center are now able to perform up to 50 tests per day, five days a week for the next several weeks.
Patients exhibiting symptoms have to schedule an appointment to drive up and have the test done without leaving their vehicle.
With Kansas ranking last in the country in the percentage of residents being tested for COVID-19, state health officials have also expanded the criteria for being tested. Previously it required a patient to have a fever plus two other symptoms related to the virus.
“A person now only has to have two symptoms to get tested,” Bray said.
Those symptoms can include fever, chills, muscle pain, fatigue, headaches, sore throat, lower respiratory illness (cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing), etc.
Anyone experiencing symptoms, or who has been tested, should remain isolated until the tests results are released.
“People want to get tested, but they don't want to do what they need to do,” Bray said, “So the public still needs to stay home if they are not feeling well. They need to distance themselves to try and reduce the spread of this.”
Bray urged area residents to wear masks when out in public and make sure and wash their hands.
“Masks aren't going to help you if you don't wear them,” Bray said, “When people are out in public, the grocery store, Walmart, everybody in the store should be wearing a mask at all times.”
Kansas is currently under a stay-at-home order issued by Governor Laura Kelly. It is set to expire at 11:59 p.m. May 3.
Kelly has announced that she currently does not intend to extend the restrictions in place. She is expected to issue new restrictions for reopening on Tuesday.
Public gatherings will not be prohibited if those in attendance are able to maintain a six foot distance and follow other safety protocols.
County officials continue to work on plans to reopen the local economy.
“We have figured out some things we feel like are going to be pretty good if the order is lifted,” Bray said.
“We don't want to just jump right back into normal because we don't feel like that will do anything, and that will get us right back into same spot we are in now.”