Cases of COVID-19 in Allen County have jumped from zero to 23 since June 1, as the state and nation report an increase in cases and low vaccination rates.
A Humboldt child care center, The Growing Place, announced Monday it had to ask several families to quarantine because of exposure to a positive COVID case.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment reported Allen County’s total positive cases since the pandemic began are at 1,297 with 20 deaths.
Allen County’s vaccination rate for those with at least one dose is 43.6%, and for those who have completed the series it is 39.62%. That’s lower than the state’s rates of 53.95% for at least one dose and 47.51% for the series.
“Vaccine is out there and available,” Rebecca Johnson, director of the Southeast Kansas Multi-County Health Departments, said.
The Allen County Health Department carries Moderna (18 years and older) and Johnson & Johnson (18 years and older) and Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas carries Pfizer (12 years and older), Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson.
Johnson recommends:
• Get vaccinated if you are able.
Wear a mask in large gatherings
Social distance
Use good hygiene
Stay home when sick-especially when you think “it’s just allergies”
“We hear a lot of people tell us just that,” Johnson said.
She also offered isolation and quarantine Reminders:
• Those who have tested positive for COVID-19 or who are symptomatic must isolate themselves in their home. If they are symptomatic, it is recommended that they get tested. The person who is ill must isolate themselves in their home, away from others for 10 days from the day of onset of symptoms. On the 11th day, as long as fever free and overall, much better, they may resume normal activities.
• Those who have been exposed to a positive case or someone suspected of having COVID-19 (who does not live in their home) must quarantine themselves in their home away from others for 10 days from last day of exposure to the positive case. On the 11th day, as long as fever free, symptom free and have not tested positive, may resume normal activities.
• Those who live with a person (household contact) who has tested positive must quarantine in their home. When the positive person releases from isolation, the household contact will remain quarantined for 10 more days. The 11th day (all in all, the 21st day), as long as fever free, symptom free, and have not tested positive, the household contact may resume normal activities.
The KDHE is assisting SEK Multi-County Health Department with COVID-19 case investigation and contact tracing.
