BY JUSTIN SABATA
There are reported inconsistencies in the information provided by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment in regards to COVID cases. On Monday, the Ellis County Health Department released a press release stating case information given by the KDHE is not as timely or consistent as the ECHD.
“Due to the inability of KDHE to provide relevant, up-to-date data, discrepancies in reports exist,” the statement said.
Included in these discrepancies is ECHD reporting 412 total cases as opposed to KDHE’s reported 417 since the pandemic began.
Ellis County reported 78 new COVID cases from the past week — 38 from over the weekend — with 179 cases currently being monitored. The weekly percent-of-positives rate is at 22.1% with the overall rate (since testing began) at 10%. Since Friday, there have been two additional hospitalizations.
The department also announced that new case information will be reported at 10 am for the foreseeable future. These reports – typically on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays – were usually given in the afternoons.
The ECHD warns that the information will not always be the same as KDHE and encourages residents to use the Ellis County COVID-19 Portal.
The following is a list of recommendations from Monday’s ECHD press release:
- Do NOT gather in groups.
- Do social distance.
- Do wash your hands frequently.
- Do wear a mask if you cannot socially distance.
- Do isolate immediately if you are feeling ill.
- Do call your doctor for questions regarding your symptoms and testing.
- Do continue to protect yourself, your loved ones and the community.