NEW YORK (AP) — The coronavirus outbreak could kill 100,000 to 200,000 Americans, the U.S. government’s top infectious-disease expert warned on Sunday as smoldering hot spots in nursing homes and a growing list of stricken cities heightened the sense of dread across the country.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, made the dire prediction of fatalities on CNN, adding that millions in the U.S. could become infected.

By evening, the U.S. had over 135,000 infections and 2,400 deaths, according to the running tally kept by Johns Hopkins University, though the true number of cases is thought to be considerably higher because of testing shortages and mild illnesses that have gone unreported.

Worldwide, more than 710,000 infections were reported, and deaths topped 33,000, half of them in Italy and Spain, where hospitals are swamped and the health system is at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/7ec91dc45d8d7c2ea86b0a97446a303a">breaking point</a>.

New York state — where the death toll closed in on 1,000, up by more than 200 from the day before — remained the epicenter of the U.S. outbreak, with the vast majority of the deaths in New York City. But spikes in infections were recorded around the country, not only in metropolitan areas but in Midwestern towns and Rocky Mountain ski havens.

“This is not going to get better soon,” New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said.

The virus is moving fast through nursing homes, assisted living facilities and other places that house elderly or otherwise&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/4310cabee8397f9af442660b37f430e4">vulnerable people</a>, spreading “like fire through dry grass,” Cuomo said.

Since the U.S. saw its first major outbreak of the coronavirus earlier this month — centered at a nursing home in Kirkland, Washington — a stream of facilities have battled infections among residents and staff.

A week ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 147 nursing homes in 27 states had patients with COVID-19. The problem has only worsened since.

In Woodbridge, New Jersey, an entire nursing home relocated its residents after two dozen were confirmed infected and the rest were presumed to be. In Louisiana, at least 11 nursing homes, largely in the New Orleans area, have reported cases. In Mount Airy, Maryland, a death linked to the virus was recorded in a home where 66 people were confirmed infected.

Residents’ loved ones are being kept away to try to slow the spread of the virus.

“I have a feeling that I very likely may never see my mother again,” said James Preller, whose 94-year-old mother, Ann Preller, is a resident at Peconic Landing, a retirement community near Greenport on New York’s Long Island where seven have died in the past two weeks.

Brian Lee of Families for Better Care, an advocacy group for those living in long-term care facilities, said in a nursing home, “when we see an outbreak that’s uncontrolled, it’s practically a death sentence.” But he also said the way residents are being walled off from the outside world is as much of a concern as the virus itself.

In New York, the virus is overwhelming some of the city’s poorest neighborhoods, with data showing high rates of infection in densely packed areas with big non-English-speaking populations.

Dr. Craig Smith, who heads the surgery department at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center, said the hospital will probably be forced into “apocalyptic scenarios” in the coming weeks in which ventilators and intensive care unit beds will need to be rationed.

“Yesterday tried my soul,” he wrote in an online posting.

Worry for the poorest was being echoed around the world.

In India, a lockdown covering the country’s 1.3 billion people has put untold numbers out of work and left many families struggling to feed themselves. Tens of thousands in New Delhi were forced to flee their homes, with no way to pay the rent, journeying back to their native villages. Women in saris held babies on their hips. Others toted their belongings in bags normally used for cement.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologized for the hardships that the lockdown brought but said, “These tough measures were needed to win this battle.”

Though the U.S. leads the world in reported cases, five other countries have higher death tolls: Italy, Spain, China, Iran and France.

Italy reported more than 750 new fatalities Sunday, bringing the country’s total to nearly 10,800. But the number of new infections showed signs of easing, with officials expressing cautious optimism that the most severe shutdown in the industrialized West is showing results.

Italy’s civil protection agency said more than 5,200 new cases were recorded in the last 24 hours, the lowest number in four days, for a total of almost 98,000 infections.

Spain moved to tighten its lockdown and ban all nonessential work as it hit another daily record of almost 840 dead. The country’s overall official toll was more than 6,500.

Spain’s health emergencies chief, Fernando Simón, said the number of people in intensive care units keeps rising and hospitals are at their limits in several regions.

“That is why we have to strictly apply the control measures,” he said.

Egypt shut its beaches as cases in the Mideast surpassed 50,000. Police in the Philippines stepped up arrests of quarantine violators, and more tourists were evacuated from Mount Everest and the Indonesian island of Bali.

Poland is considering delaying its May 10 presidential election. Russia ordered borders to close on Monday, Moscow all but confined its 12 million residents to their homes, and the head of the Russian Orthodox called on believers to stay away from churches and pray at home instead.

A prominent French politician with the virus died, the country’s first death of a senior official.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. But for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, the virus can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and lead to death.

About 150,000 people have recovered, according to Johns Hopkins.

President Donald Trump on Saturday backtracked on a proposal to quarantine New York and neighboring states amid criticism and questions about the legality of such a move. But the CDC issued a travel advisory urging all residents of New York City and others in New York state, New Jersey and Connecticut to avoid all nonessential travel for 14 days.

Shocking as that is, it stopped short of the restrictions imposed in Europe or elsewhere. Parisians are fined if they try to leave the city, South Africans can’t buy liquor, and Serbians are upset over a ban on walking their dogs. In Italy, burials are being held with only one family member.

Some U.S. states began to try to limit exposure from visitors from harder-hit areas. Rhode Island National Guard troops went door to door in coastal communities to find New Yorkers. Florida is setting up checkpoints to screen visitors from Louisiana.

As others tightened controls, China continued to ease its restrictions, following the ruling Communist Party’s declaration of victory over the coronavirus. Flights from Hubei province at the epicenter of the country’s outbreak resumed Sunday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585496965542.png" alt="Dr. Anthony Fauci visits with Vice President Mike Pence prior to Wednesday's Coronavirus Task Force briefing -image courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Anthony Fauci visits with Vice President Mike Pence prior to Wednesday's Coronavirus Task Force briefing -image courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — The coronavirus outbreak could kill 100,000 to 200,000 Americans, the U.S. government’s top infectious-disease expert warned on Sunday as smoldering hot spots in nursing homes and a growing list of stricken cities heightened the sense of dread across the country.Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, made the dire prediction of fatalities on CNN, adding that millions in the U.S. could become infected.By evening, the U.S. had over 135,000 infections and 2,400 deaths, according to the running tally kept by Johns Hopkins University, though the true number of cases is thought to be considerably higher because of testing shortages and mild illnesses that have gone unreported.Worldwide, more than 710,000 infections were reported, and deaths topped 33,000, half of them in Italy and Spain, where hospitals are swamped and the health system is at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/7ec91dc45d8d7c2ea86b0a97446a303a">breaking point</a>.New York state — where the death toll closed in on 1,000, up by more than 200 from the day before — remained the epicenter of the U.S. outbreak, with the vast majority of the deaths in New York City. But spikes in infections were recorded around the country, not only in metropolitan areas but in Midwestern towns and Rocky Mountain ski havens.“This is not going to get better soon,” New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said.The virus is moving fast through nursing homes, assisted living facilities and other places that house elderly or otherwise&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/4310cabee8397f9af442660b37f430e4">vulnerable people</a>, spreading “like fire through dry grass,” Cuomo said.Since the U.S. saw its first major outbreak of the coronavirus earlier this month — centered at a nursing home in Kirkland, Washington — a stream of facilities have battled infections among residents and staff.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585521942640.png" alt="Dr. Fauci during Sunday Coronavirus Task Force briefing -photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Fauci during Sunday Coronavirus Task Force briefing -photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>A week ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 147 nursing homes in 27 states had patients with COVID-19. The problem has only worsened since.In Woodbridge, New Jersey, an entire nursing home relocated its residents after two dozen were confirmed infected and the rest were presumed to be. In Louisiana, at least 11 nursing homes, largely in the New Orleans area, have reported cases. In Mount Airy, Maryland, a death linked to the virus was recorded in a home where 66 people were confirmed infected.Residents’ loved ones are being kept away to try to slow the spread of the virus.“I have a feeling that I very likely may never see my mother again,” said James Preller, whose 94-year-old mother, Ann Preller, is a resident at Peconic Landing, a retirement community near Greenport on New York’s Long Island where seven have died in the past two weeks.Brian Lee of Families for Better Care, an advocacy group for those living in long-term care facilities, said in a nursing home, “when we see an outbreak that’s uncontrolled, it’s practically a death sentence.” But he also said the way residents are being walled off from the outside world is as much of a concern as the virus itself.In New York, the virus is overwhelming some of the city’s poorest neighborhoods, with data showing high rates of infection in densely packed areas with big non-English-speaking populations.Dr. Craig Smith, who heads the surgery department at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center, said the hospital will probably be forced into “apocalyptic scenarios” in the coming weeks in which ventilators and intensive care unit beds will need to be rationed.“Yesterday tried my soul,” he wrote in an online posting.Worry for the poorest was being echoed around the world.In India, a lockdown covering the country’s 1.3 billion people has put untold numbers out of work and left many families struggling to feed themselves. Tens of thousands in New Delhi were forced to flee their homes, with no way to pay the rent, journeying back to their native villages. Women in saris held babies on their hips. Others toted their belongings in bags normally used for cement.Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologized for the hardships that the lockdown brought but said, “These tough measures were needed to win this battle.”Though the U.S. leads the world in reported cases, five other countries have higher death tolls: Italy, Spain, China, Iran and France.Italy reported more than 750 new fatalities Sunday, bringing the country’s total to nearly 10,800. But the number of new infections showed signs of easing, with officials expressing cautious optimism that the most severe shutdown in the industrialized West is showing results.Italy’s civil protection agency said more than 5,200 new cases were recorded in the last 24 hours, the lowest number in four days, for a total of almost 98,000 infections.Spain moved to tighten its lockdown and ban all nonessential work as it hit another daily record of almost 840 dead. The country’s overall official toll was more than 6,500.Spain’s health emergencies chief, Fernando Simón, said the number of people in intensive care units keeps rising and hospitals are at their limits in several regions.“That is why we have to strictly apply the control measures,” he said.Egypt shut its beaches as cases in the Mideast surpassed 50,000. Police in the Philippines stepped up arrests of quarantine violators, and more tourists were evacuated from Mount Everest and the Indonesian island of Bali.Poland is considering delaying its May 10 presidential election. Russia ordered borders to close on Monday, Moscow all but confined its 12 million residents to their homes, and the head of the Russian Orthodox called on believers to stay away from churches and pray at home instead.A prominent French politician with the virus died, the country’s first death of a senior official.For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. But for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, the virus can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and lead to death.About 150,000 people have recovered, according to Johns Hopkins.President Donald Trump on Saturday backtracked on a proposal to quarantine New York and neighboring states amid criticism and questions about the legality of such a move. But the CDC issued a travel advisory urging all residents of New York City and others in New York state, New Jersey and Connecticut to avoid all nonessential travel for 14 days.Shocking as that is, it stopped short of the restrictions imposed in Europe or elsewhere. Parisians are fined if they try to leave the city, South Africans can’t buy liquor, and Serbians are upset over a ban on walking their dogs. In Italy, burials are being held with only one family member.Some U.S. states began to try to limit exposure from visitors from harder-hit areas. Rhode Island National Guard troops went door to door in coastal communities to find New Yorkers. Florida is setting up checkpoints to screen visitors from Louisiana.As others tightened controls, China continued to ease its restrictions, following the ruling Communist Party’s declaration of victory over the coronavirus. Flights from Hubei province at the epicenter of the country’s outbreak resumed Sunday.___

Up to 200K US deaths foreseen as more cities stricken with virus

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The publicist for Joe Diffie, the country star who was to headline a performance at the NexTech Wireless Grandstand at the Kansas State Fair with Logan Mize September 15, told <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/joe-diffie-country-singer-dead-obituary-974556/">Rolling Stone</a> that Diffie died Sunday from COVID-19.&nbsp; His illness was first announced Friday. Diffie was 61.

Diffie won two Grammys, charted 35 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, five of which peaked at No. 1 — “Home,” “If the Devil Danced (In Empty Pockets),” “Third Rock from the Sun,” “Pickup Man” and “Bigger Than the Beatles.”

Another 12 songs reached the Top 10, including “John Deere Green,” “So Help Me Girl,” “New Way (To Light Up an Old Flame),” “Is It Cold in Here,” “Ships That Don't Come In,” “Honky Tonk Attitude” and “Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox (If I Die).”&nbsp;

Among his albums, 1993’s Honky Tonk Attitude and 1994’s Third Rock from the Sun were certified platinum. Diffie is a member of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame and was a member of the Grand Ole Opry for 25 years.

Hutch Post plans to contact the Fair for comment Monday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573754420602.png" alt="joe diffie" />
 <figcaption>joe diffie</figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The publicist for Joe Diffie, the country star who was to headline a performance at the NexTech Wireless Grandstand at the Kansas State Fair with Logan Mize September 15, told <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/joe-diffie-country-singer-dead-obituary-974556/">Rolling Stone</a> that Diffie died Sunday from COVID-19.&nbsp; His illness was first announced Friday. Diffie was 61.Diffie won two Grammys, charted 35 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, five of which peaked at No. 1 — “Home,” “If the Devil Danced (In Empty Pockets),” “Third Rock from the Sun,” “Pickup Man” and “Bigger Than the Beatles.”Another 12 songs reached the Top 10, including “John Deere Green,” “So Help Me Girl,” “New Way (To Light Up an Old Flame),” “Is It Cold in Here,” “Ships That Don't Come In,” “Honky Tonk Attitude” and “Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox (If I Die).”&nbsp;Among his albums, 1993’s Honky Tonk Attitude and 1994’s Third Rock from the Sun were certified platinum. Diffie is a member of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame and was a member of the Grand Ole Opry for 25 years.Hutch Post plans to contact the Fair for comment Monday.

Joe Diffie, scheduled 2020 Kansas State Fair performer, dies from COVID-19

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.<figure>
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KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas

TOPEKA —Kansas Department of Health Secretary Dr. Lee Norman is a grandfather and said Friday he enjoyed visiting with and answering the questions kids have on the virus.&nbsp;

TOPEKA —Kansas Department of Health Secretary Dr. Lee Norman is a grandfather and said Friday he enjoyed visiting with and answering the questions kids have on the virus.&nbsp;<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">This was fun! Let&#39;s do it again soon. Share your questions with me, kids. <a href="https://t.co/hd7OngyVBR">pic.twitter.com/hd7OngyVBR</a>&mdash; Lee Norman (@SecNorman) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecNorman/status/1243646784917909504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>

🎥 Kan. health secretary answers kids' questions about coronavirus

HUTCHINSON, Kan.  — Haven's personal item pickup for students at the school buildings is Monday.  

The pickup day for Haven Grade School will start at 11 a.m. Parents are asked to enter the area from the alley off East 5th Street.

Teachers will go to the gym and retrieve all of the items that belong to those students and bring them to the vehicle. If you have a band instrument, parents can go to the double doors along North Sedgwick Street. Parents will get to enter the building and get band equipment.

Students in Haven Middle School will be able to retrieve their items by appointment starting Monday from 11:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. This will be done in 10-minute slots. They ask that you bring a box or backpack to load up your items. Also, that will be the day students will pick up learning packets if they are needed. Mondays will be the day that packets can be picked up and dropped off for the rest of the academic year.

At Haven High School, items can be picked up by appointment between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Students will be given 10 minutes to retrieve their items or drop off any books or athletic gear they may have.

USD 312 also continues its meal program. Meals are grab-and-go lunches and breakfasts. Serving is from 11 a.m.until 12 p.m. at the old Partridge Grade School, Haven Grade School, Yoder Grade School and the Kids Depot in Mount Hope.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585345243110.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Haven's personal item pickup for students at the school buildings is Monday. The pickup day for Haven Grade School will start at 11 a.m. Parents are asked to enter the area from the alley off East 5th Street.Teachers will go to the gym and retrieve all of the items that belong to those students and bring them to the vehicle. If you have a band instrument, parents can go to the double doors along North Sedgwick Street. Parents will get to enter the building and get band equipment.Students in Haven Middle School will be able to retrieve their items by appointment starting Monday from 11:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. This will be done in 10-minute slots. They ask that you bring a box or backpack to load up your items. Also, that will be the day students will pick up learning packets if they are needed. Mondays will be the day that packets can be picked up and dropped off for the rest of the academic year.At Haven High School, items can be picked up by appointment between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Students will be given 10 minutes to retrieve their items or drop off any books or athletic gear they may have.USD 312 also continues its meal program. Meals are grab-and-go lunches and breakfasts. Serving is from 11 a.m.until 12 p.m. at the old Partridge Grade School, Haven Grade School, Yoder Grade School and the Kids Depot in Mount Hope.

Haven personal item pickup Monday

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — An eighth case of COVID-19 was announced as positive Saturday by the Reno County Health Department.

That case is a female in her 60s that is currently in home quarantine. Case contact investigation is underway.

The department continues to highly encourage Reno County residents to be dependent on health authorities to provide the most accurate information on COVID-19.

Please practice good hygiene with frequent hand washing, proper respiratory etiquette such as coughing and sneezing into your elbow bend, limit handshakes and physical contact. Stay home if you are feeling ill and call your primary care physician to discuss your symptoms.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585072596478.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — An eighth case of COVID-19 was announced as positive Saturday by the Reno County Health Department.That case is a female in her 60s that is currently in home quarantine. Case contact investigation is underway.The department continues to highly encourage Reno County residents to be dependent on health authorities to provide the most accurate information on COVID-19.Please practice good hygiene with frequent hand washing, proper respiratory etiquette such as coughing and sneezing into your elbow bend, limit handshakes and physical contact. Stay home if you are feeling ill and call your primary care physician to discuss your symptoms.

COVID-19 positive count at eight confirmed in Reno County


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
Representatives from the Hutch Chamber, the United Way and the Hutchinson Community Foundation outlined the basics behind their new Rally Reno County program.

"Last week, when COVID-19 started hitting our community hard, it started hitting our business community just as hard," said Debra Teufel with the Chamber. "Those businesses that rely on foot traffic coming in the door are probably those that are hit the hardest, beside the fact that our hospitals and medical communities work on the front lines of this. We know that those retailers that are missing all that foot traffic want to find a way to connect with their customers. We thought this was an excellent way to help them do that."

Purchase a gift card to your favorite local businesses and the Hutchinson Community Foundation will provide matching funds to provide basic needs assistance in the same amount.

"A dollar spent at Bluebird Books will also be a dollar given to the unmet needs fund through the United Way and the Reno County VOAD," said the United Way's Lisa Gleason.

The Community Foundation is glad to have a donor that is allowing them to help.

"We're in the business of supporting the needs of this community," said Aubrey Patterson with the Community Foundation. "It's usually in philanthropy and charity, but this gives us an opportunity to also touch the business owners who are struggling and to leverage the match for the unmet needs of individuals."

If you're an individual that wants to buy certificates or a business that wants to offer them, check out rallyreno.org for details. You do not have to be a Chamber member to be listed.

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585236822615.jpeg" alt="" />
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By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
Representatives from the Hutch Chamber, the United Way and the Hutchinson Community Foundation outlined the basics behind their new Rally Reno County program."Last week, when COVID-19 started hitting our community hard, it started hitting our business community just as hard," said Debra Teufel with the Chamber. "Those businesses that rely on foot traffic coming in the door are probably those that are hit the hardest, beside the fact that our hospitals and medical communities work on the front lines of this. We know that those retailers that are missing all that foot traffic want to find a way to connect with their customers. We thought this was an excellent way to help them do that."Purchase a gift card to your favorite local businesses and the Hutchinson Community Foundation will provide matching funds to provide basic needs assistance in the same amount."A dollar spent at Bluebird Books will also be a dollar given to the unmet needs fund through the United Way and the Reno County VOAD," said the United Way's Lisa Gleason.The Community Foundation is glad to have a donor that is allowing them to help."We're in the business of supporting the needs of this community," said Aubrey Patterson with the Community Foundation. "It's usually in philanthropy and charity, but this gives us an opportunity to also touch the business owners who are struggling and to leverage the match for the unmet needs of individuals."If you're an individual that wants to buy certificates or a business that wants to offer them, check out rallyreno.org for details. You do not have to be a Chamber member to be listed.

Rally Reno County is collaborative effort

Attorney General William Barr says the Justice Department has already launched investigations into people who are hoarding supplies and price gouging.&nbsp;&nbsp;Barr says, “If you are sitting on a warehouse with surgical masks, you will be hearing a knock on your door."

WASHINGTON (AP) — Thieves steal surgical masks. A clinic sells fake COVID-19 tests. Hate groups encourage sick members to infect law enforcement officers. Imposters pose as public health officials. Con artists peddle fake cures and financial scams.

As the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak">coronavirus pandemic&nbsp;</a>spreads, so too do the crimes related to it — transgressions that capitalize on fear, panic and the urge to lay blame, and add to the burden on law enforcement agencies trying to protect vulnerable citizens.

“It is really disheartening in a time like this that someone would take advantage of the community and take them in a time of need,” Tucson, Arizona, Police Sgt. Pete Dugan said.

Everyday life has essentially stopped in many countries in a bid to slow the virus, and some crimes have been declining. But reports of virus-related fraud are on the rise, along with concerns about hate crimes.

U.S. President Donald Trump and others have taken to calling the virus the “Chinese coronavirus,” even as scientists say the disease has nothing to do with Asian ethnicity. But the president dismissed the idea that his comments could fuel hate crimes.

<a href="https://apnews.com/a7c233f0b3bcdb72c06cca6271ba6713">“It’s not racist at all,”</a>&nbsp;Trump has said.

In Los Angeles, a 16-year-old boy of Asian descent said other students bullied him and accused him of carrying the virus. In New York, a man on the subway sprayed an Asian passenger with Febreze and verbally abused him. State Attorney General Letitia James set up a hotline for New Yorkers to report hate crimes in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/86ca5e1f6032314115176190c380818d">country’s outbreak epicenter</a>.

The Anti-Defamation League, which tracks hate groups, blames the virus for elevating racist and anti-Semitic messages, including suggesting that Jews are somehow responsible for the pandemic. Some hate groups have suggested tainting doorknobs or other surfaces with the virus so FBI and police officers fall ill.

“If any of you get this, I expect you to spend as much time as possible with our enemies,” one wrote.

Hundreds of masks have been stolen in Portland, Oregon, amid&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/6d9382c1e8ee36f9ed1a4dfe7815ceb1">shortages for health care workers</a>. A Missouri man who was coughing told two store clerks he had a high fever. He was arrested after police said he threatened to give the employees coronavirus. People in Pennsylvania and Illinois were accused of similar crimes. Texas prosecutors brought charges against someone who falsely claimed on social media to have tested positive for COVID-19.

In a memo issued Tuesday, Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen told prosecutors they could charge people who threaten to spread the new coronavirus under U.S. terrorism statutes because the Justice Department considers it a “biological agent” under the law. In such cases, suspects could be charged with a number of offenses, including possessing or developing a biological agent as a weapon, he said.

“Threats or attempt to use COVID-19 as a weapon against Americans will not be tolerated,” Rosen wrote in the memo to U.S. attorneys across the country and the heads of all Justice Department agencies, including the FBI.

Meanwhile, police in Bowie, Maryland, are investigating reports of a man wearing an orange vest and blue surgical mask who approached people at two homes claiming to be inspecting for coronavirus. He actually entered one home before a resident confronted him. A similar scam was sweeping through Germany.

The World Health Organization and other authorities are also working to debunk spurious claims about possible cures. They include false assertions that silver, bleach, and garlic could protect against the coronavirus, or that bananas prevent it.

In Uganda, the parliament speaker endorsed a businessman who said he had discovered a chemical that “instantly kills” the virus. Speaker Rebecca Kadaga announced that the businessman had offered to produce the “treatment” in Uganda and it would go on the market shortly.

Kadaga’s comments were widely mocked because the product is actually a disinfectant, according to the Ugandan firm that will produce the chemical, not to be ingested.

New York officials recently ordered the Jim Bakker television show to stop marketing colloidal silver products. Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/1428c4f6bbc336f446bdb89af51bdad1">himself falsely suggested&nbsp;</a>a drug typically used to treat malaria patients had been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the coronavirus.

Fraudsters purport to collect contaminated banknotes in South Africa. And police busted a clinic selling false testing kits in Kenya.

The United Kingdom’s National Fraud Intelligence Bureau has received more than 100 reports of virus-related scams, with losses totaling more than $1.1 million (970,000 pounds).

“We have already seen fraudsters using the COVID-19 pandemic to scam people looking to buy medical supplies online ... and targeting people who may be vulnerable or increasingly isolated at home,” Graeme Biggar, director general of the National Economic Crime Center in the U.K., said in a statement.

In the U.S., the Justice Department created a central fraud hotline (1-866-720-5721 or disaster@leo.gov) and has ordered U.S. attorneys to appoint special coronavirus fraud coordinators.

Meanwhile, marketing schemers have quickly pivoted to offering “senior care packages” that include hand sanitizer or even a purported vaccine, which doesn’t exist. Some falsely claim that Trump has ordered that seniors get tested.

It’s all a trick to get personal information that can be used to bill federal and state health programs, health officials said.

“It’s a straight-up ruse to get your Medicare number or your Social Security number under the guise of having a test kit or a sanitary kit sent to you,” Christian Schrank, assistant inspector general for investigations at Health and Human Services.

The worldwide outbreak has sickened more than 350,000 people and left more than 15,000 people dead. For most people, the virus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.

The World Health Organization says criminals are increasingly posing as WHO officials in calls and phishing emails to swipe information or money. The United Nations also set up a website to help prevent fraud.

But the warning came too late for an 83-year-old woman in Mannheim, Germany, who was convinced by scammers to hand over a five-figure sum, claiming it was for a relative who had fallen ill. Police, who would not give an exact figure on the stolen euros, said the woman was told that a driver would pick up the money from outside her front door, to avoid possible infection.

By the time she got suspicious, the money was gone.

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 </figure>Attorney General William Barr says the Justice Department has already launched investigations into people who are hoarding supplies and price gouging.&nbsp;&nbsp;Barr says, “If you are sitting on a warehouse with surgical masks, you will be hearing a knock on your door."WASHINGTON (AP) — Thieves steal surgical masks. A clinic sells fake COVID-19 tests. Hate groups encourage sick members to infect law enforcement officers. Imposters pose as public health officials. Con artists peddle fake cures and financial scams.As the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak">coronavirus pandemic&nbsp;</a>spreads, so too do the crimes related to it — transgressions that capitalize on fear, panic and the urge to lay blame, and add to the burden on law enforcement agencies trying to protect vulnerable citizens.“It is really disheartening in a time like this that someone would take advantage of the community and take them in a time of need,” Tucson, Arizona, Police Sgt. Pete Dugan said.Everyday life has essentially stopped in many countries in a bid to slow the virus, and some crimes have been declining. But reports of virus-related fraud are on the rise, along with concerns about hate crimes.U.S. President Donald Trump and others have taken to calling the virus the “Chinese coronavirus,” even as scientists say the disease has nothing to do with Asian ethnicity. But the president dismissed the idea that his comments could fuel hate crimes.<a href="https://apnews.com/a7c233f0b3bcdb72c06cca6271ba6713">“It’s not racist at all,”</a>&nbsp;Trump has said.In Los Angeles, a 16-year-old boy of Asian descent said other students bullied him and accused him of carrying the virus. In New York, a man on the subway sprayed an Asian passenger with Febreze and verbally abused him. State Attorney General Letitia James set up a hotline for New Yorkers to report hate crimes in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/86ca5e1f6032314115176190c380818d">country’s outbreak epicenter</a>.The Anti-Defamation League, which tracks hate groups, blames the virus for elevating racist and anti-Semitic messages, including suggesting that Jews are somehow responsible for the pandemic. Some hate groups have suggested tainting doorknobs or other surfaces with the virus so FBI and police officers fall ill.“If any of you get this, I expect you to spend as much time as possible with our enemies,” one wrote.Hundreds of masks have been stolen in Portland, Oregon, amid&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/6d9382c1e8ee36f9ed1a4dfe7815ceb1">shortages for health care workers</a>. A Missouri man who was coughing told two store clerks he had a high fever. He was arrested after police said he threatened to give the employees coronavirus. People in Pennsylvania and Illinois were accused of similar crimes. Texas prosecutors brought charges against someone who falsely claimed on social media to have tested positive for COVID-19.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585145128626.png" alt="Counterfeit COVID-19 test kits intercepted at Los Angeles International airport -photo courtesy U.S. Customs and Border Protection" />
 <figcaption>Counterfeit COVID-19 test kits intercepted at Los Angeles International airport -photo courtesy U.S. Customs and Border Protection</figcaption>
 </figure>In a memo issued Tuesday, Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen told prosecutors they could charge people who threaten to spread the new coronavirus under U.S. terrorism statutes because the Justice Department considers it a “biological agent” under the law. In such cases, suspects could be charged with a number of offenses, including possessing or developing a biological agent as a weapon, he said.“Threats or attempt to use COVID-19 as a weapon against Americans will not be tolerated,” Rosen wrote in the memo to U.S. attorneys across the country and the heads of all Justice Department agencies, including the FBI.Meanwhile, police in Bowie, Maryland, are investigating reports of a man wearing an orange vest and blue surgical mask who approached people at two homes claiming to be inspecting for coronavirus. He actually entered one home before a resident confronted him. A similar scam was sweeping through Germany.The World Health Organization and other authorities are also working to debunk spurious claims about possible cures. They include false assertions that silver, bleach, and garlic could protect against the coronavirus, or that bananas prevent it.In Uganda, the parliament speaker endorsed a businessman who said he had discovered a chemical that “instantly kills” the virus. Speaker Rebecca Kadaga announced that the businessman had offered to produce the “treatment” in Uganda and it would go on the market shortly.Kadaga’s comments were widely mocked because the product is actually a disinfectant, according to the Ugandan firm that will produce the chemical, not to be ingested.New York officials recently ordered the Jim Bakker television show to stop marketing colloidal silver products. Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/1428c4f6bbc336f446bdb89af51bdad1">himself falsely suggested&nbsp;</a>a drug typically used to treat malaria patients had been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the coronavirus.Fraudsters purport to collect contaminated banknotes in South Africa. And police busted a clinic selling false testing kits in Kenya.The United Kingdom’s National Fraud Intelligence Bureau has received more than 100 reports of virus-related scams, with losses totaling more than $1.1 million (970,000 pounds).“We have already seen fraudsters using the COVID-19 pandemic to scam people looking to buy medical supplies online ... and targeting people who may be vulnerable or increasingly isolated at home,” Graeme Biggar, director general of the National Economic Crime Center in the U.K., said in a statement.In the U.S., the Justice Department created a central fraud hotline (1-866-720-5721 or disaster@leo.gov) and has ordered U.S. attorneys to appoint special coronavirus fraud coordinators.Meanwhile, marketing schemers have quickly pivoted to offering “senior care packages” that include hand sanitizer or even a purported vaccine, which doesn’t exist. Some falsely claim that Trump has ordered that seniors get tested.It’s all a trick to get personal information that can be used to bill federal and state health programs, health officials said.“It’s a straight-up ruse to get your Medicare number or your Social Security number under the guise of having a test kit or a sanitary kit sent to you,” Christian Schrank, assistant inspector general for investigations at Health and Human Services.The worldwide outbreak has sickened more than 350,000 people and left more than 15,000 people dead. For most people, the virus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.The World Health Organization says criminals are increasingly posing as WHO officials in calls and phishing emails to swipe information or money. The United Nations also set up a website to help prevent fraud.But the warning came too late for an 83-year-old woman in Mannheim, Germany, who was convinced by scammers to hand over a five-figure sum, claiming it was for a relative who had fallen ill. Police, who would not give an exact figure on the stolen euros, said the woman was told that a driver would pick up the money from outside her front door, to avoid possible infection.By the time she got suspicious, the money was gone.___

Coronavirus-related crimes capitalize on global fear, panic

Saturday's report from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment updated at at 10 a.m&nbsp;

Saturday's report from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment updated at at 10 a.m&nbsp;<figure>
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KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas; 5th death reported

TOPEKA –&nbsp;The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has added two new states to the quarantine list: Louisiana and Colorado. Previously, just certain counties in Colorado were included. This is effective for persons returning Friday, March 27, and moving forward.

A comprehensive list of those Kansans needing to quarantine for 14 days includes those who have:

Important Note:&nbsp;These mandates do not apply to critical infrastructure sectors needed to continue operations during this pandemic. Public health, including hospitals, clinics, etc. need to have the staffing resources to continue serving Kansans. While KDHE strongly recommends these quarantine restrictions for everyone, we do recognize that medical care needs to continue and no healthcare facility should ever be to a point where it would need to close due to staff being quarantined. We ask facilities to ensure they have updated their Emergency Preparedness Plans and implement protocols to ensure that no employee comes to work symptomatic. Other examples of critical infrastructures include pharmaceutical and food supply, along with others defined by the Department of Homeland Security.

For more information, please visit the KDHE website at&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kdheks.gov%2Fcoronavirus&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7Cc8ddda7c98114fdc4da508d7d29048a8%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637209389437160095&amp;sdata=IgaAggS9tuEdgdPIkLPHH5lJqypnkC%2Flw0WZAVkRN9c%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus</a>. KDHE&nbsp;has a phone bank that is staffed Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. The phone number is&nbsp;1-866-534-3463&nbsp;(1-866-KDHEINF). KDHE also has an email address for general inquiries,&nbsp;<a href="mailto:COVID-19@ks.gov">COVID-19@ks.gov</a>.&nbsp; Please note these contacts are for general questions and cannot provide you with medical evaluations. If you are feeling ill, please stay home and call your healthcare provider.

TOPEKA –&nbsp;The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has added two new states to the quarantine list: Louisiana and Colorado. Previously, just certain counties in Colorado were included. This is effective for persons returning Friday, March 27, and moving forward.A comprehensive list of those Kansans needing to quarantine for 14 days includes those who have:<ol>
 <li>Traveled to Louisiana or anywhere in Colorado on or after March 27.</li><li>Traveled to a state with known widespread community transmission (California, Florida, New York and Washington state) on or after March 15.</li><li>Traveled to Illinois or New Jersey on or after March 23.</li><li>Visited Eagle, Summit, Pitkin and Gunnison counties in Colorado in the week of March 8 or after.</li><li>Traveled on a cruise ship or river cruise on or after March 15.People who have previously been told by Public Health to quarantine because of their cruise ship travel should finish out their quarantine.</li><li>People who have previously been told by Public Health to quarantine because of their cruise ship travel should finish out their quarantine.</li><li>Traveled internationally on or after March 15.People who have previously been told by Public Health to quarantine because of their international travel to China, South Korea, Japan, Italy and Iran should finish out their quarantine.</li><li>People who have previously been told by Public Health to quarantine because of their international travel to China, South Korea, Japan, Italy and Iran should finish out their quarantine.</li><li>Received notification from public health officials (state or local) that you are a close contact of a laboratory-confirmed case of COVID-19. You should quarantine at home for 14 days since your last contact with the case.&nbsp; (A close contact is defined as someone who has been closer than 6 feet for more than 10 minutes while the patient is symptomatic.)</li>
 </ol>Important Note:&nbsp;These mandates do not apply to critical infrastructure sectors needed to continue operations during this pandemic. Public health, including hospitals, clinics, etc. need to have the staffing resources to continue serving Kansans. While KDHE strongly recommends these quarantine restrictions for everyone, we do recognize that medical care needs to continue and no healthcare facility should ever be to a point where it would need to close due to staff being quarantined. We ask facilities to ensure they have updated their Emergency Preparedness Plans and implement protocols to ensure that no employee comes to work symptomatic. Other examples of critical infrastructures include pharmaceutical and food supply, along with others defined by the Department of Homeland Security.For more information, please visit the KDHE website at&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kdheks.gov%2Fcoronavirus&amp;data=02%7C01%7C%7Cc8ddda7c98114fdc4da508d7d29048a8%7Cdcae8101c92d480cbc43c6761ccccc5a%7C0%7C0%7C637209389437160095&amp;sdata=IgaAggS9tuEdgdPIkLPHH5lJqypnkC%2Flw0WZAVkRN9c%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus</a>. KDHE&nbsp;has a phone bank that is staffed Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. The phone number is&nbsp;1-866-534-3463&nbsp;(1-866-KDHEINF). KDHE also has an email address for general inquiries,&nbsp;<a href="mailto:COVID-19@ks.gov">COVID-19@ks.gov</a>.&nbsp; Please note these contacts are for general questions and cannot provide you with medical evaluations. If you are feeling ill, please stay home and call your healthcare provider.

KDHE adds states to travel quarantine list

NICKERSON, Kan. — Nickerson schools will return to their meal program on Monday. Every child ages 1-18 will be able to pick up a hot lunch and breakfast at Nickerson High School, South Hutch Elementary School or Nickerson Elementary School. 

Cold grab-and-go lunches can also be picked up at the Westside Villa, 7th Street bus stop and the 5th and Main bus stop in the parking lot of Simply Good Overstocks. All locations will also provide breakfast for the next day. 

The child must be present to receive meals and walk-up children are welcome.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/10/1570031878174.jpeg" alt="" />
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 </figure>NICKERSON, Kan. — Nickerson schools will return to their meal program on Monday. Every child ages 1-18 will be able to pick up a hot lunch and breakfast at Nickerson High School, South Hutch Elementary School or Nickerson Elementary School. Cold grab-and-go lunches can also be picked up at the Westside Villa, 7th Street bus stop and the 5th and Main bus stop in the parking lot of Simply Good Overstocks. All locations will also provide breakfast for the next day. The child must be present to receive meals and walk-up children are welcome.

USD 309 resumes meal program Monday

HUTCHINSON, Kan. —  After taking a week off for spring break, Hutchinson USD 308 will resume meal service Monday. A third pickup location is also being offered.  

Pickup will be at McCandless Elementary School at 700 N. Baker, HMS - 7 and HMS - 8.

Meals will be offered from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and are free for anyone 18 and younger. The student or child must be present in the vehicle. Each child will receive one lunch for that day and breakfast for the following morning.

During the first week of the program, USD 308 handed out 7,000 meals.

<figure>
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 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — After taking a week off for spring break, Hutchinson USD 308 will resume meal service Monday. A third pickup location is also being offered. Pickup will be at McCandless Elementary School at 700 N. Baker, HMS - 7 and HMS - 8.Meals will be offered from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and are free for anyone 18 and younger. The student or child must be present in the vehicle. Each child will receive one lunch for that day and breakfast for the following morning.During the first week of the program, USD 308 handed out 7,000 meals.

Meal program kicks off again Monday in USD 308

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Reno County Commissioners have approved a stay-at-home ordinance. The action came after an executive session Friday morning followed by an open meeting.

The ordinance will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. Monday and will be in place for a period of 16 days. The ordinance will be addressed by the County Commission and the Health Department after one week to see how COVID-19 is progressing through the county and how businesses are adhering to social distancing practices.

The County Commission will have three courses of action on April 14. That would be to extend the ordinance, repeal the ordinance or modify it in some way.

<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fHF3JjSMFYXYkoNFUUAIoIyZ-JqRPhSx/view?usp=sharing">CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ORDINANCE</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575487428540.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Reno County Commissioners have approved a stay-at-home ordinance. The action came after an executive session Friday morning followed by an open meeting.The ordinance will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. Monday and will be in place for a period of 16 days. The ordinance will be addressed by the County Commission and the Health Department after one week to see how COVID-19 is progressing through the county and how businesses are adhering to social distancing practices.The County Commission will have three courses of action on April 14. That would be to extend the ordinance, repeal the ordinance or modify it in some way.<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fHF3JjSMFYXYkoNFUUAIoIyZ-JqRPhSx/view?usp=sharing">CLICK HERE TO READ THE ENTIRE ORDINANCE</a>

Reno County Commission approves stay-at-home ordinance

DUFUR, Ore. (AP) — The social distancing rules repeated like a mantra in America’s urban centers, where the coronavirus is spreading exponentially, might seem silly in wide-open places where neighbors live miles apart and “working from home” means another day spent branding calves or driving a tractor alone through a field.

But as the pandemic spreads through the U.S., those living in rural areas, too, are increasingly threatened. Tiny towns tucked into Oregon’s windswept plains and cattle ranches miles from anywhere in South Dakota might not have had a single case of the new coronavirus, but their main streets are also empty and their medical clinics overwhelmed by the worried.

Residents from rural Alabama to the woods of Vermont to the frozen reaches of Alaska fear the spread of the disease from outsiders, the social isolation that comes when the town’s only diner closes, and economic collapse in places where jobs were already tough to come by.

“Nobody knows what to do and they’re just running in circles, so stay away from me is what I’m saying,” said Mike Filbin, a 70-year-old cattle rancher in Wasco County, Oregon, one of the few parts of the state that has yet to see a case of COVID-19.

“Right now, we’re pretty clean over here, but we’re not immune to nothin’ — and if they start bringing it over, it’ll explode here.”

To make matters worse, some of the most remote communities have limited or no internet access and spotty cellphone service. That makes telecommuting and online learning challenging in an era of blanket school and work closures, and it eliminates the possibility of the FaceTime card games and virtual cocktail hours that urban Americans have turned to in droves to stay connected.

The routine ways that rural Americans connect — a bingo night, stopping in at a local diner or attending a potluck — are suddenly taboo.

“Rural people are reliant on their neighbors and have more confidence and trust in their neighbors,” said Ken Johnson, a senior demographer at the Carsey School of Public Policy and professor of sociology at the University of New Hampshire. “Now you have people who are supposed to self-isolate themselves. What does that mean when people you depend on, in order to help you, are going to put themselves and their families at risk? I don’t know what that will do in rural America.”

Neil Bradshaw, the mayor of Ketchum, Idaho, is starting to see the answer in his own community.

The rural resort town has struggled since the arrival of COVID-19, and he fears if the virus lingers too long, it could devastate it. The town is nestled next door to the tony skiing destination Sun Valley Resort and is known as the second-home haven for dozens of celebrities.

It’s also become the epicenter of Idaho’s caseload, with at least 35 cases and known community spread of the virus. At least 14 of the cases are among health care workers, forcing the town’s small medical workers to bring in replacement staffers from nearby cities.

“Our town thrives on people coming to town, and for the first time in our history we are discouraging visitors,” said Bradshaw, of the town of 2,700 people. “Initially people had different levels of adoption, but there’s tremendous community pressure that we’re all in this together. We’ve gone from being a vibrant town to a ghost town.”

The town’s coffers rely on a local option tax, and if that drops by half the city will have lost $700,000 in revenue, he said.

Some communities have pushed back on shutdowns that have brought daily life to a standstill. Leaders from seven Utah counties, for example, sent a letter earlier this week to Gov. Gary Herbert urging a “return to normalcy,” and said the closure of schools and business was causing panic and hurting the economy.

“As of (Monday), the total deaths attributed to the virus in the United States stands at ninety,” the letter states. “Not nine hundred, not nine thousand, not ninety thousand. Ninety. This number is sure to rise in the near future but we need to keep our wits about us.”

Others worry about outsiders bringing the disease to truly remote areas that aren’t equipped to deal with it. Across the nation, there are over 51,000 general intensive care beds in urban counties, compared with just 5,600 in rural counties, according to data compiled by The Associated Press.

Those beds serve a smaller population than in urban areas, but it would still take fewer people in rural areas to overwhelm a typical hospital. In fiscal year 2018, the average rural hospital had eight ICU beds, compared with 20 for a typical hospital in an urban area.

In Georgiana, a small town in southern Alabama, the only hospital closed last year and residents have now been forced to flock to the health clinic instead when a person in a town 5 miles (8 kilometers) away was diagnosed with COVID-19. More than 30% of Georgiana’s 1,600 residents are over age 60, putting them at higher risk with limited medical facilities to serve them, said Mayor Jerome Antone.

The town’s older residents, he said, are “aggressively upset” even though no one there has been diagnosed yet.

In Alaska’s Point Hope, an Inupiat whaling village at the edge of the Arctic Ocean nearly 700 miles&nbsp; north of Anchorage, tribal leaders have been preparing and discussing potential issues such as air travel into town. The state’s limited road system doesn’t reach the community of 900 people, which relies on planes for much of its connection to the outside world.

This week, one of the two airlines that serve Point Hope will begin restricting flights to cargo and passengers with medical or other essential needs.

Still, residents worry the recent deaths of two elders will bring out-of-town mourners for the funerals.

“We have all kinds of different people who come into our village,” said acting Mayor Daisy Sage. “This coronavirus is serious.”

Thousands of miles away, in South Dakota, falling prices for beef are generating as much — or more — worry than the virus.

Sam Stoddard, a cattle rancher near the small community of Kadoka, population 650, said futures markets for beef have dropped up to 30% because of the coronavirus. He’s worried about longtime ranchers being able to hang on.

If the market remains terrible, he said, ranchers can put off selling their calves until later in the year — but no one knows how long the economy will be in upheaval, leaving everyone stressed.

At the same time, the state has not shuttered businesses, leaving residents wondering what to expect next. South Dakota has 30 confirmed cases of the coronavirus.

“Normally this time of year we’re more worried about a big blizzard coming in and killing 10% of our calves. You know it’s coming, and you can prepare for it,” said Stoddard, who lives 35 miles (56 kilometers) from the nearest town of any size.

“With this, you don’t know what’s coming or what you should be doing.”

DUFUR, Ore. (AP) — The social distancing rules repeated like a mantra in America’s urban centers, where the coronavirus is spreading exponentially, might seem silly in wide-open places where neighbors live miles apart and “working from home” means another day spent branding calves or driving a tractor alone through a field.But as the pandemic spreads through the U.S., those living in rural areas, too, are increasingly threatened. Tiny towns tucked into Oregon’s windswept plains and cattle ranches miles from anywhere in South Dakota might not have had a single case of the new coronavirus, but their main streets are also empty and their medical clinics overwhelmed by the worried.Residents from rural Alabama to the woods of Vermont to the frozen reaches of Alaska fear the spread of the disease from outsiders, the social isolation that comes when the town’s only diner closes, and economic collapse in places where jobs were already tough to come by.“Nobody knows what to do and they’re just running in circles, so stay away from me is what I’m saying,” said Mike Filbin, a 70-year-old cattle rancher in Wasco County, Oregon, one of the few parts of the state that has yet to see a case of COVID-19.“Right now, we’re pretty clean over here, but we’re not immune to nothin’ — and if they start bringing it over, it’ll explode here.”To make matters worse, some of the most remote communities have limited or no internet access and spotty cellphone service. That makes telecommuting and online learning challenging in an era of blanket school and work closures, and it eliminates the possibility of the FaceTime card games and virtual cocktail hours that urban Americans have turned to in droves to stay connected.The routine ways that rural Americans connect — a bingo night, stopping in at a local diner or attending a potluck — are suddenly taboo.“Rural people are reliant on their neighbors and have more confidence and trust in their neighbors,” said Ken Johnson, a senior demographer at the Carsey School of Public Policy and professor of sociology at the University of New Hampshire. “Now you have people who are supposed to self-isolate themselves. What does that mean when people you depend on, in order to help you, are going to put themselves and their families at risk? I don’t know what that will do in rural America.”Neil Bradshaw, the mayor of Ketchum, Idaho, is starting to see the answer in his own community.The rural resort town has struggled since the arrival of COVID-19, and he fears if the virus lingers too long, it could devastate it. The town is nestled next door to the tony skiing destination Sun Valley Resort and is known as the second-home haven for dozens of celebrities.It’s also become the epicenter of Idaho’s caseload, with at least 35 cases and known community spread of the virus. At least 14 of the cases are among health care workers, forcing the town’s small medical workers to bring in replacement staffers from nearby cities.“Our town thrives on people coming to town, and for the first time in our history we are discouraging visitors,” said Bradshaw, of the town of 2,700 people. “Initially people had different levels of adoption, but there’s tremendous community pressure that we’re all in this together. We’ve gone from being a vibrant town to a ghost town.”The town’s coffers rely on a local option tax, and if that drops by half the city will have lost $700,000 in revenue, he said.Some communities have pushed back on shutdowns that have brought daily life to a standstill. Leaders from seven Utah counties, for example, sent a letter earlier this week to Gov. Gary Herbert urging a “return to normalcy,” and said the closure of schools and business was causing panic and hurting the economy.“As of (Monday), the total deaths attributed to the virus in the United States stands at ninety,” the letter states. “Not nine hundred, not nine thousand, not ninety thousand. Ninety. This number is sure to rise in the near future but we need to keep our wits about us.”Others worry about outsiders bringing the disease to truly remote areas that aren’t equipped to deal with it. Across the nation, there are over 51,000 general intensive care beds in urban counties, compared with just 5,600 in rural counties, according to data compiled by The Associated Press.Those beds serve a smaller population than in urban areas, but it would still take fewer people in rural areas to overwhelm a typical hospital. In fiscal year 2018, the average rural hospital had eight ICU beds, compared with 20 for a typical hospital in an urban area.In Georgiana, a small town in southern Alabama, the only hospital closed last year and residents have now been forced to flock to the health clinic instead when a person in a town 5 miles (8 kilometers) away was diagnosed with COVID-19. More than 30% of Georgiana’s 1,600 residents are over age 60, putting them at higher risk with limited medical facilities to serve them, said Mayor Jerome Antone.The town’s older residents, he said, are “aggressively upset” even though no one there has been diagnosed yet.In Alaska’s Point Hope, an Inupiat whaling village at the edge of the Arctic Ocean nearly 700 miles&nbsp; north of Anchorage, tribal leaders have been preparing and discussing potential issues such as air travel into town. The state’s limited road system doesn’t reach the community of 900 people, which relies on planes for much of its connection to the outside world.This week, one of the two airlines that serve Point Hope will begin restricting flights to cargo and passengers with medical or other essential needs.Still, residents worry the recent deaths of two elders will bring out-of-town mourners for the funerals.“We have all kinds of different people who come into our village,” said acting Mayor Daisy Sage. “This coronavirus is serious.”Thousands of miles away, in South Dakota, falling prices for beef are generating as much — or more — worry than the virus.Sam Stoddard, a cattle rancher near the small community of Kadoka, population 650, said futures markets for beef have dropped up to 30% because of the coronavirus. He’s worried about longtime ranchers being able to hang on.If the market remains terrible, he said, ranchers can put off selling their calves until later in the year — but no one knows how long the economy will be in upheaval, leaving everyone stressed.At the same time, the state has not shuttered businesses, leaving residents wondering what to expect next. South Dakota has 30 confirmed cases of the coronavirus.“Normally this time of year we’re more worried about a big blizzard coming in and killing 10% of our calves. You know it’s coming, and you can prepare for it,” said Stoddard, who lives 35 miles (56 kilometers) from the nearest town of any size.“With this, you don’t know what’s coming or what you should be doing.”___

Rural America watches pandemic erupt in cities as fear grows


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
A seventh case of COVID-19 was identified Friday night in Reno County.

The Reno County Health Department says the new case is a female in her 70s with no known travel history. She is in home isolation. Case investigation is currently underway. No additional information is available.

The county does not publish or announce identifiable data, though when working through contact training, they may inform those with potential exposure of contact. It is important to the county to follow HIPAA Privacy Laws for every person involved in case investigations.

It is extremely important that Reno County residents adhere to no more than 10 individuals in a gathering with social distancing of 6 feet between individuals and that those restrictions be exercised consistently.

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HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
A seventh case of COVID-19 was identified Friday night in Reno County.The Reno County Health Department says the new case is a female in her 70s with no known travel history. She is in home isolation. Case investigation is currently underway. No additional information is available.The county does not publish or announce identifiable data, though when working through contact training, they may inform those with potential exposure of contact. It is important to the county to follow HIPAA Privacy Laws for every person involved in case investigations.It is extremely important that Reno County residents adhere to no more than 10 individuals in a gathering with social distancing of 6 feet between individuals and that those restrictions be exercised consistently.The department continues to highly encourage Reno County residents to be dependent on health authorities to provide the most accurate information on COVID-19.Please practice good hygiene with frequent hand washing, proper respiratory etiquette such as coughing and sneezing into your elbow bend, limit handshakes and physical contact. Stay home if you are feeling ill and call your primary care physician to discuss your symptoms.

Seventh COVID-19 case identified Friday

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Friday signed a $2.2 trillion economic rescue package, calling the bill much-needed relief for American workers reeling from the economic tumult caused by the coronavirus.

Trump signed the bill in Oval Office ceremony surrounded by Republican lawmakers and members of his administration shortly after the Democratic-controlled House approved the massive spending package. Under the plan, many single Americans would receive $1,200, married couples would get $2,400 and parents would see $500 for each child.

The signing came the after the U.S. government on Thursday reported nearly 3.3 million new weekly jobless claims. The U.S. death toll has surpassed 1,200 from the virus.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585342982232.png" alt="President Trump signed the bill Friday afternoon -photo White House" />
 <figcaption>President Trump signed the bill Friday afternoon -photo White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Friday signed a $2.2 trillion economic rescue package, calling the bill much-needed relief for American workers reeling from the economic tumult caused by the coronavirus.Trump signed the bill in Oval Office ceremony surrounded by Republican lawmakers and members of his administration shortly after the Democratic-controlled House approved the massive spending package. Under the plan, many single Americans would receive $1,200, married couples would get $2,400 and parents would see $500 for each child.The signing came the after the U.S. government on Thursday reported nearly 3.3 million new weekly jobless claims. The U.S. death toll has surpassed 1,200 from the virus.___

Trump signs $2.2 Trillion virus relief package

Salina Regional Health Center was informed Thursday night that one of its employees tested positive for coronavirus.&nbsp;

On Friday afternoon, commissioners in Saline County issued a 30-day stay-at-home order that is scheduled to begin 12:01 a.m. Monday.

A full investigation of the positive coronavirus case, as outlined by CDC and KDHE, is underway to determine previous contacts with the employee, according to the health department. Any patient, visitor or employee that is deemed at risk for potential exposure will be notified by Infection Control with further instructions.&nbsp;

"While it's unknown how or when our staff member gained exposure to COVID-19, it's not a surprise to anyone. Cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in nearby communities throughout our region. We anticipate that COVID-19 also is present in Saline County, however, without the ability to test everyone, many cases cannot be laboratory confirmed.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Salina Regional Health Center makes the health and well-being of our staff and our patients a top priority.&nbsp; We continue to screen all patients and visitors to our facilities.&nbsp; Our staff members self-screen daily before reporting to work following CDC and KDHE guidelines. Those who do not pass the screening questions are asked not to report to work.

Proper social distancing, hand hygiene and recognition of the symptoms of COVID-19 remain our best defense against the spread of the virus. If you have a fever, cough or shortness of breath, or suspect you've gained exposure to COVID-19, contact your medical provider or one of our clinics for the best way to proceed with care.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584111668151.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Salina Regional Health Center was informed Thursday night that one of its employees tested positive for coronavirus.&nbsp;On Friday afternoon, commissioners in Saline County issued a 30-day stay-at-home order that is scheduled to begin 12:01 a.m. Monday.A full investigation of the positive coronavirus case, as outlined by CDC and KDHE, is underway to determine previous contacts with the employee, according to the health department. Any patient, visitor or employee that is deemed at risk for potential exposure will be notified by Infection Control with further instructions.&nbsp;"While it's unknown how or when our staff member gained exposure to COVID-19, it's not a surprise to anyone. Cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in nearby communities throughout our region. We anticipate that COVID-19 also is present in Saline County, however, without the ability to test everyone, many cases cannot be laboratory confirmed.&nbsp; &nbsp;Salina Regional Health Center makes the health and well-being of our staff and our patients a top priority.&nbsp; We continue to screen all patients and visitors to our facilities.&nbsp; Our staff members self-screen daily before reporting to work following CDC and KDHE guidelines. Those who do not pass the screening questions are asked not to report to work.Proper social distancing, hand hygiene and recognition of the symptoms of COVID-19 remain our best defense against the spread of the virus. If you have a fever, cough or shortness of breath, or suspect you've gained exposure to COVID-19, contact your medical provider or one of our clinics for the best way to proceed with care.

Salina confirms positive coronavirus test; County issues stay-at-home order

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas City-area man in his 80s with underlying health concerns is the fourth person in Kansas to die of the coronavirus, state health officials said Friday. He was diagnosed Monday and died Thursday, according to the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City health department.

The University of Kansas Health System reported Friday that it is treating 18 confirmed cases, including 10 in intensive care.&nbsp;

&nbsp;The other three people who died also lived in the Kansas City area.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, or death.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas City-area man in his 80s with underlying health concerns is the fourth person in Kansas to die of the coronavirus, state health officials said Friday. He was diagnosed Monday and died Thursday, according to the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City health department.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FKDHEnews%2Fvideos%2F2275555782749312%2F&show_text=1&width=560" width="560" height="512" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>The University of Kansas Health System reported Friday that it is treating 18 confirmed cases, including 10 in intensive care.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585342862461.jpeg" alt="COVID-19 March 27 2020_.jpg" />
 <figcaption>COVID-19 March 27 2020_.jpg</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;The other three people who died also lived in the Kansas City area.For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, or death.

🎥  The Latest Kansas coronavirus numbers; death toll grows to 4

SEDGWICK COUNTY— The spread of the coronavirus across Kansas prompted officials to set some inmates free.

Sedgwick County announced Thursday it had released about 200 inmates from the county jail to free space to isolate inmates who become ill with the virus in the coming weeks.

 According to Sedgwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett.

"On March 12, the jail provided my office a list of everyone in the jail (including those housed at the annex or out-of-county). 

 We started with 1,645 inmates involving 1,689 district court cases; From there we whittled out defendants being held of cases with SL4 and above which got us down to 1307 cases involving 1038 defendants.

From that group 154 are awaiting sentencing (according to a list provided by a the district court); 

There had been approximately 95 cases awaiting a hearing for a probation violation according to information from the jail earlier this week. (that number changed by Friday)


 
We went through the list and identified 150 people last week that could be released on bond without posing a community safety risk – namely, traffic cases; property crimes; drug cases.  Efforts are under way currently to go through the remaining cases again to look for additional cases that may be viable for release without posing a community safety risk. 


 
We started the process of handling probation violation hearings Wednesday.&nbsp; More probation violation hearings and sentencing hearings are being scheduled.  We continue to work with the defense counsel to provide the court with lists of cases ready for hearing while complying with victim notification requirements."

The state reported Thursday that it has at least&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/c043c295047975299ee4e582efcb8964">168 confirmed cases</a>&nbsp;of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak">the coronavirus</a>, an increase of 42 from Wednesday. Three corornavirus-related deaths have been reported.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583595393760.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY— The spread of the coronavirus across Kansas prompted officials to set some inmates free.Sedgwick County announced Thursday it had released about 200 inmates from the county jail to free space to isolate inmates who become ill with the virus in the coming weeks. According to Sedgwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett."On March 12, the jail provided my office a list of everyone in the jail (including those housed at the annex or out-of-county). We started with 1,645 inmates involving 1,689 district court cases; From there we whittled out defendants being held of cases with SL4 and above which got us down to 1307 cases involving 1038 defendants.From that group 154 are awaiting sentencing (according to a list provided by a the district court); There had been approximately 95 cases awaiting a hearing for a probation violation according to information from the jail earlier this week. (that number changed by Friday)
 
We went through the list and identified 150 people last week that could be released on bond without posing a community safety risk – namely, traffic cases; property crimes; drug cases. Efforts are under way currently to go through the remaining cases again to look for additional cases that may be viable for release without posing a community safety risk. 
 
We started the process of handling probation violation hearings Wednesday.&nbsp; More probation violation hearings and sentencing hearings are being scheduled. We continue to work with the defense counsel to provide the court with lists of cases ready for hearing while complying with victim notification requirements."The state reported Thursday that it has at least&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/c043c295047975299ee4e582efcb8964">168 confirmed cases</a>&nbsp;of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak">the coronavirus</a>, an increase of 42 from Wednesday. Three corornavirus-related deaths have been reported.

Some Kansas inmates set free amid coronavirus outbreak

<a href="https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html">Click here </a>to see the worldwide map of confirmed cases

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. coronavirus infections surged to top the world amid warnings that the pandemic is accelerating in cities like New York, Chicago and Detroit, while a record $2.2 trillion emergency package neared final approval Friday by Congress to help millions of newly unemployed Americans and struggling companies.

The situation in countries with even more fragile health care systems grew more dire on Friday. Russia, Indonesia and South Africa all passed the 1,000-infection mark and South Africa began a three-week lockdown. India launched a massive program to help feed hungry day laborers after a lockdown of the country's 1.3 billion people put them out of work.

In France, a 16-year-old student became the youngest person in the country to die from the virus. Her sister, Manon, spoke out in the French media, saying that Julie was hospitalized Monday after developing a “slight cough” last week, then died Tuesday at the Necker children's hospital in Paris.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585262392479.png" alt="Map courtesy John Hopkins <a href="https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html">Coronavirus Resource Center</a>" />
 <figcaption>Map courtesy John Hopkins <a href="https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html">Coronavirus Resource Center</a></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html">Click here </a>to see the worldwide map of confirmed casesNEW YORK (AP) — U.S. coronavirus infections surged to top the world amid warnings that the pandemic is accelerating in cities like New York, Chicago and Detroit, while a record $2.2 trillion emergency package neared final approval Friday by Congress to help millions of newly unemployed Americans and struggling companies.The situation in countries with even more fragile health care systems grew more dire on Friday. Russia, Indonesia and South Africa all passed the 1,000-infection mark and South Africa began a three-week lockdown. India launched a massive program to help feed hungry day laborers after a lockdown of the country's 1.3 billion people put them out of work.In France, a 16-year-old student became the youngest person in the country to die from the virus. Her sister, Manon, spoke out in the French media, saying that Julie was hospitalized Monday after developing a “slight cough” last week, then died Tuesday at the Necker children's hospital in Paris.“We must stop believing that this only affects the elderly,” said Manon, who did not reveal her surname. "No one is invincible against this mutant virus.”France has reported more than 1,600 deaths so far amid 29,000 infections.The U.S. now has more than 85,000 confirmed cases, and Italy was set to pass China's 81,782 infections later Friday. The three countries account for 46% of the world's nearly 540,000 infections and more than half of its acknowledged virus deaths.Analysts, however warned that all those infection figures could be low for reasons that varied in each nation.“China numbers can't be trusted because the government lies,” American political scientist Ian Bremmer, president of the Euraisa Group think-tank, said Friday in a tweet. “U.S. numbers can't be trusted because the government can't produce enough tests.”Italian epidemiologists warn that the country's numbers are likely much higher than reported — perhaps five times as higher — although two weeks into a nationwide lockdown the daily increase seems to be slowing, at least in northern Italy.“It’s a horrible sensation, not being able to breathe,” said Fausto Russo, a 38-year-old fitness trainer who is one of 10,000 Italians whose infection has been cured. “Imagine putting your head under water.”Health care workers grew increasingly angry at the lack of protective equipment."Our emergency room was like a petri dish,” said Benny Mathew, a nurse at New York's Montefiore Medical Center who heard Thursday he had COVID-19 and is now worried he may infect his wife and two daughters.“I’m angry. We could have secured enough personal protective equipment months ago. It was happening in China since December,” he said. “But we thought it was never going to happen here.”For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. But for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, the virus can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.The worldwide death toll climbed to over 24,000, according to Johns Hopkins University but more than 124,000 people have recovered, about half in China.New York state, the epicenter of the U.S. outbreak., reported 100 more deaths in one day, accounting for almost 30% of the 1,300 fatalities nationwide. Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the number of deaths will increase soon as critically ill patients who have been on ventilators for days succumb.“That is a situation where people just deteriorate over time,” Cuomo said.The White House's coronavirus response coordinator, Deborah Birx, said counties in the Midwest around Chicago and Detroit are seeing a rapid increase in cases.Washington, D.C., confirmed 36 new cases, raising its total to 267. The district is under a state of emergency, its major attractions like the Smithsonian museums and National Zoo closed and White House and Capitol tours cancelled. Police have blocked off streets, bridges and traffic circles to prevent crowds from coming to see Washington’s blooming cherry blossom trees.Russian authorities ramped up testing this week after widespread criticism of insufficient screening.The stay-home order for India's 1.3 billion people threw out of work the backbone of the nation’s economy — rickshaw drivers, fruit peddlers, cleaners and others who buy food with their daily earnings. The government announced a $22 billion stimulus to deliver monthly rations to 800 million people.India's massive train system was also halted to stop the spread of the virus but that might not work. Jobless workers are now attempting to walk hundreds of miles to their home villages from India's major cities.In China, where the virus was first believed to have started, the National Health Commission on Friday reported 55 new cases, 54 of them imported infections. Once again, there were no new cases reported in Wuhan, the provincial capital where the coronavirus first emerged in December. China is barring most foreigners from entering.In a phone call Friday, Chinese leader Xi Jinping told U.S. President Donald Trump that China "understands the United States' current predicament over the COVID-19 outbreak and stands ready to provide support within its capacity."The two countries should “work together to boost cooperation in epidemic control and other fields, and develop a relationship of non-conflict, non-confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation," the official Xinhua News Agency reported.The pandemic appears to have peaked in China, even while the government remains on guard against imported cases. Beijing is sending medical teams and equipment abroad, especially to Europe. But it has strongly protested U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's repeated references to the outbreak as the "Wuhan Flu," saying that promotes bias against China and Chinese Americans.The economic damage of the pandemic was growing. Italy shut down most of its industry, and a record-shattering 3.3 million Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week — nearly five times the old record set in 1982. Companies in Europe are laying off workers at the fastest pace since 2009, according to surveys of business managers.Despite that, Wall Street rallied for the third straight day after an unprecedented $2.2 trillion economic rescue package to help businesses, hospitals and ordinary Americans passed the Senate. The rescue plan, which is expected to be voted on in the House later Friday, would dispense checks of $1,200 per adult and $500 per child.———NEW YORK — The United States now leads the world in the number of confirmed coronavirus cases.According to a running count by Johns Hopkins University, the number of people infected in the U.S. topped 82,000 on Thursday. That’s just ahead of the 81,000 cases in China and 80,000 in Italy.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585263243550.png" alt="Numbers as of 5p.m. CDT March 26, 2020" />
 <figcaption>Numbers as of 5p.m. CDT March 26, 2020</figcaption>
 </figure>Italy has the most confirmed deaths of any country with more than 8,000. More than 1,000 people have died in the U.S including 281 in New York City.___

Coronavirus Update