
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — More Reno County residents are being vaccinated.

According to Thursday information from the Reno County dashboard, 18,549 Reno County residents have received at least one dose of vaccine. That's 29.71% of the county's population.

The gating criteria for Reno County schools remains in the green for the coming week, with a positive test rate of 5.2% and a 14-day new case total of 23 as of Thursday.

The case count in the county is back up to 22 as of Thursday. It was as low as 9 earlier in the week.

138 people have had their deaths classified as COVID-related. Three of those deaths have occurred in the last 30 days.

Out of 7,775 total cases since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 7,615 recoveries. There are 8 clusters still being monitored. None of the cluster types have documented cases currently visible on the dashboard.

Two Reno County residents are in the hospital with COVID-19. There have been 371 hospitalizations total and 104 ICU admissions.

Daily vaccinations continue at the First United Methodist Church clinic, 101 East First Avenue, with the Moderna two-shot vaccine series. The Reno County Health Department will also be hosting a clinic for the Johnson &amp; Johnson single-dose vaccine on Wednesday, April 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hutchinson Sports Arena. 

Register for the clinic <a href="https://forms.renogov.org/rchd/covid19-registration/">online</a>, or call 620-694-2900 and select option 6.

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HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — More Reno County residents are being vaccinated.According to Thursday information from the Reno County dashboard, 18,549 Reno County residents have received at least one dose of vaccine. That's 29.71% of the county's population.The gating criteria for Reno County schools remains in the green for the coming week, with a positive test rate of 5.2% and a 14-day new case total of 23 as of Thursday.The case count in the county is back up to 22 as of Thursday. It was as low as 9 earlier in the week.138 people have had their deaths classified as COVID-related. Three of those deaths have occurred in the last 30 days.Out of 7,775 total cases since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 7,615 recoveries. There are 8 clusters still being monitored. None of the cluster types have documented cases currently visible on the dashboard.Two Reno County residents are in the hospital with COVID-19. There have been 371 hospitalizations total and 104 ICU admissions.Daily vaccinations continue at the First United Methodist Church clinic, 101 East First Avenue, with the Moderna two-shot vaccine series. The Reno County Health Department will also be hosting a clinic for the Johnson &amp; Johnson single-dose vaccine on Wednesday, April 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hutchinson Sports Arena. Register for the clinic <a href="https://forms.renogov.org/rchd/covid19-registration/">online</a>, or call 620-694-2900 and select option 6.

Schools still in the green, vaccinations just under 30 percent


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — Reno County's COVID-19 case count is below ten as of Tuesday.

According to the Reno County dashboard, there are just nine remaining active cases in the county. The last time we were at nine cases was July 1, 2020.

137 people have had their deaths classified as COVID-related. Just two of those deaths have occurred in the last 30 days.

Out of 7,762 total cases since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 7,616 recoveries. There are 8 clusters still being monitored. None of the cluster types have documented cases currently visible on the dashboard.

One Reno County resident is in the hospital with COVID-19. There have been 370 hospitalizations total and 103 ICU admissions.

Daily vaccinations continue at the First United Methodist Church clinic, 101 East First Avenue, with the Moderna two-shot vaccine series. The Reno County Health Department also will be hosting a clinic for the Johnson &amp; Johnson single-dose vaccine on Wednesday, April 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hutchinson Sports Arena. 

Register for the clinic <a href="https://forms.renogov.org/rchd/covid19-registration/registration/start">online</a> or call 620-694-2900 and select option 6.

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612786086400.jpeg" alt="" />
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HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — Reno County's COVID-19 case count is below ten as of Tuesday.According to the Reno County dashboard, there are just nine remaining active cases in the county. The last time we were at nine cases was July 1, 2020.137 people have had their deaths classified as COVID-related. Just two of those deaths have occurred in the last 30 days.Out of 7,762 total cases since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 7,616 recoveries. There are 8 clusters still being monitored. None of the cluster types have documented cases currently visible on the dashboard.One Reno County resident is in the hospital with COVID-19. There have been 370 hospitalizations total and 103 ICU admissions.Daily vaccinations continue at the First United Methodist Church clinic, 101 East First Avenue, with the Moderna two-shot vaccine series. The Reno County Health Department also will be hosting a clinic for the Johnson &amp; Johnson single-dose vaccine on Wednesday, April 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Hutchinson Sports Arena. Register for the clinic <a href="https://forms.renogov.org/rchd/covid19-registration/registration/start">online</a> or call 620-694-2900 and select option 6.

COVID-19 case count now below ten in Reno County, vaccinations continue

BOSTON (AP) — New research suggests the protection the Moderna vaccine gives against COVID-19 lasts for at least six months.

The report Tuesday in the New England Journal of Medicine echoes what Pfizer said last week about its vaccine, which works in a similar way.

Both reports were based on follow-up tests in dozens of people who received the shots during studies that led to the vaccines’ use. Those studies were done before troubling new variants, or versions of the coronavirus, had emerged and started to spread.

A separate report in the medical journal adds to concern about the variants. Scientists measured antibodies that can block the virus in 50 people who had been given the Sinopharm or Sinovac vaccines that were developed in China. Many showed total or partial loss of effectiveness against a virus variant first detected in South Africa.

The vaccines still seemed to protect against a variant first found in the United Kingdom that is now rapidly spreading in the United States and elsewhere.

Pfizer and Moderna have said they are working to update their vaccines, or possibly design a booster shot, in case they’re needed against variants.

<figure>
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 </figure>BOSTON (AP) — New research suggests the protection the Moderna vaccine gives against COVID-19 lasts for at least six months.The report Tuesday in the New England Journal of Medicine echoes what Pfizer said last week about its vaccine, which works in a similar way.Both reports were based on follow-up tests in dozens of people who received the shots during studies that led to the vaccines’ use. Those studies were done before troubling new variants, or versions of the coronavirus, had emerged and started to spread.A separate report in the medical journal adds to concern about the variants. Scientists measured antibodies that can block the virus in 50 people who had been given the Sinopharm or Sinovac vaccines that were developed in China. Many showed total or partial loss of effectiveness against a virus variant first detected in South Africa.The vaccines still seemed to protect against a variant first found in the United Kingdom that is now rapidly spreading in the United States and elsewhere.Pfizer and Moderna have said they are working to update their vaccines, or possibly design a booster shot, in case they’re needed against variants.___

Study: Moderna vaccine lasts at least 6 months

Pfizer announced Wednesday that its COVID-19 vaccine is safe and strongly protective in kids as young as 12, a step toward possibly beginning shots in this age group before they head back to school in the fall.

Most COVID-19 vaccines being rolled out worldwide are for adults, who are at higher risk from the coronavirus. Pfizer’s vaccine is authorized for ages 16 and older. But vaccinating children of all ages will be critical to stopping the pandemic — and helping schools, at least the upper grades, start to look a little more normal after months of disruption.

In a study of 2,260 U.S. volunteers ages 12 to 15, preliminary data showed there were no cases of COVID-19 among fully vaccinated adolescents compared to 18 among those given dummy shots, Pfizer reported.

It’s a small study, that hasn’t yet been published, so another important piece of evidence is how well the shots revved up the kids’ immune systems. Researchers reported high levels of virus-fighting antibodies, somewhat higher than were seen in studies of young adults.

Kids had side effects similar to young adults, the company said. The main side effects are pain, fever, chills and fatigue, particularly after the second dose. The study will continue to track participants for two years for more information about long-term protection and safety.

Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech in the coming weeks plan to ask the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and European regulators to allow emergency use of the shots starting at age 12.

“We share the urgency to expand the use of our vaccine,” Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said in a statement. He expressed “the hope of starting to vaccinate this age group before the start of the next school year” in the United States.

Pfizer isn’t the only company seeking to lower the age limit for its vaccine. Results also are expected soon from a U.S. study of Moderna’s vaccine in 12- to 17-year-olds.

But in a sign that the findings were promising, the FDA already allowed both companies to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-news-pandemics-coronavirus-pandemic-coronavirus-vaccine-3c2490cd1bef6221c9b33146fee0fe4c">begin U.S. studies&nbsp;</a>in children 11 and younger, working their way to as young as 6-month-old.

AstraZeneca last month began a study of its vaccine among 6- to 17-year-olds in Britain. Johnson &amp; Johnson is planning its own pediatric studies. And in China, Sinovac recently announced it has submitted preliminary data to Chinese regulators showing its vaccine is safe in children as young as 3.

While most COVID-19 vaccines being used globally were first tested in tens of thousands of adults, pediatric studies won’t need to be nearly as large. Scientists have safety information from those studies and from subsequent vaccinations in millions more adults.

One key question is the dosage: Pfizer gave the 12-and-older participants the same dose adults receive, while testing different doses in younger children.

It’s not clear how quickly the FDA would act on Pfizer’s request to allow vaccination starting at age 12. Another question is when the country would have enough supply of shots — and people to get them into adolescents’ arms — to let kids start getting in line.

Supplies are set to steadily increase over the spring and summer, at the same time states are opening vaccinations to younger, healthier adults who until now haven’t had a turn.

Children represent about 13% of COVID-19 cases documented in the U.S. And while children are far less likely than adults to get seriously ill, at least 268 have died from COVID-19 in the U.S. alone and more than 13,500 have been hospitalized, according to a tally by the American Academy of Pediatrics. That’s more than die from the flu in an average year. Additionally, a small number have developed a serious inflammatory condition linked to the coronavirus.

Caleb Chung, who turns 13 later this week, agreed to volunteer after his father, a Duke University pediatrician, presented the option. He doesn’t know if he received the vaccine or a placebo.

“Usually I’m just at home doing online school and there’s not much I can really do to fight back against the virus,” Caleb said in a recent interview. The study “was really somewhere that I could actually help out.”

His father, Dr. Richard Chung, said he’s proud of his son and all the other children volunteering for the needle pricks, blood tests and other tasks a study entails.

“We need kids to do these trials so that kids can get protected. Adults can’t do that for them,” Chung said.

By LAURAN NEERGAARD, Associated PressPfizer announced Wednesday that its COVID-19 vaccine is safe and strongly protective in kids as young as 12, a step toward possibly beginning shots in this age group before they head back to school in the fall.Most COVID-19 vaccines being rolled out worldwide are for adults, who are at higher risk from the coronavirus. Pfizer’s vaccine is authorized for ages 16 and older. But vaccinating children of all ages will be critical to stopping the pandemic — and helping schools, at least the upper grades, start to look a little more normal after months of disruption.In a study of 2,260 U.S. volunteers ages 12 to 15, preliminary data showed there were no cases of COVID-19 among fully vaccinated adolescents compared to 18 among those given dummy shots, Pfizer reported.It’s a small study, that hasn’t yet been published, so another important piece of evidence is how well the shots revved up the kids’ immune systems. Researchers reported high levels of virus-fighting antibodies, somewhat higher than were seen in studies of young adults.Kids had side effects similar to young adults, the company said. The main side effects are pain, fever, chills and fatigue, particularly after the second dose. The study will continue to track participants for two years for more information about long-term protection and safety.Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech in the coming weeks plan to ask the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and European regulators to allow emergency use of the shots starting at age 12.“We share the urgency to expand the use of our vaccine,” Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said in a statement. He expressed “the hope of starting to vaccinate this age group before the start of the next school year” in the United States.Pfizer isn’t the only company seeking to lower the age limit for its vaccine. Results also are expected soon from a U.S. study of Moderna’s vaccine in 12- to 17-year-olds.But in a sign that the findings were promising, the FDA already allowed both companies to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-news-pandemics-coronavirus-pandemic-coronavirus-vaccine-3c2490cd1bef6221c9b33146fee0fe4c">begin U.S. studies&nbsp;</a>in children 11 and younger, working their way to as young as 6-month-old.AstraZeneca last month began a study of its vaccine among 6- to 17-year-olds in Britain. Johnson &amp; Johnson is planning its own pediatric studies. And in China, Sinovac recently announced it has submitted preliminary data to Chinese regulators showing its vaccine is safe in children as young as 3.ADVERTISEMENTWhile most COVID-19 vaccines being used globally were first tested in tens of thousands of adults, pediatric studies won’t need to be nearly as large. Scientists have safety information from those studies and from subsequent vaccinations in millions more adults.One key question is the dosage: Pfizer gave the 12-and-older participants the same dose adults receive, while testing different doses in younger children.It’s not clear how quickly the FDA would act on Pfizer’s request to allow vaccination starting at age 12. Another question is when the country would have enough supply of shots — and people to get them into adolescents’ arms — to let kids start getting in line.Supplies are set to steadily increase over the spring and summer, at the same time states are opening vaccinations to younger, healthier adults who until now haven’t had a turn.Children represent about 13% of COVID-19 cases documented in the U.S. And while children are far less likely than adults to get seriously ill, at least 268 have died from COVID-19 in the U.S. alone and more than 13,500 have been hospitalized, according to a tally by the American Academy of Pediatrics. That’s more than die from the flu in an average year. Additionally, a small number have developed a serious inflammatory condition linked to the coronavirus.Caleb Chung, who turns 13 later this week, agreed to volunteer after his father, a Duke University pediatrician, presented the option. He doesn’t know if he received the vaccine or a placebo.“Usually I’m just at home doing online school and there’s not much I can really do to fight back against the virus,” Caleb said in a recent interview. The study “was really somewhere that I could actually help out.”His father, Dr. Richard Chung, said he’s proud of his son and all the other children volunteering for the needle pricks, blood tests and other tasks a study entails.“We need kids to do these trials so that kids can get protected. Adults can’t do that for them,” Chung said.___

Pfizer: COVID-19 vaccine effective in kids ages 12 to 15


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
The active case count in Reno County is at its lowest level since last summer. 

According to the Tuesday report from the Reno County dashboard, there are just 17 active cases of COVID-19 in Reno County. 

The last time the active case count was at 17 was July 3, 2020. 

139 people have had their deaths classified as COVID-related. Just two of those deaths have occurred in the last 30 days.

Out of 7,749 total cases since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 7,593 recoveries. There are 8 clusters still being monitored. None of the cluster types have documented cases currently visible on the dashboard.

Two Reno County residents are in the hospital with COVID-19. There have been 368 hospitalizations total and 103 ICU admissions.

Drive-thru testing is currently available at the Kansas Cosmosphere at 1100 N Plum in Hutchinson.

The site is open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. To make an appointment, please visit <a href="https://www.gogettested.com/">www.gogettested.com</a>.

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HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
The active case count in Reno County is at its lowest level since last summer. According to the Tuesday report from the Reno County dashboard, there are just 17 active cases of COVID-19 in Reno County. The last time the active case count was at 17 was July 3, 2020. 139 people have had their deaths classified as COVID-related. Just two of those deaths have occurred in the last 30 days.Out of 7,749 total cases since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 7,593 recoveries. There are 8 clusters still being monitored. None of the cluster types have documented cases currently visible on the dashboard.Two Reno County residents are in the hospital with COVID-19. There have been 368 hospitalizations total and 103 ICU admissions.Drive-thru testing is currently available at the Kansas Cosmosphere at 1100 N Plum in Hutchinson.The site is open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. To make an appointment, please visit <a href="https://www.gogettested.com/">www.gogettested.com</a>.

Active cases of COVID-19 Tuesday at 17, lowest since July 3, 2020


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — Karen Hammersmith with the Reno County Health Department made it clear that vaccinations are available to those 16 and over in Reno County, but those under 18 can only get one of the approved shots.

"Reno County does not have the Pfizer, which is the only vaccine approved for those that are 16 and over," Hammersmith said. "On our website, we don't have that available."

Reno County has mostly Moderna, but also a few Johnson and Johnson shots, but the distribution of vaccines from the state level down has changed in recent weeks, according to the Health Department's Karla Nichols.

"In past months, they supplied us, the Health Department, the vaccine and then we distributed it out to the Hutch Clinic, Prairie Star and any other vaccine providers," Nichols said. "Two weeks ago, they changed that. Now, they are sending it to us individually. I think, collectively, as a group, it's still about the amount or a little more than we have been receiving. I just can't for sure say that at this point."

They're also having data analyst D.J. Gering study where people who have gotten the shot are from.

"We also look at his assistance on where we can take vaccine to those different populations to increase the vaccine rates, to lessen any disparity and to make sure we have equality."

They plan to take vaccine clinics to outlying communities based on that data in the coming weeks.

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613693226012.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>
By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — Karen Hammersmith with the Reno County Health Department made it clear that vaccinations are available to those 16 and over in Reno County, but those under 18 can only get one of the approved shots."Reno County does not have the Pfizer, which is the only vaccine approved for those that are 16 and over," Hammersmith said. "On our website, we don't have that available."Reno County has mostly Moderna, but also a few Johnson and Johnson shots, but the distribution of vaccines from the state level down has changed in recent weeks, according to the Health Department's Karla Nichols."In past months, they supplied us, the Health Department, the vaccine and then we distributed it out to the Hutch Clinic, Prairie Star and any other vaccine providers," Nichols said. "Two weeks ago, they changed that. Now, they are sending it to us individually. I think, collectively, as a group, it's still about the amount or a little more than we have been receiving. I just can't for sure say that at this point."They're also having data analyst D.J. Gering study where people who have gotten the shot are from."We also look at his assistance on where we can take vaccine to those different populations to increase the vaccine rates, to lessen any disparity and to make sure we have equality."They plan to take vaccine clinics to outlying communities based on that data in the coming weeks.
<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK
HERE</a>&nbsp;to
download the Hutch Post mobile app. 
<a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK
HERE</a>&nbsp;to
sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.

County does not have Pfizer vaccine, is still looking to equalize distribution


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — Prairie Star Health Clinic is offering the Moderna vaccine to all adults 18 and over March 30th&nbsp;thru April 2nd&nbsp;from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Any one can simply walk in, fill out paperwork and get their vaccine.

This is first come, first served until the vaccine is gone.

This effort joins <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/ad894bd6-d598-45fc-9e55-7c2a19760bb7">that of the Reno County Health Department and local pharmacies as the state is now in Phase 5 of vaccine distribution.</a>

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HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — Prairie Star Health Clinic is offering the Moderna vaccine to all adults 18 and over March 30th&nbsp;thru April 2nd&nbsp;from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.Any one can simply walk in, fill out paperwork and get their vaccine.This is first come, first served until the vaccine is gone.This effort joins <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/ad894bd6-d598-45fc-9e55-7c2a19760bb7">that of the Reno County Health Department and local pharmacies as the state is now in Phase 5 of vaccine distribution.</a>

Prairie Star taking walk ins for COVID-19 vaccine until its gone


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — The positive test rate number for Reno County continues to improve. 

According to information on the Reno County dashboard Thursday, the 14-day positive test rate as of March 21 was down to just 2.5%, with a 14-day new case total of just 16, so schools will remain in the green for the coming week. The last time we saw comparable numbers was last June.

There are 53 active cases in Reno County as of Thursday. 139 people have had their deaths classified as COVID-related. Just two of those deaths have occurred in the last 30 days.

Out of 7,741 total cases since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 7,549 recoveries. There are 8 clusters still being monitored. None of the cluster types have documented cases currently visible on the dashboard.

Three Reno County residents are in the hospital with COVID-19. There have been 368 hospitalizations total and 103 ICU admissions.

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 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — The positive test rate number for Reno County continues to improve. According to information on the Reno County dashboard Thursday, the 14-day positive test rate as of March 21 was down to just 2.5%, with a 14-day new case total of just 16, so schools will remain in the green for the coming week. The last time we saw comparable numbers was last June.There are 53 active cases in Reno County as of Thursday. 139 people have had their deaths classified as COVID-related. Just two of those deaths have occurred in the last 30 days.Out of 7,741 total cases since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 7,549 recoveries. There are 8 clusters still being monitored. None of the cluster types have documented cases currently visible on the dashboard.Three Reno County residents are in the hospital with COVID-19. There have been 368 hospitalizations total and 103 ICU admissions.Drive-thru testing is currently available at the Kansas Cosmosphere at 1100 N Plum in Hutchinson.The site is open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. To make an appointment, please visit <a href="https://www.gogettested.com/">www.gogettested.com</a>.

Positive test rate number down, schools still in the green


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — With the State of Kansas extending its disaster declaration on Wednesday, it's time for an extension to the local order in Reno County to come up before the Board of County Commissioners again. Reno County Emergency Management Director Adam Weishaar plans to have that on the agenda for the commission's March 30 meeting.

"The disaster declaration, what that does is it opens up assistance from the state and federal governments as well as some reimbursement in the future for us," Weishaar said.

This would be the fifth extension of the declaration, which originally went into place on March 19, 2020.

"The idea would be to extend it out for about three months, push it out to the end of June," Weishaar said. "I truly believe that we'll be in a better place. We'll have a bunch of vaccination out there. I would like to think that everyone who wants a vaccine will have been able to receive that vaccine by then."

The hope is to get to the point where they won't need supplies or reimbursement and that they can let the emergency end there.

"Every single time I've ever gone to the Board of Reno County Commissioners and requested a disaster declaration, they have not really given any pushback," Weishaar said. "They understand there's a need for it and understand that really the only thing it's doing for us is benefiting us, benefiting the residents of the county and making supplies available, as well as some sort of federal reimbursement if it comes available to us. It never hurts us to have a disaster declaration in place, but it can hurt us if we choose not to have one."

The intent of Tuesday's agenda item is to extend the date to June 30, 2021.

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 </figure>
By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — With the State of Kansas extending its disaster declaration on Wednesday, it's time for an extension to the local order in Reno County to come up before the Board of County Commissioners again. Reno County Emergency Management Director Adam Weishaar plans to have that on the agenda for the commission's March 30 meeting."The disaster declaration, what that does is it opens up assistance from the state and federal governments as well as some reimbursement in the future for us," Weishaar said.This would be the fifth extension of the declaration, which originally went into place on March 19, 2020."The idea would be to extend it out for about three months, push it out to the end of June," Weishaar said. "I truly believe that we'll be in a better place. We'll have a bunch of vaccination out there. I would like to think that everyone who wants a vaccine will have been able to receive that vaccine by then."The hope is to get to the point where they won't need supplies or reimbursement and that they can let the emergency end there."Every single time I've ever gone to the Board of Reno County Commissioners and requested a disaster declaration, they have not really given any pushback," Weishaar said. "They understand there's a need for it and understand that really the only thing it's doing for us is benefiting us, benefiting the residents of the county and making supplies available, as well as some sort of federal reimbursement if it comes available to us. It never hurts us to have a disaster declaration in place, but it can hurt us if we choose not to have one."The intent of Tuesday's agenda item is to extend the date to June 30, 2021.

Weishaar will bring disaster declaration extension to commission

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Monday update from the Reno County dashboard shows the case count in the county at 52. 

Out of 7,736 total cases since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 7,547 recoveries. There are 8 clusters still being monitored. None of the cluster types have documented cases currently visible on the dashboard.

Three Reno County residents are in the hospital with COVID-19. There have been 367 hospitalizations total and 103 ICU admissions. 137 Reno County residents deaths are attributed to the pandemic.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612955384439.png" alt="" />
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 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Monday update from the Reno County dashboard shows the case count in the county at 52. Out of 7,736 total cases since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 7,547 recoveries. There are 8 clusters still being monitored. None of the cluster types have documented cases currently visible on the dashboard.Three Reno County residents are in the hospital with COVID-19. There have been 367 hospitalizations total and 103 ICU admissions. 137 Reno County residents deaths are attributed to the pandemic.Drive-thru testing is currently available at the Kansas Cosmosphere at 1100 N Plum in Hutchinson.The site is open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. To make an appointment, please visit <a href="https://www.gogettested.com/">www.gogettested.com</a>.

Case count down to 52, still no cluster connected cases as of Monday


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — District 34 State Senator Dr. Mark Steffen testified Monday before the Senate Public Health and Welfare committee on Senate Bill 212. The bill's intent is not to require children to be vaccinated for COVID-19. Steffen doesn't believe in that population the reward is worth the risk.

"It protects our children from a vaccine that has a morbidity and mortality profile equal to or higher than the COVID-19 virus itself, for sure in this age group of people," Steffen said. 

As of the time of Steffen's testimony on Monday, none of the vaccines approved for adults in the United States have been approved for use in children.

"It's a vaccine that is experimental, a vaccine that is gene manipulative, a technique never used before," Steffen said. "It's long term dangers won't be known for decades."

Steffen wants to be sure that recommendations are policy, rather than mandates as much as possible.

"Don't get me wrong," Steffen said. "Used appropriately, vaccines are a great, great thing. As a physician, I've recommended them to many an individual. Recommend is the key. As a physician myself, I've never once mandated a treatment, nor has any of the other doctors who will show up later, like Dr. Eplee. He's never mandated a treatment plan. The CDC, FDA, NIH and World Health Organization recommend vaccinations for society. Why in the world would we allow Lee Norman to mandate anything?"

Secretary Norman spoke in opposition to the bill, mainly wanting to keep the regulation open-ended so they can adjust as more is learned about vaccines generally.

"I think it's important and we think it's important that vaccines remain in regulation in KAR 28-1-20, rather than listed in statutes, in order to support timely response to changes in ACIP recommendations," Norman said. "A new vaccine may be recommended by the ACIP, or it may be one, because of new findings, where it may be recommended to be removed. In either case, we want to act quickly."

ACIP is the CDCs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Any time a new vaccine is to be added to the mandatory list, it needs to be on the list by February to be able to be in arms by August to start school.

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By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — District 34 State Senator Dr. Mark Steffen testified Monday before the Senate Public Health and Welfare committee on Senate Bill 212. The bill's intent is not to require children to be vaccinated for COVID-19. Steffen doesn't believe in that population the reward is worth the risk."It protects our children from a vaccine that has a morbidity and mortality profile equal to or higher than the COVID-19 virus itself, for sure in this age group of people," Steffen said. As of the time of Steffen's testimony on Monday, none of the vaccines approved for adults in the United States have been approved for use in children."It's a vaccine that is experimental, a vaccine that is gene manipulative, a technique never used before," Steffen said. "It's long term dangers won't be known for decades."Steffen wants to be sure that recommendations are policy, rather than mandates as much as possible."Don't get me wrong," Steffen said. "Used appropriately, vaccines are a great, great thing. As a physician, I've recommended them to many an individual. Recommend is the key. As a physician myself, I've never once mandated a treatment, nor has any of the other doctors who will show up later, like Dr. Eplee. He's never mandated a treatment plan. The CDC, FDA, NIH and World Health Organization recommend vaccinations for society. Why in the world would we allow Lee Norman to mandate anything?"<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1616423873913.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Secretary Norman spoke in opposition to the bill, mainly wanting to keep the regulation open-ended so they can adjust as more is learned about vaccines generally."I think it's important and we think it's important that vaccines remain in regulation in KAR 28-1-20, rather than listed in statutes, in order to support timely response to changes in ACIP recommendations," Norman said. "A new vaccine may be recommended by the ACIP, or it may be one, because of new findings, where it may be recommended to be removed. In either case, we want to act quickly."ACIP is the CDCs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Any time a new vaccine is to be added to the mandatory list, it needs to be on the list by February to be able to be in arms by August to start school.

Testimony on vaccination bill Monday at legislature

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Friday update from the Reno County dashboard shows the case count in the county at 56. 

The last time the dashboard showed less than 60 active total cases was August 11, 2020 when it had 49. The level jumped to 152 on the 12th and hasn't been back to this level since.

Out of 7,735 total cases since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 7,542 recoveries. There are 8 clusters still being monitored. None of the cluster types have documented cases currently visible on the dashboard.

<figure>
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 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Friday update from the Reno County dashboard shows the case count in the county at 56. The last time the dashboard showed less than 60 active total cases was August 11, 2020 when it had 49. The level jumped to 152 on the 12th and hasn't been back to this level since.Out of 7,735 total cases since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 7,542 recoveries. There are 8 clusters still being monitored. None of the cluster types have documented cases currently visible on the dashboard.Three Reno County residents are in the hospital with COVID-19. There have been 367 hospitalizations total and 103 ICU admissions. 137 Reno County residents deaths are attributed to the pandemic.Drive-thru testing is currently available at the Kansas Cosmosphere at 1100 N Plum in Hutchinson.The site is open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. To make an appointment, please visit <a href="https://www.gogettested.com/">www.gogettested.com</a>.

Case count now at 56, first time below 60 since last August


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — The school gating criteria remain in the green for next week. According to the Reno County dashboard, the 14-day rolling average positive test rate as of March 14 is 3.5%, with a 14-day new case total of 23.

The overall case count in Reno County is at 66. Out of 7,735 total cases since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 7,532 recoveries. There are 8 clusters still being monitored. Only the workplace cluster type has any remaining cases and there are just three there.

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HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — The school gating criteria remain in the green for next week. According to the Reno County dashboard, the 14-day rolling average positive test rate as of March 14 is 3.5%, with a 14-day new case total of 23.The overall case count in Reno County is at 66. Out of 7,735 total cases since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 7,532 recoveries. There are 8 clusters still being monitored. Only the workplace cluster type has any remaining cases and there are just three there.Three Reno County residents are in the hospital with COVID-19. There have been 367 hospitalizations total and 103 ICU admissions. 137 Reno County residents deaths are attributed to the pandemic.Drive-thru testing is currently available at the Kansas Cosmosphere at 1100 N Plum in Hutchinson.The site is open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. To make an appointment, please visit <a href="https://www.gogettested.com/">www.gogettested.com</a>.

Schools remain in the green for next week, case count at 66 as of Thursday


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — Even though Reno County has been doing a good job of getting vaccine distributed thus far, they still aren't finding out much ahead of time how much vaccine they are getting week to week.

"We learn about things usually the week before, or a couple days before and that's the difficulty in planning," said Karla Nichols with the Reno County Health Department. "We've only been getting the Moderna vaccine at this point and so that's what we're using. When we get the Moderna, we usually get like 1200 doses."

Those with pre-existing conditions will not have to provide proof at this point.

"We really don't want barriers," said Karen Hammersmith with the Health Department. "Then you're trying to get into different ways of identifying people that way. You just have to self-identify that you have some of those pre-existing conditions, you know, hypertension, diabetes, asthma. All of those things can turn into a problem."

There is no word at this point if the Reno County Health Department will get any of the Johnson and Johnson single-dose vaccine, right now they are planning based just on the Moderna numbers they have been getting.

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By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — Even though Reno County has been doing a good job of getting vaccine distributed thus far, they still aren't finding out much ahead of time how much vaccine they are getting week to week."We learn about things usually the week before, or a couple days before and that's the difficulty in planning," said Karla Nichols with the Reno County Health Department. "We've only been getting the Moderna vaccine at this point and so that's what we're using. When we get the Moderna, we usually get like 1200 doses."Those with pre-existing conditions will not have to provide proof at this point."We really don't want barriers," said Karen Hammersmith with the Health Department. "Then you're trying to get into different ways of identifying people that way. You just have to self-identify that you have some of those pre-existing conditions, you know, hypertension, diabetes, asthma. All of those things can turn into a problem."There is no word at this point if the Reno County Health Department will get any of the Johnson and Johnson single-dose vaccine, right now they are planning based just on the Moderna numbers they have been getting.

Vaccine amounts still not known very far in advance


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
The Reno County dashboard now includes weekly updates on vaccination totals. The first update as of March 12 notes that 10,779 doses of vaccine have been given in Reno County, which is 17.29% of the county's population.

As of Tuesday, the case count in the county is down to 63. 

Out of 7,731 total cases since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 7,531 recoveries. There are 8 clusters still being monitored. Only the workplace cluster type has any remaining cases and there are just three there.

Two Reno County residents are in the hospital with COVID-19. There have been 366 hospitalizations total and 103 ICU admissions. 137 Reno County residents deaths are attributed to the pandemic.

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<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615549803471.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
The Reno County dashboard now includes weekly updates on vaccination totals. The first update as of March 12 notes that 10,779 doses of vaccine have been given in Reno County, which is 17.29% of the county's population.As of Tuesday, the case count in the county is down to 63. Out of 7,731 total cases since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 7,531 recoveries. There are 8 clusters still being monitored. Only the workplace cluster type has any remaining cases and there are just three there.Two Reno County residents are in the hospital with COVID-19. There have been 366 hospitalizations total and 103 ICU admissions. 137 Reno County residents deaths are attributed to the pandemic.Drive-thru testing is currently available at the Kansas Cosmosphere at 1100 N Plum in Hutchinson.The site is open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. To make an appointment, please visit <a href="https://www.gogettested.com/">www.gogettested.com</a>.
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Dashboard will have weekly updates on vaccine numbers, case count down to 63


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — The case count in Reno County continues to decrease. There are just 66 cases of COVID-19 in the county, according to Monday information from the county's dashboard.

Out of 7,731 total cases since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 7,528 recoveries. There are 8 clusters still being monitored. Only the workplace cluster type has any remaining cases and there are just three there.

One Reno County resident is in the hospital with COVID-19. There have been 365 hospitalizations total and 103 ICU admissions. 137 Reno County residents deaths are attributed to the pandemic.

The site is open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. To make an appointment, please visit www.gogettested.com.

<figure>
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 </figure>
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — The case count in Reno County continues to decrease. There are just 66 cases of COVID-19 in the county, according to Monday information from the county's dashboard.Out of 7,731 total cases since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 7,528 recoveries. There are 8 clusters still being monitored. Only the workplace cluster type has any remaining cases and there are just three there.One Reno County resident is in the hospital with COVID-19. There have been 365 hospitalizations total and 103 ICU admissions. 137 Reno County residents deaths are attributed to the pandemic.Drive-thru testing is currently available at the Kansas Cosmosphere at 1100 N Plum in Hutchinson.The site is open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. To make an appointment, please visit www.gogettested.com.

Case count down to 66 as of Monday

The overall COVID-19 case count in Reno County is at 80 as of Friday. 

Out of 7,727 total cases since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 7,510 recoveries. There are 8 clusters still being monitored. 

One Reno County resident is in the hospital with COVID-19. There are still no cases as part of documented long-term care facility clusters.

Drive-thru testing is currently available at the Kansas Cosmosphere at 1100 North Plum in Hutchinson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612786086400.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The overall COVID-19 case count in Reno County is at 80 as of Friday. Out of 7,727 total cases since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 7,510 recoveries. There are 8 clusters still being monitored. One Reno County resident is in the hospital with COVID-19. There are still no cases as part of documented long-term care facility clusters.Drive-thru testing is currently available at the Kansas Cosmosphere at 1100 North Plum in Hutchinson.The site is open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. To make an appointment, please visit <a href="https://www.gogettested.com/">www.gogettested.com</a>.

Case count down to 80, one person in hospital as of Friday


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
Schools in Reno County are in the green before St. Patrick's Day. The gating criteria posted on the Reno County website has the 14-day positive test rate as of March 7 at 4.8%, with a 14-day new case total of 42.

Back on June 27, the 14-day rolling positive test rate was at 4.9%. We didn't hit that level again until March 5.

The overall COVID-19 case count in Reno County is at 86 as of Thursday. 

Out of 7,725 total cases since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 7,502 recoveries. There are 8 clusters still being monitored. 

No Reno County residents are in the hospital with COVID-19, nor are there any cases as part of documented long-term care facility clusters.

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 </figure>
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
Schools in Reno County are in the green before St. Patrick's Day. The gating criteria posted on the Reno County website has the 14-day positive test rate as of March 7 at 4.8%, with a 14-day new case total of 42.Back on June 27, the 14-day rolling positive test rate was at 4.9%. We didn't hit that level again until March 5.The overall COVID-19 case count in Reno County is at 86 as of Thursday. Out of 7,725 total cases since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 7,502 recoveries. There are 8 clusters still being monitored. No Reno County residents are in the hospital with COVID-19, nor are there any cases as part of documented long-term care facility clusters.Drive-thru testing is currently available at the Kansas Cosmosphere at 1100 N Plum in Hutchinson.The site is open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. To make an appointment, please visit www.gogettested.com.

School gating criteria in green for next week

HUTCHINSON, Kan. —&nbsp;Debra Teufel with the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce is excited to see high-contact critical workers get vaccinated and the Chamber has been working with the Reno County Health Department to make that happen.

"Employers could opt in to come to a pod that was already set up, which we know has been very efficient, at the Sports Arena," Teufel said. "If there was a number of workers that made sense for them to go out on site, they offered to do that, as well. Tyson is one, I believe Kuhn Krause is offering that for their employees. Dillons offered to manage their workforce themselves, because, of course, Dillons as a pharmacy operation, is getting a supply, too."

Teufel believes all the large employers who qualify have chosen one or the other method of getting employees vaccinated.

"We need people to have confidence that they are safe when they are going to work, when they are going out to a store in the community," Teufel said. "We need to heighten that level of safety. Now that we've gotten through the elder population for the most part, especially those that are most at risk, I just think the next point is, it's been quite a disruption for businesses that have had COVID present in their workplace, then it spreads and then you have an attendance issue and then, all of a sudden, it disrupts your chain of business. It means so much to, especially the manufacturers out there that need to keep producing goods. They can't have a critical point in their production line disrupted."

The next vaccination clinic for those workers is Monday at the Hutchinson Sports Arena. You can <a href="https://forms.renogov.org/rchd/covid19-registration/">apply for a time at the Reno County website.</a>

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<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613693226012.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By NICK GOSNELLHutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. —&nbsp;Debra Teufel with the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce is excited to see high-contact critical workers get vaccinated and the Chamber has been working with the Reno County Health Department to make that happen."Employers could opt in to come to a pod that was already set up, which we know has been very efficient, at the Sports Arena," Teufel said. "If there was a number of workers that made sense for them to go out on site, they offered to do that, as well. Tyson is one, I believe Kuhn Krause is offering that for their employees. Dillons offered to manage their workforce themselves, because, of course, Dillons as a pharmacy operation, is getting a supply, too."Teufel believes all the large employers who qualify have chosen one or the other method of getting employees vaccinated."We need people to have confidence that they are safe when they are going to work, when they are going out to a store in the community," Teufel said. "We need to heighten that level of safety. Now that we've gotten through the elder population for the most part, especially those that are most at risk, I just think the next point is, it's been quite a disruption for businesses that have had COVID present in their workplace, then it spreads and then you have an attendance issue and then, all of a sudden, it disrupts your chain of business. It means so much to, especially the manufacturers out there that need to keep producing goods. They can't have a critical point in their production line disrupted."The next vaccination clinic for those workers is Monday at the Hutchinson Sports Arena. You can <a href="https://forms.renogov.org/rchd/covid19-registration/">apply for a time at the Reno County website.</a><a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the Hutch Post mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Teufel: High-contact industries are opting in to vaccination


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
The overall COVID-19 case count in Reno County is at 87 as of Wednesday. The death count among Reno County residents is at 138. 

Out of 7,725 total cases since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 7,500 recoveries. There are 8 clusters still being monitored. 

The Positive Test Rate rolling average is at 7.0%, which leaves schools in the yellow for gating criteria for this week. New gating criteria information has been released either late Thursday or early Friday in previous weeks.

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 </figure>
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
The overall COVID-19 case count in Reno County is at 87 as of Wednesday. The death count among Reno County residents is at 138. Out of 7,725 total cases since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 7,500 recoveries. There are 8 clusters still being monitored. No Reno County residents are in the hospital with COVID-19, nor are there any cases as part of documented long-term care facility clusters.The Positive Test Rate rolling average is at 7.0%, which leaves schools in the yellow for gating criteria for this week. New gating criteria information has been released either late Thursday or early Friday in previous weeks.Drive-thru testing is currently available at the Kansas Cosmosphere at 1100 N Plum in Hutchinson.The site is open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. To make an appointment, please visit <a href="https://www.gogettested.com/">www.gogettested.com</a>.

Case count at 87, still no hospitalizations as of Wednesday

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 778 to a total of 297,229, the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;

Coronavirus deaths were reported at 4,851, an increase of 35.

<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a> about the COVID-19 vaccine.

<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 778 to a total of 297,229, the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;Coronavirus deaths were reported at 4,851, an increase of 35.<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a> about the COVID-19 vaccine.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615399528241.png" alt="Wednesday March 10, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Wednesday March 10, 2021 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas

TOPEKA – In conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance issued Monday for those who have been vaccinated, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is issuing similar guidance in Kansas, according to a media release from the agency.

Two weeks after Kansans receive their completed vaccination (two weeks after the second dose for Pfizer and Moderna, two weeks after the single dose for Johnson &amp; Johnson), Kansans may begin to gather in their private homes with other fully vaccinated people, in small groups, without masks or social distancing.

The guidance also allows for vaccinated people to gather in private homes with unvaccinated people so long as the unvaccinated people are from a single household and are at low risk for developing severe disease.

“These changes are an important step in moving forward,” Dr. Lee Norman, KDHE Secretary, said. “This will allow grandparents to socialize with families, friends and neighbors to gather.”

While private home guidance has changed for those who are fully vaccinated, public health measures in public still apply to everyone, including those vaccinated.

“Thank you for continuing to keep your fellow Kansans safe,” Dr. Norman said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610057767019.png" alt="“These changes are an important step in moving forward,” Dr. Lee Norman, KDHE Secretary, said. “This will allow grandparents to socialize with families, friends and neighbors to gather.”" />
 <figcaption>“These changes are an important step in moving forward,” Dr. Lee Norman, KDHE Secretary, said. “This will allow grandparents to socialize with families, friends and neighbors to gather.”</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA – In conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance issued Monday for those who have been vaccinated, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is issuing similar guidance in Kansas, according to a media release from the agency.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">In conjunction with new <a href="https://twitter.com/CDCgov?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CDCgov</a> guidance, KDHE is issuing similar guidance. Two weeks after completing the vaccination, KSans may gather in private homes with other fully vaccinated people, in small groups, w/out masks or distancing. Complete details: <a href="https://t.co/UsDjFE3CTe">https://t.co/UsDjFE3CTe</a> <a href="https://t.co/d68H3HCxaV">pic.twitter.com/d68H3HCxaV</a>&mdash; KDHE (@KDHE) <a href="https://twitter.com/KDHE/status/1369702030831390722?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Two weeks after Kansans receive their completed vaccination (two weeks after the second dose for Pfizer and Moderna, two weeks after the single dose for Johnson &amp; Johnson), Kansans may begin to gather in their private homes with other fully vaccinated people, in small groups, without masks or social distancing.The guidance also allows for vaccinated people to gather in private homes with unvaccinated people so long as the unvaccinated people are from a single household and are at low risk for developing severe disease.“These changes are an important step in moving forward,” Dr. Lee Norman, KDHE Secretary, said. “This will allow grandparents to socialize with families, friends and neighbors to gather.”While private home guidance has changed for those who are fully vaccinated, public health measures in public still apply to everyone, including those vaccinated.<ul>
 <li>Wear a mask</li><li>Stay at least 6 feet away from others</li><li>Avoid crowds</li><li>Avoid poorly ventilated spaces</li><li>Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol</li>
 </ul>“Thank you for continuing to keep your fellow Kansans safe,” Dr. Norman said.

KDHE guidance for Kansans who are vaccinated


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —The Board of Reno County Commissioners will be looking later this month at whether or not a mask mandate is still needed in the county. 

"I think some of the policies probably were a little overreactive," said County Commissioner Daniel Friesen. "At what point do we acknowledge that and start to kind of move to reopening, to a point where we look at the evidence and say this is working and this is not."

The Reno County Medical Collaborative advised the commission that they should keep the mandate a little longer to allow for further vaccinations.

"It would be our recommendation to not opt out of the Governor's mask mandate at this time," said Karen Hammersmith with the Reno County Health Department. "We feel that this is premature. Our numbers are coming down. We have gotten the high priority people as far as those 65 and older vaccinated. Also, we have the first portion of teachers vaccinated, but they don't even have their second vaccines in. We just sent all kids back to school, which we would like to keep them in school."

Friesen, at the least, wants to see more evidence. He believes that masks should be worn, but that the county commission shouldn't necessarily mandate them.

"That's where I'm seeing the difference here, between forcing somebody and having the burden of proof that it seems like we're having trouble developing and one notch less, which is, hey, this is highly recommended. Let's keep doing it until we're out of this."

He wanted to give the medical community a chance to provide their proof before voting to take anything away, so the item has been scheduled to be revisited on March 30.

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<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1615313530881.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>
By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —The Board of Reno County Commissioners will be looking later this month at whether or not a mask mandate is still needed in the county. "I think some of the policies probably were a little overreactive," said County Commissioner Daniel Friesen. "At what point do we acknowledge that and start to kind of move to reopening, to a point where we look at the evidence and say this is working and this is not."The Reno County Medical Collaborative advised the commission that they should keep the mandate a little longer to allow for further vaccinations."It would be our recommendation to not opt out of the Governor's mask mandate at this time," said Karen Hammersmith with the Reno County Health Department. "We feel that this is premature. Our numbers are coming down. We have gotten the high priority people as far as those 65 and older vaccinated. Also, we have the first portion of teachers vaccinated, but they don't even have their second vaccines in. We just sent all kids back to school, which we would like to keep them in school."Friesen, at the least, wants to see more evidence. He believes that masks should be worn, but that the county commission shouldn't necessarily mandate them."That's where I'm seeing the difference here, between forcing somebody and having the burden of proof that it seems like we're having trouble developing and one notch less, which is, hey, this is highly recommended. Let's keep doing it until we're out of this."He wanted to give the medical community a chance to provide their proof before voting to take anything away, so the item has been scheduled to be revisited on March 30.
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Mask mandate to be revisited March 30

Reno County, Kansas – March 9, 2021 –&nbsp;The Reno County Health Department is ready to start vaccinating those in phase 2c, as well as anyone remaining from previous phases. Phase 2c includes high-contact critical workers.

Kansas defines high-contact critical workers as grocery store and food service employees, K-12 staff and childcare workers, food processing and meat processing plants, aviation manufacturing plants, transportation workers, firefighters, police officers, first responders and corrections officers. Many K-12 staff, first responders and meat processing plant employees have already been vaccinated, as well as those living in congregate settings from Phase 2b. Workers in retail, warehouse, sales, agriculture, postal service, or department of motor vehicles may also be considered high-contact critical workers if they regularly need to be in high-risk settings to perform their duties.

The Health Department is currently scheduling for the March 15 vaccination clinic that runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hutchinson Sports Arena. If you identify yourself as a high-contact critical worker, go online to&nbsp;<a href="https://forms.renogov.org/rchd/covid19-registration/" target="_blank">https://forms.renogov.org/rchd/covid19-registration/</a>. Choose the&nbsp;I am a high-contact critical worker&nbsp;category, and in the employer drop down box, choose&nbsp;Unlisted/Other, high-contact critical worker, and complete the information as requested to schedule your appointment. You will receive an email appointment confirmation after submitting successfully. If computer access is not available, please call the health department at&nbsp;620-694-2900 and select option 6&nbsp;for assistance with scheduling an appointment.

As a reminder, if you have received the treatment of monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma for Covid-19 in the last 90 days (this does not include antibiotics or steroids), have received any other vaccine in the previous 14 days, have previously had severe allergic response to an ingredient in the vaccine, or reaction to a vaccine in the past (anaphylaxis), please do not schedule a vaccine at this time.

For more information about the vaccines, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.renogov.org/741/COVID-19" target="_blank">www.renogov.org/741/COVID-19</a>.

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 </figure>Reno County, Kansas – March 9, 2021 –&nbsp;The Reno County Health Department is ready to start vaccinating those in phase 2c, as well as anyone remaining from previous phases. Phase 2c includes high-contact critical workers.Kansas defines high-contact critical workers as grocery store and food service employees, K-12 staff and childcare workers, food processing and meat processing plants, aviation manufacturing plants, transportation workers, firefighters, police officers, first responders and corrections officers. Many K-12 staff, first responders and meat processing plant employees have already been vaccinated, as well as those living in congregate settings from Phase 2b. Workers in retail, warehouse, sales, agriculture, postal service, or department of motor vehicles may also be considered high-contact critical workers if they regularly need to be in high-risk settings to perform their duties.The Health Department is currently scheduling for the March 15 vaccination clinic that runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hutchinson Sports Arena. If you identify yourself as a high-contact critical worker, go online to&nbsp;<a href="https://forms.renogov.org/rchd/covid19-registration/" target="_blank">https://forms.renogov.org/rchd/covid19-registration/</a>. Choose the&nbsp;I am a high-contact critical worker&nbsp;category, and in the employer drop down box, choose&nbsp;Unlisted/Other, high-contact critical worker, and complete the information as requested to schedule your appointment. You will receive an email appointment confirmation after submitting successfully. If computer access is not available, please call the health department at&nbsp;620-694-2900 and select option 6&nbsp;for assistance with scheduling an appointment.As a reminder, if you have received the treatment of monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma for Covid-19 in the last 90 days (this does not include antibiotics or steroids), have received any other vaccine in the previous 14 days, have previously had severe allergic response to an ingredient in the vaccine, or reaction to a vaccine in the past (anaphylaxis), please do not schedule a vaccine at this time.For more information about the vaccines, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.renogov.org/741/COVID-19" target="_blank">www.renogov.org/741/COVID-19</a>.

County now taking appointments for high-contact critical workers


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
The overall COVID-19 case count in Reno County is at 86 as of Monday. The death count among Reno County residents is at 138. The last time we were at or below this case level was mid-September.

Out of 7,720 total cases since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 7,496 recoveries. There are 8 clusters still being monitored. 

No Reno County residents are in the hospital with COVID-19 as of Monday, nor are there any cases as part of documented long-term care facility clusters. The last day with a documented hospital admission was February 23.

The Positive Test Rate rolling average is at 7.0%, which leaves schools in the yellow for gating criteria for this week.

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HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
The overall COVID-19 case count in Reno County is at 86 as of Monday. The death count among Reno County residents is at 138. The last time we were at or below this case level was mid-September.Out of 7,720 total cases since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 7,496 recoveries. There are 8 clusters still being monitored. No Reno County residents are in the hospital with COVID-19 as of Monday, nor are there any cases as part of documented long-term care facility clusters. The last day with a documented hospital admission was February 23.The Positive Test Rate rolling average is at 7.0%, which leaves schools in the yellow for gating criteria for this week.Drive-thru testing is currently available at the Kansas Cosmosphere at 1100 N Plum in Hutchinson.The site is open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. To make an appointment, please visit <a href="https://www.gogettested.com/">www.gogettested.com</a>.

Coronavirus Update