TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas reported Friday that it saw more than 1,000 new novel coronavirus cases over the previous two days, again giving the state its worst seven-day spike since the pandemic began.
The state has seen a resurgence in reported cases since mid-June that has grown increasingly intense this month. It’s prompted Gov. Laura Kelly to announce plans for delaying the reopening of public K-12 schools until after Labor Day, though the State Board of Education must sign off on such a measure.
The state Department of Health and Environment said Kansas has had a total of 21,965 reported novel coronavirus cases, up 1,032 or 4.9% from Wednesday. The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and people can be infected without feeling sick.
The health department reported no change in the number of COVID-19-related deaths, making it still 299 for the pandemic.
Kansas has seen an increase in 3,354 coronavirus cases during the seven days ending Friday, a jump of 18%. The daily average for new cases during the period was 479.
