COVID Update January 24 2022

Published on January 24, 2022

The Unified Government Public Health Department (UGPHD) announced updates on COVID-19 testing and contact tracing, and provided the latest numbers showing the status of COVID-19 in Wyandotte County.

Report At-Home Test Results Online

The UGPHD launched a new online form where individuals can report results from at-home COVID-19 tests. Please note: this only applies to rapid antigen tests done at home, not testing done at a testing clinic.

To fill out the form, go to wycokck.org/COVID-19, and click on the “Report a Home COVID Test” button.

At-home COVID-19 tests can be purchased over the counter at your local pharmacy, or they can be ordered online. People can also get free COVID at home tests from the federal government (up to 4 free tests per household address). Order free at home testing kits at covidtests.gov.

These at-home tests are different than the PCR tests that are given by hospitals and public health testing sites. It’s very important to follow the directions on your at-home test exactly as they are written.

If you test positive for COVID-19 (from a home test or at a clinic), please stay home for at least five days (and until you feel better and you are fever-free for 24 hours), and wear a mask around others for another five days after that. If you were near anyone while contagious (up to 2 days before symptoms), please let them know they have been exposed to COVID. Learn more about quarantine and isolation guidelines here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/quarantine-isolation.html

Other COVID Testing Info

The UGPHD continues to provide free COVID-19 testing at its testing and vaccination site at the former Kmart, located at 7836 State Avenue. Testing is provided Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. In addition, people can find additional COVID testing sites in Wyandotte County and throughout Kansas by visiting KnowBeforeYouGoKS.com.

You should get tested for COVID-19 if:

• You’re sick
• You’ve been exposed to COVID-19
• You will be traveling
• You are attending a large gathering or event

Remember: it is important to stay home while you wait for your test results, especially if you have any symptoms or you have been exposed to COVID-19.

UGPHD Suspending Contact Tracing

Last week, KDHE announced it would be suspending its contact tracing efforts due to the dramatic increase in case numbers. In compliance with this action, the UGPHD will also suspend its contact tracing efforts at the county level.

The UGPHD will continue to reach out to people who test positive for COVID but will no longer reach out to their close contacts at this time. The UGPHD asks anyone who has tested positive for COVID to reach out to people with whom they have had close contact up to two days before their symptoms began. Please let these individuals know they have been exposed and encourage them to quarantine and get tested five days after exposure.

Higher Grade Masks Recommended for Better Protection

The UGPHD recommends people wear higher grade masks to help stop the spread of COVID in Wyandotte County. High filtration masks such as N95 or KN95 masks are highly recommended because they filter out up to 95% of airborne particles. In addition, this type of mask seals tightly to the face when fitted properly. (Refer to the attached graphic for more details, please). If an N95 or KN95 is not available, double-masking with a cloth mask over a surgical mask can increase protection. Remember: mask quality matters, but any mask worn correctly (covering the nose and mouth) offers more protection than no mask.

The federal government will be making N95s available at local pharmacies. Stay tuned for more information.

The Latest COVID-19 Data for Wyandotte County

• There have been 36,457 confirmed cases and 5,810 probable cases of COVID-19 in Wyandotte County throughout the whole pandemic.
• There have been 438 deaths due to COVID-19 in Wyandotte County.
• The 7-day average: 483 cases per day
• Percent positivity (new method): 33%*
• 59% of Wyandotte County residents have received at least 1 dose of vaccine

• 49% of Wyandotte County residents are fully vaccinated
• Find data, vaccine, and testing info updated each week at wycokck.org/COVID-19

*NOTE: The Unified Government Public Health Department has updated its methodology for calculating the percent of positivity of cases in Wyandotte County. This change better aligns the calculation with the way the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) calculates positivity of cases, so it is easier to compare across communities. Previously, the UGPHD used a method intended to filter out repetitive “retests” for COVID (for example, people who were getting tested shortly after a positive test, attempting to get a negative test so they could return to work). However, as the pandemic continues, this method has become less relevant over time, so UGPHD has adapted its methodology to be consistent with that of KDHE.