WATCH LIVE: Shawnee County Health Department gives coronavirus update
TOPEKA, Kan. (KSNT) - The Shawnee County Health Department is holding a news conference Thursday after it reported a sharp increase in the number of coronavirus cases across the county. The news conference is expected to start at 1:30 p.m. You can watch live in the video player below or click here. Health department director [...]
TOPEKA, Kan. (KSNT) - The Shawnee County Health Department is holding a news conference Thursday after it reported a sharp increase in the number of coronavirus cases across the county.
The news conference is expected to start at 1:30 p.m. You can watch live in the video player below or click here.
Health department director Linda Ochs said they have maxed out capacity when it comes to testing. She said last week, they saw 627 positive cases and this week saw 609 positive cases and the week isn't over yet. Ochs said they can no longer contact everyone who's received a positive test.
She said if you do get a positive test, you need to stay home for 10 days and isolate from family if possible.
Stormont Vail Health Robert Kenagy said the hospital has 73 patients that have tested positive for the coronavirus, which he said is another all-time high.
On Wednesday, KSNT learned Stormont Vail is making changes within the next week because of the rising number of cases including canceling some elective surgeries and moving some employees to work in areas outside of their normal role.
"This virus is spreading uncontrolled in our communities," Kenagy said during the news conference.
He also said they've been approved for a new antibody drug that can be delivered to those who potentially have the virus and most likely would require hospitalization. Details on that will be released later.
Steve Anderson, University of Kansas Health System St. Francis Campus CEO, said they've been able to bring in 12 additional nurses from out of the area to help at the hospital during this time.
Anderson said St. Francis has 19 coronavirus positive patients at the hospital which he said is far higher than they've been averaging. The good news, he said, is the hospital is well-stocked on personal protective equipment (PPE).