Kiowa County KS Covid-19

11/29/2022

Last week, Kiowa County’s level of Covid risk increased to a medium level due to the number of reported positive cases and the increase in hospital admissions. We are seeing an increase in positive tests here at our office. Please, if you are having ANY viral symptoms, stay home until you are feeling better. We have free testing at our office and free at-home kits for anyone that is interested.

09/01/2022

A bivalent Covid booster was authorized by the FDA and is being discussed during the ACIP meeting today where it is anticipated to be given authorization for use. This booster will provide greater protection against the omicron variant that is currently circulating through the U.S.

With the potential authorization of this bivalent booster, the monovalent booster is no longer authorized for use. The idea of that is: when a better version of the booster is available, why get the one that offers less protection?

We are not able to give either the Pfizer or the Moderna monovalent boosters at this time. We plan on getting the bivalent boosters and will let you all know when they are available.

As always, if you have any questions, please call us at 620-723-2136.

07/18/2022

Covid-19 cases are rising in our communities. We are currently investigating an outbreak involving all ages of individuals. Please be diligent about not going anywhere if you are having symptoms and test if you think you might have it.
We continue to have free tests available at our office.

06/16/2022

Cases continue to increase across Kansas. Kiowa County is in high community transmission currently. Please, stay home if you are having symptoms. We continue to have at-home tests kits available at our office for you to pick up.

06/13/2022

Hi friends! We have seen an increase in positive cases of Covid-19 in Kiowa County recently. Although we cannot give you an exact number of cases (due to the change in investigating), we can tell you that we have had 3 positives just this morning. The most common symptoms have included sinus pain/pressure, headaches, body aches & diarrhea. Free testing is still available at our office and we have free at-home test kits available as well. The main thing to remember is that if you suspect you have Covid-19, please stay home! KDHE recommends 5 days at home with day 1 beginning when you started having symptoms.
Any questions, please ask! 723-2136

05/16/2022

There have been several Kiowa County residents testing positive for Covid-19 in the past few days. The main Symptoms have been headache, sinus pain/pressure/drainage and diarrhea. If you have ANY symptoms, please get tested. We have free test kits available at our office for you to take home.
If you have any questions, please, give us a call at 723-2136.

04/06/2022

https://www.covid.gov/
Kiowa County continues to be in Low Community levels which is great news!
This website has a link to order your FREE covid tests as well as many other resources.

04/01/2022

updates from KDHE

Following FDA and CDC recommendations, KDHE has authorized COVID-19 vaccine providers to offer a 2nd booster dose of either Pfizer or Moderna for individuals aged 50+ and for certain immunocompromised individuals. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3IPtnOV.

Siguiendo las recomendaciones de FDA y los CDC, KDHE ha autorizado a los proveedores de vacunas COVID-19 a ofrecer una segunda dosis de refuerzo de Pfizer o Moderna a las personas mayores de 50 años y a ciertas personas inmunodeprimidas. Visite: https://bit.ly/3IPtnOV.

03/09/2022

A second round of FREE at-home tests is now available. Follow the link to gets your! We also have FREE at-home kits at our office that are available for pick-up.

https://www.covidtests.gov/

Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order 2 sets of 4 free at-⁠home tests. If you already ordered your first set, order a second today.

02/24/2022

Did you know that Kiowa County has 2 FREE Covid-19 testing sites? Kiowa County Health Department is one of them! We have both the rapid tests and PCR's available.
If you want to check for testing locations in other areas, visit https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/280/COVID-19-Testing

02/04/2022

Did you know that you can get tested for Covid-19 at the health department? Call us at 723-2136 for more information!

01/27/2022

The phone number to call to get your 4 free Covid tests is 1-800-242-0233 if you are unable to register online!

01/26/2022

Review this statement about using the currently available therapies to treat COVID-19 in certain nonhospitalized patients.

01/19/2022

We have received a lot of phone calls asking about the new isolation and quarantine guidance. Here is a graphic that hopefully everyone will find helpful.

https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1086/Isolation-Quarantine-Release-Graphic-KS-PDF---11922

We are estimating that we have around 100 active cases in the county currently. Please wear a well fitting mask in public. Testing is still available at the Kiowa County Health Department, Kiowa County Pharmacy, and Kiowa County Memorial Hospital for symptomatic people.

There is short staffing currently at the health department and pharmacy so leave a message and your call will be returned!

01/18/2022

“The responsibility of protecting yourself and others belongs to all of us.” Janet Stanek, Acting Secretary

KDHE Announces Changes to COVID-19 Contact Tracing

01/17/2022

If you are sick, please stay home.
If you think you might be getting sick, please stay home.
If you have a person in your household that is sick, please wear a mask while you’re monitoring yourself for symptoms.
The updated guidance says that isolation/quarantine is 5 days after symptoms start or after your last exposure to a positive person. Then, for an additional 5 days, you are asked to wear a mask while monitoring for symptoms.
Viruses are spreading like wildfire in our area and we all need to take precautions.

01/15/2022

While we don’t have a number of total positives to report, we can tell you that cases are drastically increasing! Within all of our community partners, the Health Department, the hospital, the pharmacy and the school are all seeing a HUGE spike in positive cases. Please, be cautious. If you are sick, stay home & get tested. If you’ve been exposed, limit where you go in the next few days and wear a mask just in case.

A big Thank You to everyone that is self-reporting their positive at home tests! We appreciate you!

01/04/2022

Notice of Changes:
1. Kiowa County Health Department will no longer be contacting positive Covid-19 individuals. KDHE will be handling the case investigation and you will receive a call from a 785 area code phone number. They will discuss the updated guidance with you.
2. Kiowa County Health Department will still be available to answer any questions or concerns you might have, so please call us!
3. We will no longer be posting current case numbers or hospitalizations as we will not have that data to share.
KDHE.ks.gov will have that information for you.