COVID Surge in Wyandotte County

Published on July 15, 2022

Cases and hospitalizations have increased

July 15, 2022 – (Kansas City, KS) – The Unified Government Public Health Department (UGPHD) announced today that Wyandotte County is experiencing a surge in COVID cases. People living in Wyandotte County are encouraged to take precautions to protect themselves and their communities from further spread of the virus.

COVID Data Update

• Wyandotte County has an average of 56 new cases per day (note: this number does not include home test results). Wyandotte County is experiencing the highest 7-day rolling averages of new cases since mid-February 2022, and the current average is 60% higher than the rolling average of new cases per day recorded at this time last year.
  • View the UGPHD’s COVID data hub by visiting wycokck.org/covid-19, and clicking on the COVID Hub button.
• COVID hospitalizations across the metro area have been trending upward since May 2022: https://marc2.org/covidhub/
• According to KDHE data, all new cases in Kansas are the Omicron variant, and the majority of those are the more recent BA.4 and BA.5 lineages of the Omicron variant (https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas). BA.4 and BA.5 are different from earlier lineages of Omicron (such as BA.1.1 and BA.2, which were more prominent earlier this year).

“We consider an average of 50 or more new cases per day to be a surge of COVID in our community, and Wyandotte County just passed that threshold,” said Elizabeth Groenweghe, Chief Epidemiologist with the UGPHD. “With the increased number of people testing at home, we believe actual COVID case numbers may be much higher. As people are planning their summer activities, we encourage them to consider wearing a well-fitting mask in indoor public spaces, monitor for symptoms, get tested if you don’t feel well, and stay home if you are sick. It’s also important to stay up-to-date on your COVID vaccines and boosters to help prevent serious illness and death from COVID.”

“Taking precautions is especially important now, with the current COVID variants we are seeing,” said Groenweghe. “There are new subvariants, or 'lineages' of the Omicron variant that make up the majority of our cases now. Recent data shows that these are different enough that they evade natural and vaccine-produced immunity. This means that people can become reinfected even if they've recently had COVID or been vaccinated. Because of this, masks are very important. Vaccines do help protect against serious illness and death from COVID.”

What People in Wyandotte County Can Do

As individuals and families plan the rest of their summer activities, here are some steps they can take to reduce the risk of getting COVID and spreading COVID to others:

• Consider wearing a mask in indoor public spaces. This protection is especially important if you or someone near you is at high-risk for serious illness from COVID. Any well-fitting mask worn over the nose and mouth can help reduce spread of the virus, but higher-grade masks and respirators, like N95s and KN95s, offer the best protection.
• Get tested if you have any COVID symptoms, if you have been exposed to COVID, if you will be traveling, or if you are attending a large indoor gathering/event.
  • Find a testing location near you at bit.ly/WyCoCOVIDtest or at KnowBeforeYouGoKS.com
  • Order free home test kits to be mailed to you at COVID.gov and AccessCovidTests.org.
  • Find free home test kits available for pick-up now in Wyandotte County: ughealth.info/hometest
  • Please note: The UG Public Health Department does not administer COVID tests at this time.
• Stay home if you are sick. If you have symptoms, or if you test positive for COVID, please stay home for at least 5 days. After isolating at home for 5 days, you may leave home if you are feeling better and fever-free, but please wear a mask for another 5 days when around others.
• Take precautions if you are exposed to COVID:
  • If you recently got your first vaccination series, or if you have gotten your booster: wear a mask for 10 days; monitor for symptoms, and get tested after 5 days.
  • If you are unvaccinated, or you’re overdue for your second dose or a booster: stay home for 5 days and get tested after 5 days; wear a mask for 5 more days.
• Get vaccinated. If you haven’t received a COVID vaccine, consider getting vaccinated to protect yourself from serious illness or death from COVID. COVID vaccines are recommended for anyone age 6 months and older.
  • Search for vaccination sites near you at COVID.gov
  • The UGPHD site at 619 Ann Ave in KCK offers COVID vaccines and boosters for people ages 5 and older, by appointment only. Call 913-573-8815 to make an appointment.
  • Note: For children under age 5, contact your pediatrician or primary healthcare provider. If you need help finding a provider, call the UGPHD for assistance at 913-573-8815.
• Stay up-to-date on COVID vaccines and boosters. Use the CDC’s “Find Out When You Can Get Your Booster” tool to see if you are up-to-date on COVID vaccines and boosters: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html#when-you-can-get-booster

Learn more about vaccines, testing, and the latest COVID guidance at COVID.gov.