MISSION, Kan. (AP) — State officials said Friday Kansas may be nearing or has already reached its peak in COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths, leaving the state to focus on the economic fallout of closing businesses to stem the spread.

Kansas saw the number of deaths drop Friday from 112 to 111 after an investigation determined one of the previously counted fatalities was not related to the coronavirus. Positive cases increased by 295 to 2,777. But the increase comes as the state, whose testing rate had been among the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/f6828656a14b81e1b0d695662b58ec3e">lowest&nbsp;</a>in the nation, works to boost testing.

Gov. Laura Kelly said it appears the state is “headed toward the downhill slope of this journey.”

“We should be able to proceed with our transition from response to recovery next week as planned,” Kelly said. That includes working on a plan for spending federal aid, reopening the economy in phases and identifying a strategy for “addressing an imminent budget crisis.”

The National Governors Association is calling on Congress to approve $500 billion more for direct aid to states, and Kelly said such funding is critical. The emergency federal funding that has been approved so far can’t be used by state’s to plug holes in their budgets.

Kelly noted Kansas is facing a projected 8.1% shortfall in its next state budget after a new fiscal forecast slashed projections for expected tax collections over the next 15 months by nearly $1.37 billion, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/66bc36a2cf33d0b60df265bdd0b70a70">projections</a>&nbsp;released earlier this week.

“The Great Recession cuts were brutal, but they occurred gradually,” Kelly said, adding that without federal help, “Kansas will be forced to make all of those cuts in just one budget cycle.”

She said it is particularly crucial to protect education, health care and infrastructure spending.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms 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 and death.

In Kansas, the cases are heavily concentrated in nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities, where there are 19 clusters and 63 deaths, 57% of the state’s total. Federal and state officials also are monitoring outbreaks in six meatpacking plants, where 250 are infected.

Dr. Lee Norman, the state’s health director, said the state is beginning to have the capacity not just to test the ill, but to conduct surveillance testing to determine the prevalence of the virus in different communities.

“One of the things we do not want to do is fly blind in terms of predicting and in terms of allocating resources,” Norman said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587774515099.png" alt="Dr. Lee Norman responds to a question during Friday's press conference" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Lee Norman responds to a question during Friday's press conference</figcaption>
 </figure>MISSION, Kan. (AP) — State officials said Friday Kansas may be nearing or has already reached its peak in COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths, leaving the state to focus on the economic fallout of closing businesses to stem the spread.Kansas saw the number of deaths drop Friday from 112 to 111 after an investigation determined one of the previously counted fatalities was not related to the coronavirus. Positive cases increased by 295 to 2,777. But the increase comes as the state, whose testing rate had been among the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/f6828656a14b81e1b0d695662b58ec3e">lowest&nbsp;</a>in the nation, works to boost testing.Gov. Laura Kelly said it appears the state is “headed toward the downhill slope of this journey.”“We should be able to proceed with our transition from response to recovery next week as planned,” Kelly said. That includes working on a plan for spending federal aid, reopening the economy in phases and identifying a strategy for “addressing an imminent budget crisis.”The National Governors Association is calling on Congress to approve $500 billion more for direct aid to states, and Kelly said such funding is critical. The emergency federal funding that has been approved so far can’t be used by state’s to plug holes in their budgets.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587774640369.png" alt="On Friday afternoon, Governor Laura Kelly said, "The state is headed toward the downhill slope of this journey.”" />
 <figcaption>On Friday afternoon, Governor Laura Kelly said, "The state is headed toward the downhill slope of this journey.”</figcaption>
 </figure>Kelly noted Kansas is facing a projected 8.1% shortfall in its next state budget after a new fiscal forecast slashed projections for expected tax collections over the next 15 months by nearly $1.37 billion, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/66bc36a2cf33d0b60df265bdd0b70a70">projections</a>&nbsp;released earlier this week.“The Great Recession cuts were brutal, but they occurred gradually,” Kelly said, adding that without federal help, “Kansas will be forced to make all of those cuts in just one budget cycle.”She said it is particularly crucial to protect education, health care and infrastructure spending.For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms 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 and death.In Kansas, the cases are heavily concentrated in nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities, where there are 19 clusters and 63 deaths, 57% of the state’s total. Federal and state officials also are monitoring outbreaks in six meatpacking plants, where 250 are infected.Dr. Lee Norman, the state’s health director, said the state is beginning to have the capacity not just to test the ill, but to conduct surveillance testing to determine the prevalence of the virus in different communities.“One of the things we do not want to do is fly blind in terms of predicting and in terms of allocating resources,” Norman said.

Officials: Kansas may be near peak in coronavirus deaths

As of 7:00 p.m. April 24, Reno County has registered twenty-four positive cases of COVID-19:

• First new positive case is a female in her 40’s with exposure from out of county travel.

• Second positive case is a male in his 60’s with an unknown source of exposure.

• Third positive case is a male in his 30’s with an unknown source of exposure.

• Fourth positive case is a male in his 30’s with an unknown source of exposure.

All four are in home isolation per guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We cannot currently release any further information as case contact investigation is underway.

Six previously confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Reno County have completed recovery and are non-symptomatic per disease investigation guidelines from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

Our Health Department has a self-reporting form hosted on its COVID-19 Information Center

We encourage residents to self-report their symptomology through the self-report form to better assist in tracking case contact and spread within the county. This form is designed to both capture responses from those who have already been experiencing symptoms prior to today as well as those residents who begin to showcase symptoms in the coming weeks and months.

Remember the State of Kansas is under a Statewide Stay Home Order. This means all citizens are directed to stay in their homes unless performing an essential activity as described in Executive Order No. 20-16 signed by the Governor of Kansas.

We continue 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&nbsp; 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/2020/4/1587757302898.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>As of 7:00 p.m. April 24, Reno County has registered twenty-four positive cases of COVID-19:• First new positive case is a female in her 40’s with exposure from out of county travel.• Second positive case is a male in his 60’s with an unknown source of exposure.• Third positive case is a male in his 30’s with an unknown source of exposure.• Fourth positive case is a male in his 30’s with an unknown source of exposure.All four are in home isolation per guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We cannot currently release any further information as case contact investigation is underway.Six previously confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Reno County have completed recovery and are non-symptomatic per disease investigation guidelines from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.Our Health Department has a self-reporting form hosted on its COVID-19 Information Center(https://www.renogov.org/741/COVID-19). We encourage residents to self-report their symptomology through the self-report form to better assist in tracking case contact and spread within the county. This form is designed to both capture responses from those who have already been experiencing symptoms prior to today as well as those residents who begin to showcase symptoms in the coming weeks and months.Remember the State of Kansas is under a Statewide Stay Home Order. This means all citizens are directed to stay in their homes unless performing an essential activity as described in Executive Order No. 20-16 signed by the Governor of Kansas.We continue 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&nbsp; bend, limit handshakes and physical contact. Stay home if you are feeling ill and call your primary care physician to discuss your symptoms.

Health Department: Four more cases come back, total at 24

ALBANY,&nbsp; N.Y. —To end his daily press conference Friday, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo shared a letter he received from a farmer in northeast Kansas.&nbsp;

According to Cuomo, the farmer's wife is ill and he is aging.&nbsp;

"He sent me 1 of 5 N95 masks he has from farming to pass on to a doctor or nurse in New York. This is humanity at its best. I share his letter as inspiration."&nbsp;&nbsp;

Fast forward to 22:05 to listen to Cuomo read the letter.

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly also shared comments about the letter on social media and said, "This incredible example of kindness and generosity is the epitome of what it means to be a Kansan. I am so proud to be the governor of this great state."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587753434953.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>ALBANY,&nbsp; N.Y. —To end his daily press conference Friday, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo shared a letter he received from a farmer in northeast Kansas.&nbsp;According to Cuomo, the farmer's wife is ill and he is aging.&nbsp;"He sent me 1 of 5 N95 masks he has from farming to pass on to a doctor or nurse in New York. This is humanity at its best. I share his letter as inspiration."&nbsp;&nbsp;Fast forward to 22:05 to listen to Cuomo read the letter.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Holding a briefing with updates on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Coronavirus?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Coronavirus</a>. Watch Live: <a href="https://t.co/G8ZpT8sfoR">https://t.co/G8ZpT8sfoR</a>&mdash; Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) <a href="https://twitter.com/NYGovCuomo/status/1253708565212041216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 24, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly also shared comments about the letter on social media and said, "This incredible example of kindness and generosity is the epitome of what it means to be a Kansan. I am so proud to be the governor of this great state."

New York governor shares letter from Kansas farmer


HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Reno County has registered two more cases of COVID-19. The new cases are a female in her 40's with a known exposure from travel and a second female in her 40's with an unknown source of exposure. They are both in home isolation per guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Case contact investigation is underway.

Six previously confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Reno County have since completed recovery and are nonsymptomatic.

The health department continues to have the self-reporting form hosted on its COVID-19 Information Center (https://www.renogov.org/741/COVID-19). The Health Department seeks to mobilize residents to self-report their symptomology through the self-report form to better assist in quantifying and tracking case contact and spread within the county.

This form is designed to both capture responses from those who have already been experiencing symptoms prior to today as well as those residents who begin to showcase symptoms in the coming weeks and months.

Remember the State of Kansas is under a Statewide Stay Home Order. This means all citizens are directed to stay in their homes unless performing an essential activity as described in Executive Order No. 20-16 signed by the Governor of Kansas. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587662794944.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Reno County has registered two more cases of COVID-19. The new cases are a female in her 40's with a known exposure from travel and a second female in her 40's with an unknown source of exposure. They are both in home isolation per guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Case contact investigation is underway.Six previously confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Reno County have since completed recovery and are nonsymptomatic.The health department continues to have the self-reporting form hosted on its COVID-19 Information Center (https://www.renogov.org/741/COVID-19). The Health Department seeks to mobilize residents to self-report their symptomology through the self-report form to better assist in quantifying and tracking case contact and spread within the county.This form is designed to both capture responses from those who have already been experiencing symptoms prior to today as well as those residents who begin to showcase symptoms in the coming weeks and months.Remember the State of Kansas is under a Statewide Stay Home Order. This means all citizens are directed to stay in their homes unless performing an essential activity as described in Executive Order No. 20-16 signed by the Governor of Kansas. We continue to highly encourage Reno County residents to be dependent on health authorities to provide the most accurate information on COVID-19.

Two more positive cases of COVID-19 in Reno County registered, 13 active as of Friday


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;Buhler USD 313 clarified on Friday the new compensation structure for newly hired bus drivers.

"Our new system will be $25 per hour, with a minimum guarantee of two hours," said Shane Hecox with the district. "We're kind of moving away from offering benefits to that group, but with the higher wage, we're hoping that will attract more drivers."

This does not change the compensation for current drivers, though, unless they want it changed.

"Current bus drivers were hired on with benefits," Hecox said. "We definitely do not want to hurt them, so that will be continued, grandfathered in. If you currently take, for example, our health insurance benefit, you would continue to get that benefit, as well as the 403(b) match."

Current drivers are paid $13 an hour with a minimum of 3.5 hours per route.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584543839140.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>
By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;Buhler USD 313 clarified on Friday the new compensation structure for newly hired bus drivers."Our new system will be $25 per hour, with a minimum guarantee of two hours," said Shane Hecox with the district. "We're kind of moving away from offering benefits to that group, but with the higher wage, we're hoping that will attract more drivers."This does not change the compensation for current drivers, though, unless they want it changed."Current bus drivers were hired on with benefits," Hecox said. "We definitely do not want to hurt them, so that will be continued, grandfathered in. If you currently take, for example, our health insurance benefit, you would continue to get that benefit, as well as the 403(b) match."Current drivers are paid $13 an hour with a minimum of 3.5 hours per route.

Bus drivers with benefits grandfathered in USD 313, new drivers won't have them

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is pitching “emerging” research on the benefits of sunlight and humidity in diminishing the threat of the coronavirus as President Donald Trump encourages states to move to reopen their economies.

Past studies have not found good evidence that the warmer temperatures and higher humidity of spring and summer will help tamp down the spread of the virus.

But William Bryan of the Department of Homeland Security said at a White House briefing Thursday that there are “emerging results” from new research that suggest solar light has a powerful effect in killing the virus on surfaces and in the air. He said scientists have seen a similar effect from higher temperatures and humidity. A biocontainment lab in Maryland has been conducting testing on the virus since February, Bryan said.

“The virus is dying at a much more rapid pace just from exposure to higher temperatures and just from exposure to humidity,” Bryan said.

Bryan said having more knowledge about this could help governors when making decisions about how and when to open their state economies. However, he stressed that the emerging results of the light and heat studies do not replace social distancing recommendations.

Trump, who has consistently looked for hopeful news about containing the virus, was asked if it was dangerous to make people think they would be safe by going outside in the heat, considering that so many people have died in Florida.

“I hope people enjoy the sun. And if it has an impact, that’s great,” Trump replied, adding, “It’s just a suggestion from a brilliant lab by a very, very smart, perhaps brilliant man.”

“I’m here to present ideas, because we want ideas to get rid of this thing. And if heat is good, and if sunlight is good, that’s a great thing as far as I’m concerned,” the president said.

Trump noted that the researchers were also looking at the effects of disinfectants on the virus and wondered aloud if they could be injected into people, saying the virus “does a tremendous number on the lungs, so it would be interesting to check that.” Bryan said there was no consideration of that.

The president has often talked up prospects for new therapies and offered rosy timelines for the development of a vaccine.

Earlier in the month, scientific advisers told the White House there’s no good evidence yet that the heat and humidity of summer will rein in the virus without continued public health measures.

Researchers convened by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine analyzed studies done so far to test virus survival under different laboratory conditions as well as tracking where and how COVID-19 has spread so far.

“Given that countries currently in ‘summer’ climates, such as Australia and Iran, are experiencing rapid virus spread, a decrease in cases with increases in humidity and temperature elsewhere should not be assumed,” the researchers wrote earlier in April in response to questions from the White House Office of Science and Technology.

In addition, the report cited the global lack of immunity to the new virus and concluded, “if there is an effect of temperature and humidity on transmission, it may not be as apparent as with other respiratory viruses for which there is at least some preexisting partial immunity.”

They noted that during 10 previous flu pandemics, regardless of what season they started, all had a peak second wave about six months after the virus first emerged.

In March, Dr. Michael Ryan, the World Health Organization’s emergencies chief. said, “We have to assume that the virus will continue to have the capacity to spread, and it’s a false hope to say yes, it will just disappear in the summertime like influenza.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587725492311.png" alt="President Trump and William Bryan, Science and Technology Director at the Department of Homeland Security" />
 <figcaption>President Trump and William Bryan, Science and Technology Director at the Department of Homeland Security</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is pitching “emerging” research on the benefits of sunlight and humidity in diminishing the threat of the coronavirus as President Donald Trump encourages states to move to reopen their economies.Past studies have not found good evidence that the warmer temperatures and higher humidity of spring and summer will help tamp down the spread of the virus.But William Bryan of the Department of Homeland Security said at a White House briefing Thursday that there are “emerging results” from new research that suggest solar light has a powerful effect in killing the virus on surfaces and in the air. He said scientists have seen a similar effect from higher temperatures and humidity. A biocontainment lab in Maryland has been conducting testing on the virus since February, Bryan said.“The virus is dying at a much more rapid pace just from exposure to higher temperatures and just from exposure to humidity,” Bryan said.Bryan said having more knowledge about this could help governors when making decisions about how and when to open their state economies. However, he stressed that the emerging results of the light and heat studies do not replace social distancing recommendations.Trump, who has consistently looked for hopeful news about containing the virus, was asked if it was dangerous to make people think they would be safe by going outside in the heat, considering that so many people have died in Florida.“I hope people enjoy the sun. And if it has an impact, that’s great,” Trump replied, adding, “It’s just a suggestion from a brilliant lab by a very, very smart, perhaps brilliant man.”“I’m here to present ideas, because we want ideas to get rid of this thing. And if heat is good, and if sunlight is good, that’s a great thing as far as I’m concerned,” the president said.Trump noted that the researchers were also looking at the effects of disinfectants on the virus and wondered aloud if they could be injected into people, saying the virus “does a tremendous number on the lungs, so it would be interesting to check that.” Bryan said there was no consideration of that.The president has often talked up prospects for new therapies and offered rosy timelines for the development of a vaccine.Earlier in the month, scientific advisers told the White House there’s no good evidence yet that the heat and humidity of summer will rein in the virus without continued public health measures.Researchers convened by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine analyzed studies done so far to test virus survival under different laboratory conditions as well as tracking where and how COVID-19 has spread so far.“Given that countries currently in ‘summer’ climates, such as Australia and Iran, are experiencing rapid virus spread, a decrease in cases with increases in humidity and temperature elsewhere should not be assumed,” the researchers wrote earlier in April in response to questions from the White House Office of Science and Technology.In addition, the report cited the global lack of immunity to the new virus and concluded, “if there is an effect of temperature and humidity on transmission, it may not be as apparent as with other respiratory viruses for which there is at least some preexisting partial immunity.”They noted that during 10 previous flu pandemics, regardless of what season they started, all had a peak second wave about six months after the virus first emerged.In March, Dr. Michael Ryan, the World Health Organization’s emergencies chief. said, “We have to assume that the virus will continue to have the capacity to spread, and it’s a false hope to say yes, it will just disappear in the summertime like influenza.”

White House: Heat, humidity could help fight virus


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;The additional $600 that federal authorities are providing for unemployment through July is useful in getting people to stay home. The concern is, if the pandemic's danger is reduced before that time, there may be some incentives that make it tougher on businesses.

"We're going to have a very, very difficult time, especially for smaller businesses that can't afford to pay enough to match what people are making on unemployment," said Phil Kerpen, an American free-market policy analyst with American Commitment. "They're going to have a very difficult time getting back up off the ground, even when things do open up again."

Part of the issue is that those who couldn't initially get Paycheck Protection Program funds and then ask their people back may not get the answer they are looking for.

"In order to qualify for the loan forgiveness, the conversion of the loan to a grant, businesses have to maintain their head count, I think they have to maintain 90% or something like that," Kerpen said. "That could be difficult if you're calling people that you're trying to return from furlough and they're saying, you know, I'm making more, can you match what I'm getting on unemployment, or that kind of thing."

The employer could call the unemployment office and tell them that they offered the person a job that they turned down, but most won't want to be the bad guy, or frankly have time to do it.

"Democrats said they did this on purpose," Kerpen said. "We want unemployment to pay more than work. Republicans were sort of shocked by that. In the Senate, they thought it was a mistake. When the bill first came out, they said, oh, there's a drafting error here, you've accidentally not limited unemployment to 100 percent of wages, as you had said in your talking points you wanted to do and the Democrats said, oh no, that's no mistake, we wanted to do it this way."

That's a source of frustration for those who are going to work, some of them as front line workers at grocery stores or in healthcare that are getting paid less to put themselves at risk than they would make on unemployment. $600 a week, which is the federal addition to the state benefit, is $15 an hour for a 40-hour week.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581346070421.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>
By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;The additional $600 that federal authorities are providing for unemployment through July is useful in getting people to stay home. The concern is, if the pandemic's danger is reduced before that time, there may be some incentives that make it tougher on businesses."We're going to have a very, very difficult time, especially for smaller businesses that can't afford to pay enough to match what people are making on unemployment," said Phil Kerpen, an American free-market policy analyst with American Commitment. "They're going to have a very difficult time getting back up off the ground, even when things do open up again."Part of the issue is that those who couldn't initially get Paycheck Protection Program funds and then ask their people back may not get the answer they are looking for."In order to qualify for the loan forgiveness, the conversion of the loan to a grant, businesses have to maintain their head count, I think they have to maintain 90% or something like that," Kerpen said. "That could be difficult if you're calling people that you're trying to return from furlough and they're saying, you know, I'm making more, can you match what I'm getting on unemployment, or that kind of thing."The employer could call the unemployment office and tell them that they offered the person a job that they turned down, but most won't want to be the bad guy, or frankly have time to do it."Democrats said they did this on purpose," Kerpen said. "We want unemployment to pay more than work. Republicans were sort of shocked by that. In the Senate, they thought it was a mistake. When the bill first came out, they said, oh, there's a drafting error here, you've accidentally not limited unemployment to 100 percent of wages, as you had said in your talking points you wanted to do and the Democrats said, oh no, that's no mistake, we wanted to do it this way."That's a source of frustration for those who are going to work, some of them as front line workers at grocery stores or in healthcare that are getting paid less to put themselves at risk than they would make on unemployment. $600 a week, which is the federal addition to the state benefit, is $15 an hour for a 40-hour week.

Kerpen: Unemployment plan may last too long for small businesses


RICE COUNTY — Rice County confirmed on Thursday its first case of COVID-19.

The case is a female in her early twenties without underlying health conditions. Contacts of the known case are awaiting test results.

Local residents were reminded by Rice County Health Department Administrator and Health Officer, Marci Detmer to avoid non-essential trips and stay home when they can, limit dining service to carry out or delivery, that visitors should be limited in retirement communities and long-term care centers and avoid gatherings and if you must be in public, maintain six feet of distance between you and other people and wear a mask.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587662794944.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>
RICE COUNTY — Rice County confirmed on Thursday its first case of COVID-19.The case is a female in her early twenties without underlying health conditions. Contacts of the known case are awaiting test results.Local residents were reminded by Rice County Health Department Administrator and Health Officer, Marci Detmer to avoid non-essential trips and stay home when they can, limit dining service to carry out or delivery, that visitors should be limited in retirement communities and long-term care centers and avoid gatherings and if you must be in public, maintain six feet of distance between you and other people and wear a mask.

Rice County announces first confirmed COVID-19 case Thursday

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress delivered a nearly $500 billion infusion of coronavirus spending Thursday, rushing new relief to employers and hospitals buckling under the strain of a pandemic that has claimed almost 50,000 American lives and one in six U.S. jobs.

The measure passed almost unanimously, but the lopsided tally belies a potentially bumpier path ahead as battle lines are being formed for much more ambitious future legislation that may prove far more difficult to maneuver through Congress.

President Donald Trump is scheduled to sign the bill during a White House ceremony Friday.

The bipartisan measure passed as lawmakers gathered in Washington as a group for the first time since March 27, adopting stricter social distancing rules while seeking to prove they can do their work despite the COVID-19 crisis.

Lawmakers’ face masks and bandannas added an somber tone to their effort to aid a nation staggered by the health crisis and devastating economic costs of the pandemic.

“Millions of people out of work,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. “This is really a very, very, very sad day. We come to the floor with nearly 50,000 deaths, a huge number of people impacted, and the uncertainty of it all. We hope to soon get to a recovery phase. But right now we’re still in mitigation.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — A nearly $500 billion measure helping businesses and hospitals ride out the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak">coronavirus’ devastation</a>&nbsp;edged toward House passage Thursday, as lawmakers’ face masks and bandannas added an eerie tone to Congress’ effort to aid a staggered nation.

“Millions of people out of work,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. “This is really a very, very, very sad day. We come to the floor with nearly 50,000 deaths, a huge number of people impacted, and the uncertainty of it all.”

The day’s debate was almost overshadowed by social distancing steps that produced a stark image of how the pandemic is changing what used to be normal behavior in Washington.

As Pelosi spoke, she lowered a white scarf that had covered much of her face. House Chaplain Patrick Conroy delivered the opening prayer wearing a yellow protective mask, and most lawmakers and aides on the chamber’s sparsely populated floor wore masks as well.

With the entire Capitol closed to the public, visitors’ galleries were set aside for lawmakers in an effort to separate them.

The package was headed toward certain, overwhelming approval later Thursday, an action that would send the measure to President Donald Trump for his signature. The Senate approved the legislation Tuesday.

But partisan divides remained over the government’s response to the country’s unprecedented health and economic crises — some of them literally visible.

Of the roughly two dozen lawmakers on the chamber’s floor as debate began, just two were not wearing masks — Republican Reps. Jim Jordan of Ohio and James Comer of Kentucky.

In addition, Republicans chided Democrats for holding up the initial version of the bill by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., which included just $250 billion, all of it for small businesses.

After two weeks, GOP leaders agreed to expand the bill as Democrats insisted on more money for small businesses in minority and rural communities, hospitals and for virus testing. During that period, the government exhausted an initial $250 billion lawmakers had provided in earlier emergency legislation.

Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, blamed Pelosi for delaying the money as “small businesses and their workers desperately fought to hold on.” He added, “How many jobs could we have saved if partisan politics had not reared its ugly head.”

Pelosi blamed Republicans and McConnell for the holdup, saying Democrats had changed a GOP-written “corporate-oriented trickle-down bill to a worker-first, bubble-up bill.”

She also singled out McConnell for at first opposing adding any money to his original $250 billion package and saying cash-strapped states should be allowed to declare bankruptcy, a move they currently cannot do and that would threaten a broad range of state services.

“Oh, really?” Pelosi said. “What made you think that was a good idea?”

A government report Thursday showed that since the virus hit the U.S., a previously unthinkable 26 millions Americans have filed for unemployment benefits, about 1 in 6 workers.

Despite the political rhetoric, large majorities of both parties were sure to back the measure by a wide margin.

Anchoring the bill is a request by the Trump administration to replenish&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/edf614822fa34d70520b35e000f3b3ce">a fund to help small- and medium-size businesses</a>&nbsp;with payroll, rent and other expenses.

Supporters are already warning that more funds will be needed almost immediately for the business-backed Paycheck Protection Program. Launched just weeks ago, the program quickly reached its lending limit after approving nearly 1.7 million loans. That left thousands of small businesses in limbo as they sought help.

Battle lines are forming over the next measure amid growing demands to help out state and local governments, the Postal Service and first responders.

Pelosi said she would name it the “Heroes Act” because it will include more money for first-responders and other state and local costs. She and House Ways and Means Chairman Richard Neal, D-Md., said it will also include more money for hospitals, direct payments to individuals and an extension of beefed up unemployment payments until the fall.

McConnell has said the Senate will pause before jumping onto the next bill. He has said he wants to consider the impact on the swelling national debt of the $2.5 trillion Congress will now have provided with four bipartisan bills addressing the pandemic and supporting the economy.

The bill being approved Thursday started two weeks ago as a simple Trump-sought $250 billion replenishment of the oversubscribed payroll subsidy program and grew from there. The payroll program provides forgivable loans so businesses can continue paying workers while forced to stay closed for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/fa1fda126fe191425abc20ab461dfbe7">social distancing</a>&nbsp;and stay-at-home orders.

It also contains $100 billion demanded by Democrats for hospitals and a nationwide testing program, along with a $60 billion set-aside for small banks and an alternative network of community development banks that focus on development in urban neighborhoods and rural areas ignored by many lenders. There’s also $60 billion for small-business loans and grants delivered through the Small Business Administration’s existing disaster aid program.

The House planned to conduct its roll call votes under social distancing rules, with dozens of lawmakers voting at a time grouped in alphabetical order.

Pelosi has also orchestrated a vote to establish a select panel to provide oversight of the government’s efforts to battle the coronavirus, a move decried by Republicans as playing politics with the crisis.

Trump has said he supports including fiscal relief for state and local government in another virus aid package along with infrastructure projects.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587665990231.png" alt="Chaplin Pat Conroy opened Thursday's business in the&nbsp; House of Representatives with prayer -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Chaplin Pat Conroy opened Thursday's business in the&nbsp; House of Representatives with prayer -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress delivered a nearly $500 billion infusion of coronavirus spending Thursday, rushing new relief to employers and hospitals buckling under the strain of a pandemic that has claimed almost 50,000 American lives and one in six U.S. jobs.The measure passed almost unanimously, but the lopsided tally belies a potentially bumpier path ahead as battle lines are being formed for much more ambitious future legislation that may prove far more difficult to maneuver through Congress.President Donald Trump is scheduled to sign the bill during a White House ceremony Friday.The bipartisan measure passed as lawmakers gathered in Washington as a group for the first time since March 27, adopting stricter social distancing rules while seeking to prove they can do their work despite the COVID-19 crisis.Lawmakers’ face masks and bandannas added an somber tone to their effort to aid a nation staggered by the health crisis and devastating economic costs of the pandemic.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587723272444.png" alt="House Speaker Nancy Pelosi addressed the media following Thursday's vote -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>House Speaker Nancy Pelosi addressed the media following Thursday's vote -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>“Millions of people out of work,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. “This is really a very, very, very sad day. We come to the floor with nearly 50,000 deaths, a huge number of people impacted, and the uncertainty of it all. We hope to soon get to a recovery phase. But right now we’re still in mitigation.”WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress delivered a nearly $500 billion infusion of coronavirus spending Thursday, rushing new relief to employers and hospitals buckling under the strain of a pandemic that has claimed almost 50,000 American lives and one in six U.S. jobs.The measure passed almost unanimously, but the lopsided tally belies a potentially bumpier path ahead as battle lines are being formed for much more ambitious future legislation that may prove far more difficult to maneuver through Congress.President Donald Trump is scheduled to sign the bill during a White House ceremony Friday.The bipartisan measure passed as lawmakers gathered in Washington as a group for the first time since March 27, adopting stricter social distancing rules while seeking to prove they can do their work despite the COVID-19 crisis.Lawmakers’ face masks and bandannas added an somber tone to their effort to aid a nation staggered by the health crisis and devastating economic costs of the pandemic.“Millions of people out of work,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. “This is really a very, very, very sad day. We come to the floor with nearly 50,000 deaths, a huge number of people impacted, and the uncertainty of it all. We hope to soon get to a recovery phase. But right now we’re still in mitigation.”-------WASHINGTON (AP) — A nearly $500 billion measure helping businesses and hospitals ride out the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak">coronavirus’ devastation</a>&nbsp;edged toward House passage Thursday, as lawmakers’ face masks and bandannas added an eerie tone to Congress’ effort to aid a staggered nation.“Millions of people out of work,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. “This is really a very, very, very sad day. We come to the floor with nearly 50,000 deaths, a huge number of people impacted, and the uncertainty of it all.”The day’s debate was almost overshadowed by social distancing steps that produced a stark image of how the pandemic is changing what used to be normal behavior in Washington.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587665950744.png" alt="House Speaker Nancy Pelosi during Thursday's debate on the relief package -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>House Speaker Nancy Pelosi during Thursday's debate on the relief package -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>As Pelosi spoke, she lowered a white scarf that had covered much of her face. House Chaplain Patrick Conroy delivered the opening prayer wearing a yellow protective mask, and most lawmakers and aides on the chamber’s sparsely populated floor wore masks as well.With the entire Capitol closed to the public, visitors’ galleries were set aside for lawmakers in an effort to separate them.The package was headed toward certain, overwhelming approval later Thursday, an action that would send the measure to President Donald Trump for his signature. The Senate approved the legislation Tuesday.But partisan divides remained over the government’s response to the country’s unprecedented health and economic crises — some of them literally visible.Of the roughly two dozen lawmakers on the chamber’s floor as debate began, just two were not wearing masks — Republican Reps. Jim Jordan of Ohio and James Comer of Kentucky.In addition, Republicans chided Democrats for holding up the initial version of the bill by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., which included just $250 billion, all of it for small businesses.After two weeks, GOP leaders agreed to expand the bill as Democrats insisted on more money for small businesses in minority and rural communities, hospitals and for virus testing. During that period, the government exhausted an initial $250 billion lawmakers had provided in earlier emergency legislation.Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, blamed Pelosi for delaying the money as “small businesses and their workers desperately fought to hold on.” He added, “How many jobs could we have saved if partisan politics had not reared its ugly head.”Pelosi blamed Republicans and McConnell for the holdup, saying Democrats had changed a GOP-written “corporate-oriented trickle-down bill to a worker-first, bubble-up bill.”She also singled out McConnell for at first opposing adding any money to his original $250 billion package and saying cash-strapped states should be allowed to declare bankruptcy, a move they currently cannot do and that would threaten a broad range of state services.“Oh, really?” Pelosi said. “What made you think that was a good idea?”A government report Thursday showed that since the virus hit the U.S., a previously unthinkable 26 millions Americans have filed for unemployment benefits, about 1 in 6 workers.Despite the political rhetoric, large majorities of both parties were sure to back the measure by a wide margin.Anchoring the bill is a request by the Trump administration to replenish&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/edf614822fa34d70520b35e000f3b3ce">a fund to help small- and medium-size businesses</a>&nbsp;with payroll, rent and other expenses.Supporters are already warning that more funds will be needed almost immediately for the business-backed Paycheck Protection Program. Launched just weeks ago, the program quickly reached its lending limit after approving nearly 1.7 million loans. That left thousands of small businesses in limbo as they sought help.Battle lines are forming over the next measure amid growing demands to help out state and local governments, the Postal Service and first responders.Pelosi said she would name it the “Heroes Act” because it will include more money for first-responders and other state and local costs. She and House Ways and Means Chairman Richard Neal, D-Md., said it will also include more money for hospitals, direct payments to individuals and an extension of beefed up unemployment payments until the fall.McConnell has said the Senate will pause before jumping onto the next bill. He has said he wants to consider the impact on the swelling national debt of the $2.5 trillion Congress will now have provided with four bipartisan bills addressing the pandemic and supporting the economy.The bill being approved Thursday started two weeks ago as a simple Trump-sought $250 billion replenishment of the oversubscribed payroll subsidy program and grew from there. The payroll program provides forgivable loans so businesses can continue paying workers while forced to stay closed for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/fa1fda126fe191425abc20ab461dfbe7">social distancing</a>&nbsp;and stay-at-home orders.It also contains $100 billion demanded by Democrats for hospitals and a nationwide testing program, along with a $60 billion set-aside for small banks and an alternative network of community development banks that focus on development in urban neighborhoods and rural areas ignored by many lenders. There’s also $60 billion for small-business loans and grants delivered through the Small Business Administration’s existing disaster aid program.The House planned to conduct its roll call votes under social distancing rules, with dozens of lawmakers voting at a time grouped in alphabetical order.Pelosi has also orchestrated a vote to establish a select panel to provide oversight of the government’s efforts to battle the coronavirus, a move decried by Republicans as playing politics with the crisis.Trump has said he supports including fiscal relief for state and local government in another virus aid package along with infrastructure projects.___

Congress, many in masks, approves $500B more in virus aid

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Gov. Laura Kelly said Thursday that her goal is to start reopening the Kansas economy on May 3 but she may not be able to do it because the state is “nowhere near” having the supplies needed for adequate coronavirus testing.

Kelly’s comments came after hundreds of people protested around the Statehouse against&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/dbec40f995b83b9a88cfe56cd1149708">a stay-at-home order</a>&nbsp;from the Democratic governor set to expire May 3. Participants in similar protests across the country contended that such orders damage the economy and violate people’s civil rights.

Health and government officials argue such orders orders are the best way to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. Kelly said a key issue in lifting restrictions is being able to test enough to identify and contain outbreaks quickly and take steps to contain them locally.

Kansas has struggled to get enough supplies from the federal government and private companies in competition with other states. It has had among the lowest testing rates of any state, 7.32 per 1,000 residents as of Thursday.

“We are nowhere near where we need to be with testing supplies,” Kelly said during a Statehouse news conference. “It’s the biggest frustration that I have.”

Kansas did receive&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/8c5145956432b1583d53fb98225d38a5">7,000 testing kits</a>&nbsp;from the federal government this past weekend because of outbreaks in meat-packing plants. It also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/67c6c34c71c00a739657687d8286f78d">liberalized its testing guidelines</a>&nbsp;this week.

But Kelly said the state has been told after multiple unfilled orders for supplies to the Federal Emergency Management Agency that it should direct requests to the federal Centers for Disease Control instead.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health and Environment is planning to train existing state workers and bring on volunteers to have 400 people to help trace infected people’s contacts. But the department said Thursday it is still recruiting and training them.

The protesters Thursday suggested Kelly has gone too far in imposing restrictions and shutting down the economy. They held or posted signs with slogans such as, “Fear is the real virus,” and “Choose Freedom. Reopen America.”

Many participants carried signs or waved flags supporting the reelection of President Donald Trump. Others were anti-vaccine activists, tea party movement members or gun-rights supporters. One vehicle displayed a Confederate flag; a protest sign promoted a far-right conspiracy theory.

A recent Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/9ed271ca13012d3b77a2b631c1979ce1">survey&nbsp;</a>showed that Americans remain overwhelmingly in favor of stay-at-home orders and other efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus. At the Statehouse, a few local nurses stood silently in scrubs to thank health care workers and counter-protest.

The state health department reported 2,482 confirmed cases, up 12.3% from 2,211 reported Wednesday. The state reported 112 people have died, two more than reported Wednesday. Infections are likely more numerous because of the state’s low testing rate and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.

Long-term care homes have been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/e34b42d996968cf9fa0ef85697418b01">particularly hard hit,</a>&nbsp;with at least 17 clusters of cases in such homes in Kansas and 58 COVID-19-related deaths, more than half the state’s total.

Twenty-seven deaths were among residents of the Riverbend Post Acute Rehabilitation home in Kansas City, Kansas. The family of an 87-year-old man who died filed a lawsuit Thursday accusing the home of negligence. The home declined comment.

TOPEKA&nbsp; — A rally to protest the stay-at-home order began at noon Thursday in Topeka.

According to Operation Gridlock Topeka, "It is time to open Kansas back up for business. It is time to converge on Topeka and show Governor Kelly that WE THE PEOPLE of Kansas can be safe, responsible, and LOUD!"

Event organizers encouraged those in attendance to stay in cars, honk horns, and wave flags. "Make sure she hears you and tell her to OPEN KANSAS UP!"

Between 75 and 100 people attended a similar rally in Kansas City on Monday to demand that the orders be lifted.

The event near the city's Country Club Plaza followed protests that began across the country last week, with some drawing much larger crowds.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587667322441.png" alt="Protesters at the Kansas Statehouse Thursday -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Protesters at the Kansas Statehouse Thursday -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Gov. Laura Kelly said Thursday that her goal is to start reopening the Kansas economy on May 3 but she may not be able to do it because the state is “nowhere near” having the supplies needed for adequate coronavirus testing.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FGovLauraKelly%2Fvideos%2F3247224465502124%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Kelly’s comments came after hundreds of people protested around the Statehouse against&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/dbec40f995b83b9a88cfe56cd1149708">a stay-at-home order</a>&nbsp;from the Democratic governor set to expire May 3. Participants in similar protests across the country contended that such orders damage the economy and violate people’s civil rights.Health and government officials argue such orders orders are the best way to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. Kelly said a key issue in lifting restrictions is being able to test enough to identify and contain outbreaks quickly and take steps to contain them locally.Kansas has struggled to get enough supplies from the federal government and private companies in competition with other states. It has had among the lowest testing rates of any state, 7.32 per 1,000 residents as of Thursday.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587661397475.png" alt="Protesters near the Kansas Statehouse Thursday afternoon -images courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Protesters near the Kansas Statehouse Thursday afternoon -images courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>“We are nowhere near where we need to be with testing supplies,” Kelly said during a Statehouse news conference. “It’s the biggest frustration that I have.”Kansas did receive&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/8c5145956432b1583d53fb98225d38a5">7,000 testing kits</a>&nbsp;from the federal government this past weekend because of outbreaks in meat-packing plants. It also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/67c6c34c71c00a739657687d8286f78d">liberalized its testing guidelines</a>&nbsp;this week.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587681170776.png" alt="Governor Laura Kelly discussed lack of virus testing during her Thursday news conference" />
 <figcaption>Governor Laura Kelly discussed lack of virus testing during her Thursday news conference</figcaption>
 </figure>But Kelly said the state has been told after multiple unfilled orders for supplies to the Federal Emergency Management Agency that it should direct requests to the federal Centers for Disease Control instead.“That was news to us,” she said.Meanwhile, the Department of Health and Environment is planning to train existing state workers and bring on volunteers to have 400 people to help trace infected people’s contacts. But the department said Thursday it is still recruiting and training them.The protesters Thursday suggested Kelly has gone too far in imposing restrictions and shutting down the economy. They held or posted signs with slogans such as, “Fear is the real virus,” and “Choose Freedom. Reopen America.”Many participants carried signs or waved flags supporting the reelection of President Donald Trump. Others were anti-vaccine activists, tea party movement members or gun-rights supporters. One vehicle displayed a Confederate flag; a protest sign promoted a far-right conspiracy theory.A recent Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/9ed271ca13012d3b77a2b631c1979ce1">survey&nbsp;</a>showed that Americans remain overwhelmingly in favor of stay-at-home orders and other efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus. At the Statehouse, a few local nurses stood silently in scrubs to thank health care workers and counter-protest.The state health department reported 2,482 confirmed cases, up 12.3% from 2,211 reported Wednesday. The state reported 112 people have died, two more than reported Wednesday. Infections are likely more numerous because of the state’s low testing rate and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms 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 and death.Long-term care homes have been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/e34b42d996968cf9fa0ef85697418b01">particularly hard hit,</a>&nbsp;with at least 17 clusters of cases in such homes in Kansas and 58 COVID-19-related deaths, more than half the state’s total.Twenty-seven deaths were among residents of the Riverbend Post Acute Rehabilitation home in Kansas City, Kansas. The family of an 87-year-old man who died filed a lawsuit Thursday accusing the home of negligence. The home declined comment.--------TOPEKA&nbsp; — A rally to protest the stay-at-home order began at noon Thursday in Topeka.According to Operation Gridlock Topeka, "It is time to open Kansas back up for business. It is time to converge on Topeka and show Governor Kelly that WE THE PEOPLE of Kansas can be safe, responsible, and LOUD!"<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587661434723.png" alt="Protesters blocking traffic Thursday afternoon in Topeka-photo KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Protesters blocking traffic Thursday afternoon in Topeka-photo KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>Event organizers encouraged those in attendance to stay in cars, honk horns, and wave flags. "Make sure she hears you and tell her to OPEN KANSAS UP!"Between 75 and 100 people attended a similar rally in Kansas City on Monday to demand that the orders be lifted.The event near the city's Country Club Plaza followed protests that began across the country last week, with some drawing much larger crowds.

Amid protests, Kelly says May 3 reopening of Kansas in doubt

MCPHERSON, Kan. — McPherson County has reported its 20th positive case of COVID-19.&nbsp;

The latest case involves a 70-year-old female who is currently hospitalized. The Health Department reports that 12 of the confirmed cases have recovered and three remain in the hospital.&nbsp;

As a reminder, one of the cases was a Dillons employee at 132 N. Main. That individual worked April 16 through April 19 between 5 a.m. and 2 p.m. If you were at the store during that time, you may have been exposed to COVID-19.&nbsp;

If you develop symptoms consistent with COVID-19&nbsp; between two and 14 days later from the time you were at the store, you’re asked to contact your healthcare provider, the local hospital or the McPherson County Health Department.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586828341581.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>MCPHERSON, Kan. — McPherson County has reported its 20th positive case of COVID-19.&nbsp;The latest case involves a 70-year-old female who is currently hospitalized. The Health Department reports that 12 of the confirmed cases have recovered and three remain in the hospital.&nbsp;As a reminder, one of the cases was a Dillons employee at 132 N. Main. That individual worked April 16 through April 19 between 5 a.m. and 2 p.m. If you were at the store during that time, you may have been exposed to COVID-19.&nbsp;If you develop symptoms consistent with COVID-19&nbsp; between two and 14 days later from the time you were at the store, you’re asked to contact your healthcare provider, the local hospital or the McPherson County Health Department.&nbsp;

McPherson Co. COVID-19 cases up to 20

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 271 to a total of 2482, the state health department reported Thursday afternoon. 

This is the largest 24-hour increase in the number of positive cases in Kansas.&nbsp;

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

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 271 to a total of 2482, the state health department reported Thursday afternoon. This is the largest 24-hour increase in the number of positive cases in Kansas.&nbsp;Coronavirus deaths increased to 112<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional numbers from the KDHE<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587662827102.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas

WASHINGTON(AP)—The Trump administration is barring most international students and all students who entered the U.S. illegally from receiving emergency college grants approved by Congress as part of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/2099a53bb8adf2def7ee7329ea322f9d">a $2.2 trillion coronavirus rescue package</a>.

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos issued the restriction in new guidelines released Tuesday telling colleges how to distribute more than $6 billion in grants meant to help students cover unexpected costs triggered by the pandemic. Earlier guidance from the Education Department suggested universities would have wide flexibility in distributing the grants, but the new guidelines said that only students who qualify for other federal student aid can receive the aid.

More than 400,000 students are estimated to have entered the U.S. illegally. More than 1 million international students are enrolled at U.S. colleges.

University leaders and immigration groups blasted the change, saying DeVos is imposing new limits that were not included in Congress’ legislation. The rescue package did not specify which students are eligible for grants, and many colleges had planned to distribute emergency grants to needy students regardless of their citizenship status.

Some prestigious universities cited the new policy in decisions to reject the funding. Princeton University announced Wednesday that it would refuse its $2.4 million share of coronavirus relief over the policy. Harvard University also cited the change in its decision to reject $8.7 million in aid.

The Education Department said its guidance is aligned with other federal laws. The agency cited the Higher Education Act, a sweeping law that says only U.S. citizens and a narrow set of “eligible noncitizens” are eligible for federal student aid. Angela Morabito, a department spokeswoman, said the rescue package legislation “makes clear that this taxpayer funded relief fund should be targeted to U.S. citizens, which is consistently echoed throughout the law.”

But some higher education advocates challenged that claim. The American Council on Education, an association of college presidents, said the rescue package placed no limits on student eligibility.

“The statute says almost nothing about who is eligible to receive a grant. The Department of Education owns this decision. Period,” said Terry Hartle, the group’s senior vice president. He added that the group is disappointed by DeVos’ policy. “We strongly believed many of these students needed help.”

The guidelines have created confusion about exactly which students can receive the grants, Hartle said. It’s clear that the department is excluding immigrants who entered the U.S. illegally and international students, he said, but it’s unclear how schools should determine eligibility. Most colleges don’t ask students if they’re U.S. citizens, he said, and officials have no easy way to check.

“A college could give an emergency grant to a Dreamer without realizing the person is a Dreamer,” he said, referring to immigrants who were brought to the U.S. illegally but allowed to stay under the under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA.

At the University of California, Riverside, officials had been planning to award grants to some of the campus’ estimated 600 DACA recipients. Now, officials will turn to fundraising or other revenue sources to help students excluded by the Education Department.

Chancellor Kim Wilcox said he’s grateful for the federal relief but was disheartened by DeVos’ policy.

“I was disappointed for students here at UCR, for students across California, and I was disappointed for the nation,” Wilcox said. “This is a huge economic hit and there are pressing needs everywhere.”

Student advocates see DeVos’ update as a reversal from her previous guidance. When DeVos made the funding available in early April, she said colleges would be given flexibility in deciding how to award grants. She told colleges to focus on helping the neediest students. And in paperwork that colleges sign to receive the funding, the agency says the relief isn’t considered federal financial aid.

That earlier guidance led some schools to believe the grants were exempt from citizenship requirements.

Sara Goldrick-Rab, a professor of higher education policy and sociology at Temple University, said the new requirements are cruel to students who were counting on the grants to cover food, housing and other costs, and to colleges that now have to scramble to revise plans for distributing the funding. Losing access to the grants will likely force some students to drop out, she said, especially those whose families are dealing with unemployment amid the pandemic.

“They’re not going to have the money that they need to stay connected to their college. And people who drop out of college often do not come back,” said Goldrick-Rab, who founded the nonprofit Hope Center for College, Community and Justice.

Critics say the policy is particularly unjust because the same students now barred from receiving grants were counted in the formula used to allocate money for schools. The rescue package provided $14 billion for the nation’s colleges, offering them varying sums based on their student enrollment and the percentage of students they teach from poorer backgrounds.

The United We Dream Network, which advocates for DACA recipients, said it was “callous” of DeVos to block so many students from access to funding. Sanaa Abrar, the group’s advocacy director, urged Congress and colleges to find other ways to help students excluded by DeVos’ directive.

“Every single relief package being discussed in Congress must include both the health care and financial assistance immigrant communities need,” Abrar said, “especially as the Trump administration continues to attack and scapegoat our communities amidst a pandemic.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585353417200.png" alt="Education Secretary Betsy DeVos answers questions during a Coronavirus Task Force briefing-image courtesy White House&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Education Secretary Betsy DeVos answers questions during a Coronavirus Task Force briefing-image courtesy White House&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON(AP)—The Trump administration is barring most international students and all students who entered the U.S. illegally from receiving emergency college grants approved by Congress as part of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/2099a53bb8adf2def7ee7329ea322f9d">a $2.2 trillion coronavirus rescue package</a>.Education Secretary Betsy DeVos issued the restriction in new guidelines released Tuesday telling colleges how to distribute more than $6 billion in grants meant to help students cover unexpected costs triggered by the pandemic. Earlier guidance from the Education Department suggested universities would have wide flexibility in distributing the grants, but the new guidelines said that only students who qualify for other federal student aid can receive the aid.More than 400,000 students are estimated to have entered the U.S. illegally. More than 1 million international students are enrolled at U.S. colleges.University leaders and immigration groups blasted the change, saying DeVos is imposing new limits that were not included in Congress’ legislation. The rescue package did not specify which students are eligible for grants, and many colleges had planned to distribute emergency grants to needy students regardless of their citizenship status.Some prestigious universities cited the new policy in decisions to reject the funding. Princeton University announced Wednesday that it would refuse its $2.4 million share of coronavirus relief over the policy. Harvard University also cited the change in its decision to reject $8.7 million in aid.The Education Department said its guidance is aligned with other federal laws. The agency cited the Higher Education Act, a sweeping law that says only U.S. citizens and a narrow set of “eligible noncitizens” are eligible for federal student aid. Angela Morabito, a department spokeswoman, said the rescue package legislation “makes clear that this taxpayer funded relief fund should be targeted to U.S. citizens, which is consistently echoed throughout the law.”But some higher education advocates challenged that claim. The American Council on Education, an association of college presidents, said the rescue package placed no limits on student eligibility.“The statute says almost nothing about who is eligible to receive a grant. The Department of Education owns this decision. Period,” said Terry Hartle, the group’s senior vice president. He added that the group is disappointed by DeVos’ policy. “We strongly believed many of these students needed help.”The guidelines have created confusion about exactly which students can receive the grants, Hartle said. It’s clear that the department is excluding immigrants who entered the U.S. illegally and international students, he said, but it’s unclear how schools should determine eligibility. Most colleges don’t ask students if they’re U.S. citizens, he said, and officials have no easy way to check.“A college could give an emergency grant to a Dreamer without realizing the person is a Dreamer,” he said, referring to immigrants who were brought to the U.S. illegally but allowed to stay under the under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA.At the University of California, Riverside, officials had been planning to award grants to some of the campus’ estimated 600 DACA recipients. Now, officials will turn to fundraising or other revenue sources to help students excluded by the Education Department.Chancellor Kim Wilcox said he’s grateful for the federal relief but was disheartened by DeVos’ policy.“I was disappointed for students here at UCR, for students across California, and I was disappointed for the nation,” Wilcox said. “This is a huge economic hit and there are pressing needs everywhere.”Student advocates see DeVos’ update as a reversal from her previous guidance. When DeVos made the funding available in early April, she said colleges would be given flexibility in deciding how to award grants. She told colleges to focus on helping the neediest students. And in paperwork that colleges sign to receive the funding, the agency says the relief isn’t considered federal financial aid.That earlier guidance led some schools to believe the grants were exempt from citizenship requirements.Sara Goldrick-Rab, a professor of higher education policy and sociology at Temple University, said the new requirements are cruel to students who were counting on the grants to cover food, housing and other costs, and to colleges that now have to scramble to revise plans for distributing the funding. Losing access to the grants will likely force some students to drop out, she said, especially those whose families are dealing with unemployment amid the pandemic.“They’re not going to have the money that they need to stay connected to their college. And people who drop out of college often do not come back,” said Goldrick-Rab, who founded the nonprofit Hope Center for College, Community and Justice.Critics say the policy is particularly unjust because the same students now barred from receiving grants were counted in the formula used to allocate money for schools. The rescue package provided $14 billion for the nation’s colleges, offering them varying sums based on their student enrollment and the percentage of students they teach from poorer backgrounds.The United We Dream Network, which advocates for DACA recipients, said it was “callous” of DeVos to block so many students from access to funding. Sanaa Abrar, the group’s advocacy director, urged Congress and colleges to find other ways to help students excluded by DeVos’ directive.“Every single relief package being discussed in Congress must include both the health care and financial assistance immigrant communities need,” Abrar said, “especially as the Trump administration continues to attack and scapegoat our communities amidst a pandemic.”

DACA kids, foreign students excluded from virus relief grants

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas’ top health official said Wednesday that the state is considering testing all prison inmates and residents of long-term care homes for the coronavirus, as such homes have accounted for more than half of the state’s COVID-19-related deaths and a prison has had a major outbreak.

Dr. Lee Norman, head of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, said the state also is looking at testing all of those institutions’ employees. He said such testing represents population studies the state must do to determine the true extent of the virus.

“We haven’t had the testing materials to do that,” Norman said during an Associated Press interview. “We’re just coming up to that now.”

Gov. Laura Kelly, who issued a statewide&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/425a488fcf8f16dfb0d7e06a9293b1ff">stay-at-home order</a>&nbsp;on March 30, has said that expanded testing is key to gradually reopening the state’s economy. Kansas has had among&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/f6828656a14b81e1b0d695662b58ec3e">the lowest testing rates&nbsp;</a>of any state, 6.94 per 1,000 residents as of Wednesday, which was well below the national rate.

State officials said it’s been difficult to get supplies. Norman said Wednesday that there’s been under-reporting of tests by private labs.

Norman said the state has seen 17 clusters of coronavirus cases in long-term care homes, accounting for 58 of the state’s 110 COVID-19-related deaths reported as of Wednesday. Twenty-seven deaths, alone, were from an outbreak at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/7c367ab69c32d393755bdf1509e8e429">Riverbend Post Acute Rehabilitation&nbsp;</a>in Kansas City, Kansas.

Kansas officials said state and federal inspectors are looking into infection control measures that are being implemented at the Riverbend facility.

Norman said during a Statehouse news conference: “They should be able to go back to a full and normal existence once the cleansing and once the ‘X’ number of days out are sufficient so that there’s not transmission of new cases.”

Cory Schulte, Riverbend’s executive director, didn’t immediately reply to a phone message Wednesday seeking comment.

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

The state reported Wednesday that it has 2,211 confirmed coronavirus cases, up 9.2% or 186 from Tuesday. However, with Kansas testing at a low rate — and not people who don’t show symptoms — the number very likely under-reports cases. The state reported three new COVID-19-related deaths Wednesday.

The state prison in Lansing, outside Kansas City, has had 110 confirmed coronavirus cases, including 50 among inmates. The state faces an American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas lawsuit seeking the release of vulnerable inmates and Kelly said she’s “very close” to announcing a plan, though, it won’t affect “a whole huge number.”

Like some other states, Kansas has seen outbreaks in meatpacking plants. Of the 19 coronavirus-case clusters among businesses, six involve meatpacking plants, accounting for 168 confirmed cases but no deaths, Norman said.

Kelly said there have been no discussions with the companies yet about closing meatpacking plants, just how to protect their workers. In Iowa, Tyson Foods&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/d21fe9a4864971427d40fd2caa61ad34">suspended operations</a>&nbsp;Wednesday at its largest pork processing plant.

Kansas accounts for roughly a quarter of the nation’s beef, and Kelly said, “It’s a very, very important supply chain that we need to keep as productive as we can.”

Meanwhile, the Legislature is not expecting to reconvene Monday from an unusually long, coronavirus-inspired spring break as previously planned. Legislative leaders postponed a decision on when to return to as late as May 6.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587582681620.png" alt="KDHE Secretary Dr. Lee Norman and Governor Laura Kelly answer questions during a Wednesday news briefing." />
 <figcaption>KDHE Secretary Dr. Lee Norman and Governor Laura Kelly answer questions during a Wednesday news briefing.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas’ top health official said Wednesday that the state is considering testing all prison inmates and residents of long-term care homes for the coronavirus, as such homes have accounted for more than half of the state’s COVID-19-related deaths and a prison has had a major outbreak.Dr. Lee Norman, head of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, said the state also is looking at testing all of those institutions’ employees. He said such testing represents population studies the state must do to determine the true extent of the virus.“We haven’t had the testing materials to do that,” Norman said during an Associated Press interview. “We’re just coming up to that now.”Gov. Laura Kelly, who issued a statewide&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/425a488fcf8f16dfb0d7e06a9293b1ff">stay-at-home order</a>&nbsp;on March 30, has said that expanded testing is key to gradually reopening the state’s economy. Kansas has had among&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/f6828656a14b81e1b0d695662b58ec3e">the lowest testing rates&nbsp;</a>of any state, 6.94 per 1,000 residents as of Wednesday, which was well below the national rate.State officials said it’s been difficult to get supplies. Norman said Wednesday that there’s been under-reporting of tests by private labs.Norman said the state has seen 17 clusters of coronavirus cases in long-term care homes, accounting for 58 of the state’s 110 COVID-19-related deaths reported as of Wednesday. Twenty-seven deaths, alone, were from an outbreak at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/7c367ab69c32d393755bdf1509e8e429">Riverbend Post Acute Rehabilitation&nbsp;</a>in Kansas City, Kansas.Kansas officials said state and federal inspectors are looking into infection control measures that are being implemented at the Riverbend facility.Norman said during a Statehouse news conference: “They should be able to go back to a full and normal existence once the cleansing and once the ‘X’ number of days out are sufficient so that there’s not transmission of new cases.”Cory Schulte, Riverbend’s executive director, didn’t immediately reply to a phone message Wednesday seeking comment.For some people, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. For most, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.The state reported Wednesday that it has 2,211 confirmed coronavirus cases, up 9.2% or 186 from Tuesday. However, with Kansas testing at a low rate — and not people who don’t show symptoms — the number very likely under-reports cases. The state reported three new COVID-19-related deaths Wednesday.The state prison in Lansing, outside Kansas City, has had 110 confirmed coronavirus cases, including 50 among inmates. The state faces an American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas lawsuit seeking the release of vulnerable inmates and Kelly said she’s “very close” to announcing a plan, though, it won’t affect “a whole huge number.”Like some other states, Kansas has seen outbreaks in meatpacking plants. Of the 19 coronavirus-case clusters among businesses, six involve meatpacking plants, accounting for 168 confirmed cases but no deaths, Norman said.Kelly said there have been no discussions with the companies yet about closing meatpacking plants, just how to protect their workers. In Iowa, Tyson Foods&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/d21fe9a4864971427d40fd2caa61ad34">suspended operations</a>&nbsp;Wednesday at its largest pork processing plant.Kansas accounts for roughly a quarter of the nation’s beef, and Kelly said, “It’s a very, very important supply chain that we need to keep as productive as we can.”Meanwhile, the Legislature is not expecting to reconvene Monday from an unusually long, coronavirus-inspired spring break as previously planned. Legislative leaders postponed a decision on when to return to as late as May 6.___

Kansas mulls coronavirus tests for all in prison, care homes

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Wednesday played down the possibility that the coronavirus could be worse this winter despite medical experts’ warnings that COVID-19 could combine with the flu to make a more complicated return to the United States.

Trump, who has been pushing for states to begin reopening their economies, batted down notions that COVID-19 could return in large waves, as has happened in previous pandemics. Health experts and members of the White House coronavirus task force have warned of a possible comeback for the virus next fall.

“It’s not going to be what we’ve gone through, in any way, shape or form,” Trump said flatly.

He continued: “If it comes back, though, it won’t be coming back in the form that it was. It will be coming back in smaller doses that we can contain. ... You could have some embers of corona ... (but) we will not go through what we went through for the last two months.”

Trump then turned to Dr. Deborah Birx, coordinator of the coronavirus task force, and asked, “Doctor, wouldn’t you say there’s a good chance that COVID will not come back?”

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, said later in the same briefing: “We will have coronavirus in the fall. I am convinced of that.”

He stressed that in the fall, the nation would be better prepared to manage it.

“Whether or not it’s going to be big or small is going to depend on our response,” Fauci said.

Trump’s insistence that the virus won’t pose a grave danger later this year could run the risk of creating a false sense of security when health experts are still urging Americans to take precautions. Moreover, it could stand as a precarious political prediction when he goes before voters in November.

Trump opened his daily briefing by calling up the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Robert Redfield, to address his assertion a day earlier that “there’s a possibility that the assault of the virus on our nation next winter will actually be even more difficult than the one we just went through.”

Redfield said he wanted to clarify those remarks to The Washington Post, although he confirmed the statement was accurately reported.

“I didn’t say that this was going to be worse,” Redfield said. “I said it was going to be more difficult and potentially complicated.”

He added, “We are building that public healthcare capacity now to make sure that we stay in the containment mode for the upcoming fall and winter season so we will not need to resort to the kind of mitigation that we had to in the spring.”

Trump had been unhappy about Redfield’s remarks, which conflicted with the administration’s optimistic messaging that the country will soon move beyond the virus. The president tweeted earlier in the day that Redfield’s comments had been misconstrued.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587638181985.png" alt="President Trump and Dr. Deborah Birx, coordinator of the Coronavirus Task Force, during Wednesday's media briefing- image courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Trump and Dr. Deborah Birx, coordinator of the Coronavirus Task Force, during Wednesday's media briefing- image courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Wednesday played down the possibility that the coronavirus could be worse this winter despite medical experts’ warnings that COVID-19 could combine with the flu to make a more complicated return to the United States.Trump, who has been pushing for states to begin reopening their economies, batted down notions that COVID-19 could return in large waves, as has happened in previous pandemics. Health experts and members of the White House coronavirus task force have warned of a possible comeback for the virus next fall.“It’s not going to be what we’ve gone through, in any way, shape or form,” Trump said flatly.He continued: “If it comes back, though, it won’t be coming back in the form that it was. It will be coming back in smaller doses that we can contain. ... You could have some embers of corona ... (but) we will not go through what we went through for the last two months.”Trump then turned to Dr. Deborah Birx, coordinator of the coronavirus task force, and asked, “Doctor, wouldn’t you say there’s a good chance that COVID will not come back?”“We don’t know,” Birx responded.Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, said later in the same briefing: “We will have coronavirus in the fall. I am convinced of that.”He stressed that in the fall, the nation would be better prepared to manage it.“Whether or not it’s going to be big or small is going to depend on our response,” Fauci said.Trump’s insistence that the virus won’t pose a grave danger later this year could run the risk of creating a false sense of security when health experts are still urging Americans to take precautions. Moreover, it could stand as a precarious political prediction when he goes before voters in November.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587593775654.png" alt="President Trump and Director of the CDC Dr. Robert Redfield answer questions during Wednesday's Coronavirus Task Force briefing-image courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Trump and Director of the CDC Dr. Robert Redfield answer questions during Wednesday's Coronavirus Task Force briefing-image courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>Trump opened his daily briefing by calling up the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Robert Redfield, to address his assertion a day earlier that “there’s a possibility that the assault of the virus on our nation next winter will actually be even more difficult than the one we just went through.”Redfield said he wanted to clarify those remarks to The Washington Post, although he confirmed the statement was accurately reported.“I didn’t say that this was going to be worse,” Redfield said. “I said it was going to be more difficult and potentially complicated.”He added, “We are building that public healthcare capacity now to make sure that we stay in the containment mode for the upcoming fall and winter season so we will not need to resort to the kind of mitigation that we had to in the spring.”Trump had been unhappy about Redfield’s remarks, which conflicted with the administration’s optimistic messaging that the country will soon move beyond the virus. The president tweeted earlier in the day that Redfield’s comments had been misconstrued.Trump has frequently taken an optimistic view regarding the severity of the virus, including declarations last month that COVID-19 would “disappear.” In recent days, he has pushed for the nation to begin restarting its economy.But his own health experts on Wednesday continued to urge caution. Fauci said that states beginning to reopen “should be careful” and that rushing to lift social distancing guidelines would likely accelerate infections.Trump also said Wednesday that the Pentagon is planning a multicity tour by the U.S. military’s top flight demonstration teams to “champion national unity” amid the coronavirus pandemic. He said the Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds, the demonstration squadrons for the Navy and Air Force, will fly over a number of cities. And he promised a July Fourth celebration for the public on the National Mall.___

Coronavirus Update