
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
As of 7:30 a.m., Reno County now has registered fourteen positive cases of COVID-19. The newest positive case is a female in her sixties with an unknown source of exposure. She is 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.

Four previously confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Reno County have since completed recovery and are nonsymptomatic per disease investigation guidelines furnished by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

The Reno County Health Department also has a self-reporting form hosted on its COVID-19 Information Center (<a href="https://www.renogov.org/741/COVID-19">https://www.renogov.org/741/COVID-19</a>). 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.

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/2020/4/1586817990714.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
As of 7:30 a.m., Reno County now has registered fourteen positive cases of COVID-19. The newest positive case is a female in her sixties with an unknown source of exposure. She is 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.Four previously confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Reno County have since completed recovery and are nonsymptomatic per disease investigation guidelines furnished by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.The Reno County Health Department also has a self-reporting form hosted on its COVID-19 Information Center (<a href="https://www.renogov.org/741/COVID-19">https://www.renogov.org/741/COVID-19</a>). 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.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.

Fourteenth positive for COVID-19 announced in Reno County, ten active


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
Caregiving of people with Alzheimer's and other dementia is difficult even in what used to pass for normal circumstances, but the Alzheimer's Association is attempting to use technology to lighten the burden where they can.

"Even though our doors are closed, our social workers are definitely here to help you," said spokesperson Juliette Bradley. "There are virtual opportunities for you. There's virtual education online, where we're using Zoom conference call or Google Hangouts to really bring people together who still need that support network."

There are also virtual support groups, but if you're not sure what's right for you, there are a couple of places to start.

"Go to <a href="https://alz.org/cwkansas">alz.org/cwkansas</a>," Bradley said. "You can get lots of information there. Our help line (800) 272-3900 is always there."

The helpline is a 24-hour service. Don't be afraid to call. These people are experts and they've dealt with many situations before.

"We know that there are more than 55,000 people in the state of Kansas alone that have Alzheimer's disease," Bradley said. "There are usually up to three caregivers for each one of them."

Tips for caregivers to stay healthy and strategies to help Alzheimer's and dementia sufferers through COVID-19 are available, just call or log on to ask.

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586864625799.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>
By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
Caregiving of people with Alzheimer's and other dementia is difficult even in what used to pass for normal circumstances, but the Alzheimer's Association is attempting to use technology to lighten the burden where they can."Even though our doors are closed, our social workers are definitely here to help you," said spokesperson Juliette Bradley. "There are virtual opportunities for you. There's virtual education online, where we're using Zoom conference call or Google Hangouts to really bring people together who still need that support network."There are also virtual support groups, but if you're not sure what's right for you, there are a couple of places to start."Go to <a href="https://alz.org/cwkansas">alz.org/cwkansas</a>," Bradley said. "You can get lots of information there. Our help line (800) 272-3900 is always there."The helpline is a 24-hour service. Don't be afraid to call. These people are experts and they've dealt with many situations before."We know that there are more than 55,000 people in the state of Kansas alone that have Alzheimer's disease," Bradley said. "There are usually up to three caregivers for each one of them."Tips for caregivers to stay healthy and strategies to help Alzheimer's and dementia sufferers through COVID-19 are available, just call or log on to ask.

Alzheimer's Association offers resources virtually

FINNEY COUNTY — A store in southwest Kansas has been linked to numerous cases of coronavirus, according to the Finney County Health Department.

On Monday, the agency reported that people who shopped at Tienda Variedades Candy, 107 North Jennie Barker Road in Garden City between March 16-30 may have been exposed to the virus and multiple who shopped there since have since become ill and tested positive for the virus.

Authorities notified the store and it has been closed since March 30, according to the health department. The store is being cleaned as outlined by CDC and KDHE guidelines.

The health department asked that anyone who shopped at the store between March 16-30 and are experiencing fever, cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste and or smell to contact them, call the local coronavirus hotline 316-272-3600 to be appropriately screened.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586859604884.png" alt="Image courtesy Tienda Variedades Candy in Garden City" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy Tienda Variedades Candy in Garden City</figcaption>
 </figure>FINNEY COUNTY — A store in southwest Kansas has been linked to numerous cases of coronavirus, according to the Finney County Health Department.On Monday, the agency reported that people who shopped at Tienda Variedades Candy, 107 North Jennie Barker Road in Garden City between March 16-30 may have been exposed to the virus and multiple who shopped there since have since become ill and tested positive for the virus.Authorities notified the store and it has been closed since March 30, according to the health department. The store is being cleaned as outlined by CDC and KDHE guidelines.The health department asked that anyone who shopped at the store between March 16-30 and are experiencing fever, cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste and or smell to contact them, call the local coronavirus hotline 316-272-3600 to be appropriately screened.

SW Kansas store linked to multiple coronavirus cases

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce announced Monday that the Rally Reno campaign has surpassed the $75,000 mark. 

But it’s not stopping there. The Chamber also announced that another $25,000 was donated from the Donor Advised Fund at Hutchinson Community Foundation to keep the program going.

Hutchinson Community Foundation, Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber, and United Way of Reno County originally launched Rally Reno County on March 26. It is an online tool that enables customers to put dollars in the hands of their favorite retail, service and hospitality businesses while providing assistance to those affected by layoffs or reductions in pay. The program operates off the basic premise of “buy local, give local.” When a customer buys a gift card through <a href="http://RallyReno.org">RallyReno.org</a>, the value of that gift card will be matched, dollar-for-dollar, with basic needs assistance to individuals and families who have been directly impacted by layoffs or wage loss because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

About 90 businesses are participating in Rally Reno County. There are links for both businesses to join and individuals to apply for the unmet needs fund on <a href="http://RallyReno.org">RallyReno.org</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585236822615.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce announced Monday that the Rally Reno campaign has surpassed the $75,000 mark. But it’s not stopping there. The Chamber also announced that another $25,000 was donated from the Donor Advised Fund at Hutchinson Community Foundation to keep the program going.Hutchinson Community Foundation, Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber, and United Way of Reno County originally launched Rally Reno County on March 26. It is an online tool that enables customers to put dollars in the hands of their favorite retail, service and hospitality businesses while providing assistance to those affected by layoffs or reductions in pay. The program operates off the basic premise of “buy local, give local.” When a customer buys a gift card through <a href="http://RallyReno.org">RallyReno.org</a>, the value of that gift card will be matched, dollar-for-dollar, with basic needs assistance to individuals and families who have been directly impacted by layoffs or wage loss because of the COVID-19 pandemic.About 90 businesses are participating in Rally Reno County. There are links for both businesses to join and individuals to apply for the unmet needs fund on <a href="http://RallyReno.org">RallyReno.org</a>.

Rally Reno campaign hits $75K

WASHINGTON (AP) — Blood tests for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak">coronavirus&nbsp;</a>could play a key role in deciding whether millions of Americans can safely return to work and school. But public health officials warn that the current “Wild West” of unregulated tests is creating confusion that could ultimately slow the path to recovery.

More than 70 companies have signed up to sell so-called antibody tests in recent weeks, according to U.S. regulators. Governments around the world hope that the rapid tests, which typically use a finger-prick of blood on a test strip, could soon ease public restrictions by identifying people who have previously had the virus and have developed some immunity to it.

But key questions remain: How accurate are the tests, how much protection is needed and how long will that protection last.

The blood tests are different from the nasal swab-based tests currently used to diagnose active COVID-19 infections. Instead, the tests look for blood proteins called antibodies, which the body produces days or weeks after fighting an infection. The same approach is used for HIV, hepatitis, Lyme disease, lupus and many other diseases.

Because of the relative simplicity of the technology, the Food and Drug Administration decided to waive initial review of the tests as part of its emergency response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Right now, the tests are most useful for researchers studying how the virus has spread through the U.S. population. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.niaid.nih.gov/news-events/nih-begins-study-quantify-undetected-cases-coronavirus-infection" target="_blank">government</a>&nbsp;said Friday it has started testing 10,000 volunteers. The White House has not outlined a broader plan for testing and how the results might be used.

With almost no FDA oversight of the tests, “Right now it’s a wild west show out there,” said Eric Blank of the Association for Public Health Laboratories. “It really has created a mess that’s going to take a while to clean up.”

“In the meantime, you’ve got a lot of companies marketing a lot of stuff and nobody has any idea of how good it is,” he said.

Members of Blank’s group, which represents state and local lab officials, have urged the FDA to revisit its lax approach toward the tests. That approach essentially allows companies to launch as long as they notify the agency and include disclaimers. Companies are supposed to state that their tests have not been FDA-approved and cannot rule out whether someone is currently infected.

Last week, FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn said in a statement that the agency will “take appropriate action” against companies making false claims or selling inaccurate tests.

During an interview Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Hahn expressed “concern” that tests being sold “may not be as accurate as we’d like them to be.”

“What we don’t want are wildly inaccurate tests,” he said. “That’s going to be much worse, having wildly inaccurate tests than having no test.”

Dr. Allison Rakeman of New York City’s Public Health Laboratory says some local hospitals are assuming the tests, which are listed on FDA’s website, “have been vetted, when they have not.”

The danger of faulty testing, Rakeman says, is that people will mistakenly conclude that they are immune or are no longer spreading the virus.

“Then somebody goes home and kisses their 90-year-old grandmother,” said Rakeman. “You don’t want to give someone a false sense of security.”

For most people, the new 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, and death.

For many infections, antibody levels above a certain threshold indicate that the person’s immune system has successfully fought off the virus and is likely protected from reinfection. For COVID-19, it’s not yet clear what level of antibodies render patients immune or how long immunity might last.

Adding to the confusion is the fact that both legitimate companies and fraudulent operators appear to be selling the kits. Distinguishing between the two can be a challenge.

Officials in Laredo, Texas, reported this month that some 2,500 antibody tests set for use at a local drive-thru testing site were likely frauds. City officials had ordered what they were told were “FDA-approved COVID-19 rapid tests,” from a local clinic. But when they checked the test’s accuracy, it fell well below the range promised, the city said in a statement.

Examples of U.S. companies skirting the rules appear online and in emails sent to hospitals.

Promotional emails sent to hospitals and reviewed by The Associated Press failed to include required disclaimers. Some kits sold on websites promote themselves as “FDA-approved” for home testing. The agency has not yet approved any COVID-19 home test. The blood tests have to processed by a lab.

“If you see them on the internet, do not buy them until we can give you a test that’s reliable for all Americans,” said Dr. Deborah Birx, coordinator of the White House coronavirus task force, at a recent briefing.

20/20 BioResponse is one of dozens of U.S. companies selling the tests to hospitals, clinics and doctor’s offices. The Rockville, Maryland-based company imports the tests from a Chinese manufacturer but CEO Jonathan Cohen says his company independently confirmed its performance in 60 U.S. patients. He estimates the company has shipped 10,000 tests and has had to limit orders due to demand.

He said antibody tests are not a “panacea but they’re not garbage either.”

Cohen called them “a tool in the toolbox that will have some value along with other tests.”

The company’s test is registered on the FDA website and includes all the required disclaimers.

To date, the FDA has only authorized one COVID-19 antibody test from North Carolina diagnostics company Cellex. The agency used its emergency powers, meaning a formal review is still needed.

The White House has also tried to temper expectations for the tests, while still promising that millions will soon be available.

Dr. Brett Giroir, the federal health official overseeing U.S. testing, told reporters a week ago that the FDA and other agencies are working to confirm the accuracy of the antibody tests.

“We’re going to be very careful to make sure that when we tell you you’re likely immune from the disease ... the test really said that,” Giroir said.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Blood tests for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak">coronavirus&nbsp;</a>could play a key role in deciding whether millions of Americans can safely return to work and school. But public health officials warn that the current “Wild West” of unregulated tests is creating confusion that could ultimately slow the path to recovery.More than 70 companies have signed up to sell so-called antibody tests in recent weeks, according to U.S. regulators. Governments around the world hope that the rapid tests, which typically use a finger-prick of blood on a test strip, could soon ease public restrictions by identifying people who have previously had the virus and have developed some immunity to it.But key questions remain: How accurate are the tests, how much protection is needed and how long will that protection last.The blood tests are different from the nasal swab-based tests currently used to diagnose active COVID-19 infections. Instead, the tests look for blood proteins called antibodies, which the body produces days or weeks after fighting an infection. The same approach is used for HIV, hepatitis, Lyme disease, lupus and many other diseases.Because of the relative simplicity of the technology, the Food and Drug Administration decided to waive initial review of the tests as part of its emergency response to the coronavirus outbreak.Right now, the tests are most useful for researchers studying how the virus has spread through the U.S. population. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.niaid.nih.gov/news-events/nih-begins-study-quantify-undetected-cases-coronavirus-infection" target="_blank">government</a>&nbsp;said Friday it has started testing 10,000 volunteers. The White House has not outlined a broader plan for testing and how the results might be used.With almost no FDA oversight of the tests, “Right now it’s a wild west show out there,” said Eric Blank of the Association for Public Health Laboratories. “It really has created a mess that’s going to take a while to clean up.”“In the meantime, you’ve got a lot of companies marketing a lot of stuff and nobody has any idea of how good it is,” he said.Members of Blank’s group, which represents state and local lab officials, have urged the FDA to revisit its lax approach toward the tests. That approach essentially allows companies to launch as long as they notify the agency and include disclaimers. Companies are supposed to state that their tests have not been FDA-approved and cannot rule out whether someone is currently infected.Last week, FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn said in a statement that the agency will “take appropriate action” against companies making false claims or selling inaccurate tests.During an interview Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Hahn expressed “concern” that tests being sold “may not be as accurate as we’d like them to be.”“What we don’t want are wildly inaccurate tests,” he said. “That’s going to be much worse, having wildly inaccurate tests than having no test.”Dr. Allison Rakeman of New York City’s Public Health Laboratory says some local hospitals are assuming the tests, which are listed on FDA’s website, “have been vetted, when they have not.”The danger of faulty testing, Rakeman says, is that people will mistakenly conclude that they are immune or are no longer spreading the virus.“Then somebody goes home and kisses their 90-year-old grandmother,” said Rakeman. “You don’t want to give someone a false sense of security.”For most people, the new 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, and death.For many infections, antibody levels above a certain threshold indicate that the person’s immune system has successfully fought off the virus and is likely protected from reinfection. For COVID-19, it’s not yet clear what level of antibodies render patients immune or how long immunity might last.Adding to the confusion is the fact that both legitimate companies and fraudulent operators appear to be selling the kits. Distinguishing between the two can be a challenge.Officials in Laredo, Texas, reported this month that some 2,500 antibody tests set for use at a local drive-thru testing site were likely frauds. City officials had ordered what they were told were “FDA-approved COVID-19 rapid tests,” from a local clinic. But when they checked the test’s accuracy, it fell well below the range promised, the city said in a statement.Examples of U.S. companies skirting the rules appear online and in emails sent to hospitals.Promotional emails sent to hospitals and reviewed by The Associated Press failed to include required disclaimers. Some kits sold on websites promote themselves as “FDA-approved” for home testing. The agency has not yet approved any COVID-19 home test. The blood tests have to processed by a lab.“If you see them on the internet, do not buy them until we can give you a test that’s reliable for all Americans,” said Dr. Deborah Birx, coordinator of the White House coronavirus task force, at a recent briefing.20/20 BioResponse is one of dozens of U.S. companies selling the tests to hospitals, clinics and doctor’s offices. The Rockville, Maryland-based company imports the tests from a Chinese manufacturer but CEO Jonathan Cohen says his company independently confirmed its performance in 60 U.S. patients. He estimates the company has shipped 10,000 tests and has had to limit orders due to demand.He said antibody tests are not a “panacea but they’re not garbage either.”Cohen called them “a tool in the toolbox that will have some value along with other tests.”The company’s test is registered on the FDA website and includes all the required disclaimers.To date, the FDA has only authorized one COVID-19 antibody test from North Carolina diagnostics company Cellex. The agency used its emergency powers, meaning a formal review is still needed.The White House has also tried to temper expectations for the tests, while still promising that millions will soon be available.Dr. Brett Giroir, the federal health official overseeing U.S. testing, told reporters a week ago that the FDA and other agencies are working to confirm the accuracy of the antibody tests.“We’re going to be very careful to make sure that when we tell you you’re likely immune from the disease ... the test really said that,” Giroir said.

Fears of 'Wild West' as COVID-19 blood tests hit the market

MISSION, Kan. (AP) — A coronavirus outbreak at a Kansas City area rehabilitation facility has now claimed 12 lives and sickened nearly 100 other residents and staff members.

Health officials in Wyandotte County&nbsp;said Monday&nbsp;that the Riverbend Post Acute Rehabilitation of Kansas City has 90 residents who tested positive and 20 staff. Five of the residents are hospitalized.

Janell Friesen, a spokeswoman for the county health department, said she she didn’t anticipate a surge in new cases there because most of the testing has been completed. The newest numbers are unchanged from Sunday, when positive cases rose by 18. She said staff is investigating how COVID-19 spread in the center.

Nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities have been particularly hard hit by the outbreak nationwide because they serve a vulnerable population that is in need of extensive hands-on care.

Riverbend said in a statement posted on its website that about 90% of patients are responding positively to care and that it is making palliative and supportive care available to those residents whose “overall course has not been as encouraging despite the efforts of our clinical team.”

Statewide, the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 grew Monday to 1,376, up 39 from Sunday. The number of deaths increased by six to 62.

The Kansas Department of Corrections said Monday that the sickened also include one resident of a Wichita work release facility. Corrections officials also are dealing with an outbreak at the Lansing Correction Facility.

Meanwhile, Kansas State University announced Monday that summer classes will move online with significantly reduced fees in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The university previously moved spring classes online.

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.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586610504976.png" alt="Cars lined up for virus testing -photo courtesy Johnson County Department of Health" />
 <figcaption>Cars lined up for virus testing -photo courtesy Johnson County Department of Health</figcaption>
 </figure>MISSION, Kan. (AP) — A coronavirus outbreak at a Kansas City area rehabilitation facility has now claimed 12 lives and sickened nearly 100 other residents and staff members.Health officials in Wyandotte County&nbsp;said Monday&nbsp;that the Riverbend Post Acute Rehabilitation of Kansas City has 90 residents who tested positive and 20 staff. Five of the residents are hospitalized.Janell Friesen, a spokeswoman for the county health department, said she she didn’t anticipate a surge in new cases there because most of the testing has been completed. The newest numbers are unchanged from Sunday, when positive cases rose by 18. She said staff is investigating how COVID-19 spread in the center.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586610467450.png" alt="Drive up virus testing photo courtesy Johnson County Department of Health" />
 <figcaption>Drive up virus testing photo courtesy Johnson County Department of Health</figcaption>
 </figure>Nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities have been particularly hard hit by the outbreak nationwide because they serve a vulnerable population that is in need of extensive hands-on care.Riverbend said in a statement posted on its website that about 90% of patients are responding positively to care and that it is making palliative and supportive care available to those residents whose “overall course has not been as encouraging despite the efforts of our clinical team.”Statewide, the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 grew Monday to 1,376, up 39 from Sunday. The number of deaths increased by six to 62.The Kansas Department of Corrections said Monday that the sickened also include one resident of a Wichita work release facility. Corrections officials also are dealing with an outbreak at the Lansing Correction Facility.Meanwhile, Kansas State University announced Monday that summer classes will move online with significantly reduced fees in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The university previously moved spring classes online.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.

Coronavirus deaths at Kansas rehab facility increase to 12

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Grieving the loss of a loved one, especially to cancer, does not stop with the COVID-19 pandemic. Hospice and Homecare of Reno County has established a Zoom video program for conducting grieving counseling. 

“We normally offer a grief support group throughout the community . . . that’s been going on for years and years,” Jeff Jones, chaplain for Hospice and Homecare, said. “What is new is the COVID-19 prevents letting us meet and so because of Zoom and the technology that is available we’re able to meet in a virtual world.”

Jones says the ability to get out and heal from the grieving process is being blunted by the COVID-19 outbreak.

“We haven’t been able to go to church in how many weeks? And for some that's how they draw their strength is in faith,” Jones said. “So they’re having to watch it at home.” Jones says many tell him that it's a little different watching church when you’re in your “jammies” than when you are there in person. 

Jones says the first meeting held on Monday had three people online. He said most of the talk was related to changes brought on by the pandemic rather than grief support. Three meetings will be held each week to accommodate those when they would like to attend.

A complete schedule and Zoom login information is available on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1538587949630120/?event_time_id=1538594569629458">Hospice and Homecare Facebook page</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586810903488.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Grieving the loss of a loved one, especially to cancer, does not stop with the COVID-19 pandemic. Hospice and Homecare of Reno County has established a Zoom video program for conducting grieving counseling. “We normally offer a grief support group throughout the community . . . that’s been going on for years and years,” Jeff Jones, chaplain for Hospice and Homecare, said. “What is new is the COVID-19 prevents letting us meet and so because of Zoom and the technology that is available we’re able to meet in a virtual world.”Jones says the ability to get out and heal from the grieving process is being blunted by the COVID-19 outbreak.“We haven’t been able to go to church in how many weeks? And for some that's how they draw their strength is in faith,” Jones said. “So they’re having to watch it at home.” Jones says many tell him that it's a little different watching church when you’re in your “jammies” than when you are there in person. Jones says the first meeting held on Monday had three people online. He said most of the talk was related to changes brought on by the pandemic rather than grief support. Three meetings will be held each week to accommodate those when they would like to attend.A complete schedule and Zoom login information is available on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1538587949630120/?event_time_id=1538594569629458">Hospice and Homecare Facebook page</a>.

Hospice and Homecare of Reno Co. offering video grief support

NEWTON, Kan. —The Harvey County Health Department has announced that the Kansas Department of Health and Environment has determined coronavirus, or COVID-19, as a probable factor in a Harvey County woman’s death.

The KDHE classified it as a probable – not presumptive-positive – case of COVID-19 on Monday. A probable case meets clinical criteria with a presumptive-positive lab test for blood work, but was negative in nasal swab testing for an active COVID-19 virus, according to the KDHE.

Because of this, the case has not been counted toward Harvey County’s case count at this time, but is attributed as a probable COVID-19 death. The Health Department will seek further guidance from the KDHE on its classification.

“First and foremost, our condolences go out to the family and friends of this member of our community. Harvey County is not invulnerable to the pain COVID-19 is causing in our world,” said Harvey County Health Department Director Lynnette Redington.

The individual, a woman in her 50s, died April 6. Underlying health conditions were a factor in the woman’s death. The woman had been hospitalized at an out-of-area medical facility.

Testing was completed by a private lab. The Health Department will work to follow up on all previous contacts.

This is the first probable COVID-19 death in Harvey County.

“We have to remain diligent in slowing the spread of COVID-19,” Redington said. “Unfortunately, this death only reinforces the urgency and danger of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Harvey County previously had four confirmed cases of COVID-19, with three individuals recovered.

The KDHE has a phone hotline available to answer questions or concerns regarding COVID-19 at 1-866-534-3463.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584475841056.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NEWTON, Kan. —The Harvey County Health Department has announced that the Kansas Department of Health and Environment has determined coronavirus, or COVID-19, as a probable factor in a Harvey County woman’s death.The KDHE classified it as a probable – not presumptive-positive – case of COVID-19 on Monday. A probable case meets clinical criteria with a presumptive-positive lab test for blood work, but was negative in nasal swab testing for an active COVID-19 virus, according to the KDHE.Because of this, the case has not been counted toward Harvey County’s case count at this time, but is attributed as a probable COVID-19 death. The Health Department will seek further guidance from the KDHE on its classification.“First and foremost, our condolences go out to the family and friends of this member of our community. Harvey County is not invulnerable to the pain COVID-19 is causing in our world,” said Harvey County Health Department Director Lynnette Redington.The individual, a woman in her 50s, died April 6. Underlying health conditions were a factor in the woman’s death. The woman had been hospitalized at an out-of-area medical facility.Testing was completed by a private lab. The Health Department will work to follow up on all previous contacts.This is the first probable COVID-19 death in Harvey County.“We have to remain diligent in slowing the spread of COVID-19,” Redington said. “Unfortunately, this death only reinforces the urgency and danger of the COVID-19 pandemic.”Harvey County previously had four confirmed cases of COVID-19, with three individuals recovered.The KDHE has a phone hotline available to answer questions or concerns regarding COVID-19 at 1-866-534-3463.&nbsp;

KDHE: COVID-19 probable factor in Harvey County death

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Like all healthcare centers during these uncertain times, PrairieStar has been busy adjusting to meet the needs of its patients and the community in a couple of different ways.  

PrairieStar added TELEHEALTH to its service line. The process uses Zoom communication to provide patients a face-to-face healthcare visit with their provider from the comfort of their own home. 

“Many of our sicker patients can’t afford to go without healthcare for a long period of time, so finding a way to keep up with their health was very important,” Dr. Rogena Johnson, chief medical officer, said. PrairieStar offers TELEHEALTH services in medical, dental, behavioral health and vision. 

PrairieStar also created a Volunteer Outreach Initiative to help in the community.  Each day, staff from different departments volunteer their time out in the community. Alicia Harrison, initiative director, is partnering with the HutchCC Volunteer Center working with Leah Chandler. Starting this week, they will be helping out in places like the Food Pantry and Meals on Wheels.

Bryant Anderson, CEO of PrairieStar, is excited about the prospects of this new initiative. “This is our community and the PrairieStar team considers it a privilege to serve community members in any way we can during this time of uncertainty.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586803833983.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Like all healthcare centers during these uncertain times, PrairieStar has been busy adjusting to meet the needs of its patients and the community in a couple of different ways. PrairieStar added TELEHEALTH to its service line. The process uses Zoom communication to provide patients a face-to-face healthcare visit with their provider from the comfort of their own home. “Many of our sicker patients can’t afford to go without healthcare for a long period of time, so finding a way to keep up with their health was very important,” Dr. Rogena Johnson, chief medical officer, said. PrairieStar offers TELEHEALTH services in medical, dental, behavioral health and vision. PrairieStar also created a Volunteer Outreach Initiative to help in the community. Each day, staff from different departments volunteer their time out in the community. Alicia Harrison, initiative director, is partnering with the HutchCC Volunteer Center working with Leah Chandler. Starting this week, they will be helping out in places like the Food Pantry and Meals on Wheels.Bryant Anderson, CEO of PrairieStar, is excited about the prospects of this new initiative. “This is our community and the PrairieStar team considers it a privilege to serve community members in any way we can during this time of uncertainty.”

PrairieStar offering TELEHEALTH services

TOPEKA —Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and KDHE Secretary Dr. Lee Norman discussed a variety of issues concerning the coronavirus pandemic during their Monday news conference.

The governor mentioned unemployment claims that are up by 3,400 percent and claims through the state web site are up 6,833 percent.

She also announced an <a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/executive-order-no-20-22/">executive order</a> extending temporary relief from some rules and regulations for motor carriers assisting with coronavirus relief.&nbsp;

Dr. Norman discussed the increase of just 39 positive virus cases in Kansas from Sunday&nbsp; to Monday. He reported the KDHE is&nbsp; monitoring 23 virus outbreaks including 12 in long term care facilities, 2 in group living homes, 3 in private businesses and 5 among religious gatherings in addition to the outbreak at the Lansing Correctional Facility where there are 37 cases including 17 inmates and 20 members of the staff.

TOPEKA —Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and KDHE Secretary Dr. Lee Norman discussed a variety of issues concerning the coronavirus pandemic during their Monday news conference.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FGovLauraKelly%2Fvideos%2F617785919081375%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>The governor mentioned unemployment claims that are up by 3,400 percent and claims through the state web site are up 6,833 percent.She also announced an <a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/executive-order-no-20-22/">executive order</a> extending temporary relief from some rules and regulations for motor carriers assisting with coronavirus relief.&nbsp;Dr. Norman discussed the increase of just 39 positive virus cases in Kansas from Sunday&nbsp; to Monday. He reported the KDHE is&nbsp; monitoring 23 virus outbreaks including 12 in long term care facilities, 2 in group living homes, 3 in private businesses and 5 among religious gatherings in addition to the outbreak at the Lansing Correctional Facility where there are 37 cases including 17 inmates and 20 members of the staff.

🎥 Gov. Kelly, KDHE Secretary give virus fight update

TOPEKA, Kan. – Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) Secretary Jeff Zmuda announced Monday that one resident at Wichita Work Release Facility (WWRF) tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday, April 12, according to a media release from the KDOC.

This is the second KDOC facility with a confirmed case, with the first cases reported at the Lansing Correction Facility.

The resident at WWRF was a male over the age of 40. In order to protect the identity of this resident, no other information will be released.

The KDOC has been in consultation with officials from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) on next steps to address these circumstances. As a result of that consultation with KDHE, the following steps were implemented:

“The newly reconstructed building at Lansing provides us the ability to isolate these residents, while also keeping them separate from the current residents of the old Lansing facility,” Zmuda said. “Moving this number of people on short notice is a major undertaking, our staff did a great job last night.”

The Wichita Work Release Facility, a satellite unit of the Winfield Correctional Facility, is an all-male, minimum-custody state prison with a population of 248 prior to this move.

TOPEKA, Kan. – Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) Secretary Jeff Zmuda announced Monday that one resident at Wichita Work Release Facility (WWRF) tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday, April 12, according to a media release from the KDOC.This is the second KDOC facility with a confirmed case, with the first cases reported at the Lansing Correction Facility.The resident at WWRF was a male over the age of 40. In order to protect the identity of this resident, no other information will be released.The KDOC has been in consultation with officials from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) on next steps to address these circumstances. As a result of that consultation with KDHE, the following steps were implemented:<ol>
 <li>WWRF has two open dormitory housing units. The 113 residents from the unit where the man tested positive were moved Sunday night to the newly reconstructed building at Lansing Correctional Facility (LCF) for medical isolation and monitoring</li><li>KDHE conducted contact tracing to ascertain who among our staff and residents have been in close contact with this individual</li><li>Sedgwick County Health Department conducted contact tracing to identify anyone outside of WWRF who may have been in close contact with this individual and will notify those persons</li><li>KDOC will remain diligent in monitoring other staff and residents for symptoms</li>
 </ol>“The newly reconstructed building at Lansing provides us the ability to isolate these residents, while also keeping them separate from the current residents of the old Lansing facility,” Zmuda said. “Moving this number of people on short notice is a major undertaking, our staff did a great job last night.”The Wichita Work Release Facility, a satellite unit of the Winfield Correctional Facility, is an all-male, minimum-custody state prison with a population of 248 prior to this move.

Inmates at Kan. work facility moved after positive COVID-19 test


KANSAS CITY –The University of Kansas Medical Center announced Monday that it will be participating in a nationwide clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in preventing COVID-19 infection in exposed
 health care workers. KU Medical Center is one of 60 such sites across the nation that will be participating in this clinical trial, led by the Duke Clinical Research Institute.


The trial, the Healthcare Worker Exposure Response and Outcomes of Hydroxychloroquine (HERO HCQ, will launch April 22. It is a phase-3 double-blinded clinical trial, funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). It is accompanied by a
 registry, launching today, that will create a community of health care workers who have expressed interest in contributing to the scientific community’s understanding of the impact of COVID-19.


Mario Castro, M.D., MPH, vice chair for clinical and translational research and pulmonologist at the University of Kansas School of Medicine, will serve as principal investigator for the KU Medical Center site of the study.


“At this point in the pandemic, hospitals are reporting that 20% of U.S. health care workers are becoming infected with COVID-19.&nbsp;
When that happens, one in five must go into quarantine and cannot take care of patients,” Castro said. “This study is critical for safeguarding the personal health of these workers and for protecting the health care workforce at this critical time. Our
 hope is that this drug will decrease the risk of exposed workers developing an active COVID-19 infection.”

KU Medical Center aims to recruit 500 participants to the study while also promoting the registry, which will enroll health care workers from throughout the United States, at
<a href="https://heroesresearch.org/" target="_blank">
heroesresearch.org</a>. The HERO Registry is open to all health care workers in the United States, including nurses, therapists, physicians, emergency responders, food service workers and environmental service workers — anyone who works in a setting where people
 receive health care and are exposed to COVID-19.


The plan is to use the registry to locate health care workers for the current drug trial, but the registry also will allow health care workers to indicate their willingness to participate in future clinical trials regarding COVID-19.


“Health care workers on the front lines are critical to the pandemic response,” said Adrian Hernandez, M.D., a Duke professor of cardiology and the administrative principal investigator of the nationwide trial. “To address their needs, we need to do rapid-cycle
 research and clinical trials,” said Hernandez, who originated the program and is a member of the Duke Clinical Research Institute.


“Although there has been discussion about hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) as a potential prevention method for COVID-19, we are lacking the data on safety and efficacy of this therapy,” Hernandez said. “By conducting this study with health care workers, we are working
 directly with those who understand the importance of quickly getting answers into the hands of those on the front line.”


The study and the registry are funded by an award from PCORI, a nonprofit organization established in 2010 through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Congress re-authorized funding of PCORI in December 2019.


“PCORI is very pleased to fund this critical study as part of the effort to marshal the nation’s scientific and clinical expertise to address the unprecedented threat COVID-19 poses to the United States,” said Josephine P. Briggs, M.D., PCORI interim executive
 director. “This study’s focus on high-risk health care workers is especially important given their vital role on the front lines of treating this novel infection.”


The study will leverage the infrastructure of PCORnet, the National Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network, and its established research network of more than 850,000 clinicians and hundreds of health systems, to allow research to be conducted quickly and
 efficiently. Study results will be shared widely with the health care community, including participating health care workers and others most affected. KU Medical Center is a member of PCORnet.



“For health care workers treating patients during this pandemic and beyond, prevention strategies are critical,” Briggs said. “But we need more data and evidence about HCQ’s safety and effectiveness. Using PCORnet to power this project will enable rapid data
 capture and analysis that will provide insights quickly to those who need it most.”


Russ Waitman, Ph.D., director of medical informatics at the KU Medical Center, is the principal investigator of the PCORnet Greater Plains Collaborative Clinical Data Research Network, which includes 12 medical centers in nine states.

Health care workers interested in participating in the hydroxychloroquine clinical trial at KU Medical Center may contact Shelby Almo at
<a href="mailto:salmo@kumc.ed" target="_blank">
salmo@kumc.ed</a>u or 913-574-3006, and they also must register at
<a href="https://heroesresearch.org/" target="_blank">
heroesresearch.org</a>. Health care workers interested in learning more or in participating in the registry should visit the website at
<a href="https://heroesresearch.org/" target="_blank">
heroesresearch.org</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586788014339.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KUMC News Service
KANSAS CITY –The University of Kansas Medical Center announced Monday that it will be participating in a nationwide clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in preventing COVID-19 infection in exposed
 health care workers. KU Medical Center is one of 60 such sites across the nation that will be participating in this clinical trial, led by the Duke Clinical Research Institute.
The trial, the Healthcare Worker Exposure Response and Outcomes of Hydroxychloroquine (HERO HCQ, will launch April 22. It is a phase-3 double-blinded clinical trial, funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). It is accompanied by a
 registry, launching today, that will create a community of health care workers who have expressed interest in contributing to the scientific community’s understanding of the impact of COVID-19.
Mario Castro, M.D., MPH, vice chair for clinical and translational research and pulmonologist at the University of Kansas School of Medicine, will serve as principal investigator for the KU Medical Center site of the study.
“At this point in the pandemic, hospitals are reporting that 20% of U.S. health care workers are becoming infected with COVID-19.&nbsp;
When that happens, one in five must go into quarantine and cannot take care of patients,” Castro said. “This study is critical for safeguarding the personal health of these workers and for protecting the health care workforce at this critical time. Our
 hope is that this drug will decrease the risk of exposed workers developing an active COVID-19 infection.”
KU Medical Center aims to recruit 500 participants to the study while also promoting the registry, which will enroll health care workers from throughout the United States, at
<a href="https://heroesresearch.org/" target="_blank">
heroesresearch.org</a>. The HERO Registry is open to all health care workers in the United States, including nurses, therapists, physicians, emergency responders, food service workers and environmental service workers — anyone who works in a setting where people
 receive health care and are exposed to COVID-19.
The plan is to use the registry to locate health care workers for the current drug trial, but the registry also will allow health care workers to indicate their willingness to participate in future clinical trials regarding COVID-19.
“Health care workers on the front lines are critical to the pandemic response,” said Adrian Hernandez, M.D., a Duke professor of cardiology and the administrative principal investigator of the nationwide trial. “To address their needs, we need to do rapid-cycle
 research and clinical trials,” said Hernandez, who originated the program and is a member of the Duke Clinical Research Institute.
“Although there has been discussion about hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) as a potential prevention method for COVID-19, we are lacking the data on safety and efficacy of this therapy,” Hernandez said. “By conducting this study with health care workers, we are working
 directly with those who understand the importance of quickly getting answers into the hands of those on the front line.”
The study and the registry are funded by an award from PCORI, a nonprofit organization established in 2010 through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Congress re-authorized funding of PCORI in December 2019.
“PCORI is very pleased to fund this critical study as part of the effort to marshal the nation’s scientific and clinical expertise to address the unprecedented threat COVID-19 poses to the United States,” said Josephine P. Briggs, M.D., PCORI interim executive
 director. “This study’s focus on high-risk health care workers is especially important given their vital role on the front lines of treating this novel infection.”
The study will leverage the infrastructure of PCORnet, the National Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network, and its established research network of more than 850,000 clinicians and hundreds of health systems, to allow research to be conducted quickly and
 efficiently. Study results will be shared widely with the health care community, including participating health care workers and others most affected. KU Medical Center is a member of PCORnet.

“For health care workers treating patients during this pandemic and beyond, prevention strategies are critical,” Briggs said. “But we need more data and evidence about HCQ’s safety and effectiveness. Using PCORnet to power this project will enable rapid data
 capture and analysis that will provide insights quickly to those who need it most.”
Russ Waitman, Ph.D., director of medical informatics at the KU Medical Center, is the principal investigator of the PCORnet Greater Plains Collaborative Clinical Data Research Network, which includes 12 medical centers in nine states.
Health care workers interested in participating in the hydroxychloroquine clinical trial at KU Medical Center may contact Shelby Almo at
<a href="mailto:salmo@kumc.ed" target="_blank">
salmo@kumc.ed</a>u or 913-574-3006, and they also must register at
<a href="https://heroesresearch.org/" target="_blank">
heroesresearch.org</a>. Health care workers interested in learning more or in participating in the registry should visit the website at
<a href="https://heroesresearch.org/" target="_blank">
heroesresearch.org</a>.

KU to participate in clinical trial of hydroxychloroquine in health care workers


HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
Reno County Health Department director Nick Baldetti continues to be frustrated by the lack of good data he can get on this virus because of a lack of testing capacity.

"It's completely reactive," Baldetti said Monday. "There's a real struggle due to supply chain issues on multiple fronts, to really proactively begin to plan to better inform those policy decision makings such as stay at home orders and social distancing guidelines."

Baldetti noted that right now there isn't a framework for antibody testing that would allow those who have had the virus and survived it without knowing it to get back to work.

"If we had a better understanding of just how saturated exposure was for COVID-19 and we had a much larger denominator than what we're holding now, with the same amount of mortalities and instead of holding a 4% mortality rate, we're holding a .0001% mortality rate, then we would be able to accurately make the statement of, this isn't more deadly than the flu. We don't shut down local economies because of the flu, but we don't have that information and so we can't accurately say that. Indicators suggest that it is more deadly than the flu, but we don't have a way to confirm or quantify that."

As long as we don't know and can't get a test to find out how many are sick or how many have been sick, it is not possible to accurately figure a timeline for how long current measures must be taken.

"We continue to only react to the thunder," Baldetti said. "We have no way of even measuring where the lightning might strike. That makes this response, in its totality, extremely challenging."

The best guess Baldetti could give as to how far behind the national curve we are is that it took about two weeks to get from in the United States to Kansas and about another two weeks from Kansas to Reno County, but there still isn't enough data to know how far we are up on the curve definitively.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586533807157.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>
By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. — 
Reno County Health Department director Nick Baldetti continues to be frustrated by the lack of good data he can get on this virus because of a lack of testing capacity."It's completely reactive," Baldetti said Monday. "There's a real struggle due to supply chain issues on multiple fronts, to really proactively begin to plan to better inform those policy decision makings such as stay at home orders and social distancing guidelines."Baldetti noted that right now there isn't a framework for antibody testing that would allow those who have had the virus and survived it without knowing it to get back to work."If we had a better understanding of just how saturated exposure was for COVID-19 and we had a much larger denominator than what we're holding now, with the same amount of mortalities and instead of holding a 4% mortality rate, we're holding a .0001% mortality rate, then we would be able to accurately make the statement of, this isn't more deadly than the flu. We don't shut down local economies because of the flu, but we don't have that information and so we can't accurately say that. Indicators suggest that it is more deadly than the flu, but we don't have a way to confirm or quantify that."As long as we don't know and can't get a test to find out how many are sick or how many have been sick, it is not possible to accurately figure a timeline for how long current measures must be taken."We continue to only react to the thunder," Baldetti said. "We have no way of even measuring where the lightning might strike. That makes this response, in its totality, extremely challenging."The best guess Baldetti could give as to how far behind the national curve we are is that it took about two weeks to get from in the United States to Kansas and about another two weeks from Kansas to Reno County, but there still isn't enough data to know how far we are up on the curve definitively.

Baldetti: Response to virus still completely reactive

NEW YORK (AP) — More than 3,300 deaths nationwide have been linked to coronavirus outbreaks in nursing homes and long-term care facilities, an alarming rise in just the past two weeks, according to the latest count by The Associated Press.

Because the federal government has not been releasing a count of its own, the AP has kept its own running tally based on media reports and state health departments. The latest count of at least 3,321 deaths is up from about 450 deaths just 10 days ago.

But the true toll among the 1 million mostly frail and elderly people who live in such facilities is likely much higher, experts say, because most state counts don’t include those who died without ever being tested for COVID-19.

Outbreaks in just the past few weeks have included one at a nursing home in suburban Richmond that has killed 40 and infected more than 100, another at nursing home in central Indiana that has killed 24 and infected 16, and one at a veteran’s home in Holyoke, Mass., that has killed 37, infected 76 and prompted a federal investigation. This comes weeks after an outbreak at a nursing home in the Seattle suburb of Kirkland that has so far claimed 43 lives.

And those are just the outbreaks we know about. Most states provide only total numbers of nursing home deaths and don’t give details of specific outbreaks. Notable among them is the nation’s leader, New York, which accounts for 1,880 nursing home deaths out of about 96,000 total residents but has so far declined to detail specific outbreaks, citing privacy concerns.

Experts say nursing home deaths may keep climbing because of chronic staffing shortages that have been made worse by the coronavirus crisis, a shortage of protective supplies and a continued lack of available testing.

And the deaths have skyrocketed despite steps taken by the federal government in mid-March to bar visitors, cease all group activities, and require that every worker be screened for fever or respiratory symptoms at every shift.

But an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/78e495c299d67e60d45729352f2c0d44">AP report&nbsp;</a>earlier this month found that infections were continuing to find their way into nursing homes because such screenings didn’t catch people who were infected but asymptomatic. Several large outbreaks were blamed on such spreaders, including infected health workers who worked at several different nursing home facilities.

This past week, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that regulates nursing homes issued recommendations urging nursing homes to use separate staffing teams for residents, and to designate separate facilities within nursing homes to keep COVID-19 positive residents away from those who have tested negative.

Dr. Deborah Birx, who leads the White House coronavirus response, suggested this past week that as more COVID-19 tests become available, nursing homes should be a top priority.

“We need to really ensure that nursing homes have sentinel surveillance. And what do I mean by that? That we’re actively testing in nursing homes, both the residents and the workers, at all times,” Birx said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585657534018.png" alt="Life Care Center of Burlington, Kansas is linked to multiple coronavirus cases and deaths, according to the KDHE- Google image" />
 <figcaption>Life Care Center of Burlington, Kansas is linked to multiple coronavirus cases and deaths, according to the KDHE- Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — More than 3,300 deaths nationwide have been linked to coronavirus outbreaks in nursing homes and long-term care facilities, an alarming rise in just the past two weeks, according to the latest count by The Associated Press.Because the federal government has not been releasing a count of its own, the AP has kept its own running tally based on media reports and state health departments. The latest count of at least 3,321 deaths is up from about 450 deaths just 10 days ago.But the true toll among the 1 million mostly frail and elderly people who live in such facilities is likely much higher, experts say, because most state counts don’t include those who died without ever being tested for COVID-19.Outbreaks in just the past few weeks have included one at a nursing home in suburban Richmond that has killed 40 and infected more than 100, another at nursing home in central Indiana that has killed 24 and infected 16, and one at a veteran’s home in Holyoke, Mass., that has killed 37, infected 76 and prompted a federal investigation. This comes weeks after an outbreak at a nursing home in the Seattle suburb of Kirkland that has so far claimed 43 lives.And those are just the outbreaks we know about. Most states provide only total numbers of nursing home deaths and don’t give details of specific outbreaks. Notable among them is the nation’s leader, New York, which accounts for 1,880 nursing home deaths out of about 96,000 total residents but has so far declined to detail specific outbreaks, citing privacy concerns.Experts say nursing home deaths may keep climbing because of chronic staffing shortages that have been made worse by the coronavirus crisis, a shortage of protective supplies and a continued lack of available testing.And the deaths have skyrocketed despite steps taken by the federal government in mid-March to bar visitors, cease all group activities, and require that every worker be screened for fever or respiratory symptoms at every shift.But an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/78e495c299d67e60d45729352f2c0d44">AP report&nbsp;</a>earlier this month found that infections were continuing to find their way into nursing homes because such screenings didn’t catch people who were infected but asymptomatic. Several large outbreaks were blamed on such spreaders, including infected health workers who worked at several different nursing home facilities.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586725126011.png" alt="Dr. Deborah Birx leads the White House coronavirus response team-White House image" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Deborah Birx leads the White House coronavirus response team-White House image</figcaption>
 </figure>This past week, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that regulates nursing homes issued recommendations urging nursing homes to use separate staffing teams for residents, and to designate separate facilities within nursing homes to keep COVID-19 positive residents away from those who have tested negative.Dr. Deborah Birx, who leads the White House coronavirus response, suggested this past week that as more COVID-19 tests become available, nursing homes should be a top priority.“We need to really ensure that nursing homes have sentinel surveillance. And what do I mean by that? That we’re actively testing in nursing homes, both the residents and the workers, at all times,” Birx said.

Nursing home virus deaths soar past 3,300 in alarming surge

HUTCHINSON, Kan. —&nbsp;As of 5:00 p.m. Sunday, April 12, Reno County now has thirteen positive cases of COVID-19.

The first new case is a female in her fifties with an unknown source of exposure. She is currently in-home isolation.

The second new case is a male in his fifties with an unknown source of exposure. He is currently in-home isolation.

We cannot currently release any further information as case contact investigation is currently under way.

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

The Reno County Health Department also has a self-reporting form hosted on its COVID-19 Information Center (<a href="https://www.renogov.org/741/COVID-19">https://www.renogov.org/741/COVID-1</a>9). 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, as well as those residents who begin to showcase symptoms in the coming weeks and months.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586618182731.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>HUTCHINSON, Kan. —&nbsp;As of 5:00 p.m. Sunday, April 12, Reno County now has thirteen positive cases of COVID-19.The first new case is a female in her fifties with an unknown source of exposure. She is currently in-home isolation.The second new case is a male in his fifties with an unknown source of exposure. He is currently in-home isolation.We cannot currently release any further information as case contact investigation is currently under way.Four previously confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Reno County have since completed recovery and are non-symptomatic per disease investigation guidelines furnished by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.The Reno County Health Department also has a self-reporting form hosted on its COVID-19 Information Center (<a href="https://www.renogov.org/741/COVID-19">https://www.renogov.org/741/COVID-1</a>9). 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, 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 bend, limit handshakes and physical contact. Stay home if you are feeling ill and call your primary care physician to discuss your symptoms.

Reno County confirmed cases up to 13, nine still symptomatic

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A major California labor union that claimed to have discovered a stockpile of 39 million masks for health care workers fighting the coronavirus was duped in an elaborate scam uncovered by FBI investigators, according to a newspaper report Sunday.

Investigators stumbled onto the scheme while looking into whether they could intercept the masks for the Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Defense Production Act, the U.S. attorney’s office said Friday.

The federal government has been quietly seizing supplies across the country as the outbreak spreads. But in this case, there was no warehouse, and there were no masks to seize, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-04-11/coronavirus-seiu-masks-fraud-fbi" target="_blank">Los Angeles Times</a>&nbsp;reported.

U.S. Attorney Scott Brady told the Times that investigators tracked the tip back to a Pittsburgh businessman, who said he had been working with the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West to secure millions of masks.

The businessman had been using WhatsApp to connect with a broker in Australia and a supplier in Kuwait, who are both now the target of a federal investigation, Brady said.

The union, known as SEIU, and the Pittsburgh businessman are not under investigation and both appear to be among a string of middlemen who were fooled, Brady said.

“There are opportunists who are looking for any victim,” he said.

The promise of 39 million masks was first made public March 26, when the union announced it had found the stockpile after 48 hours of frantic phone calls pursuing leads on potential suppliers. The announcement by the union was widely covered by major media outlets and listed several hospital systems and government agencies as buyers.

Behind the scenes, the deal quickly unraveled. Buyers said they failed to receive reliable information about where they could inspect the shipments.

At one point, the Australian broker told the middleman in Pittsburgh that 2 million masks were located in a warehouse in Georgia and that the product had been inspected by a particular certification company.

That, Brady said, “was also part of the ruse.”

No money was exchanged in the attempts to finalize a deal, according to Brady.

Experts in the global supply chain say dubious brokers and suppliers have flooded the market with suspect offers, creating an atmosphere of confusion and distrust just as hospitals are trying to stock up on the gear doctors and nurses need to protect themselves from the virus.

Steve Trossman, spokesman for SEIU-UHW, told the Times that union officials had been trying to find equipment for members, and the group had no financial interest in any transactions.

“As far as we knew, he had legitimate masks,” Trossman said of the supplier, “and the people who were going to purchase those masks were going to fully vet it and check it out and do their due diligence.”

Brady said federal investigators had reason to suspect the arrangement. The 39 million masks were advertised as N95 masks from 3M, the largest U.S.-based manufacturer. But 3M told federal investigators it manufactured only 20 million such masks last year, making that large of a stockpile unlikely unless the product was counterfeit.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586739551363.png" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A major California labor union that claimed to have discovered a stockpile of 39 million masks for health care workers fighting the coronavirus was duped in an elaborate scam uncovered by FBI investigators, according to a newspaper report Sunday.Investigators stumbled onto the scheme while looking into whether they could intercept the masks for the Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Defense Production Act, the U.S. attorney’s office said Friday.The federal government has been quietly seizing supplies across the country as the outbreak spreads. But in this case, there was no warehouse, and there were no masks to seize, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-04-11/coronavirus-seiu-masks-fraud-fbi" target="_blank">Los Angeles Times</a>&nbsp;reported.U.S. Attorney Scott Brady told the Times that investigators tracked the tip back to a Pittsburgh businessman, who said he had been working with the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West to secure millions of masks.The businessman had been using WhatsApp to connect with a broker in Australia and a supplier in Kuwait, who are both now the target of a federal investigation, Brady said.The union, known as SEIU, and the Pittsburgh businessman are not under investigation and both appear to be among a string of middlemen who were fooled, Brady said.“There are opportunists who are looking for any victim,” he said.The promise of 39 million masks was first made public March 26, when the union announced it had found the stockpile after 48 hours of frantic phone calls pursuing leads on potential suppliers. The announcement by the union was widely covered by major media outlets and listed several hospital systems and government agencies as buyers.Behind the scenes, the deal quickly unraveled. Buyers said they failed to receive reliable information about where they could inspect the shipments.At one point, the Australian broker told the middleman in Pittsburgh that 2 million masks were located in a warehouse in Georgia and that the product had been inspected by a particular certification company.That, Brady said, “was also part of the ruse.”No money was exchanged in the attempts to finalize a deal, according to Brady.Experts in the global supply chain say dubious brokers and suppliers have flooded the market with suspect offers, creating an atmosphere of confusion and distrust just as hospitals are trying to stock up on the gear doctors and nurses need to protect themselves from the virus.Steve Trossman, spokesman for SEIU-UHW, told the Times that union officials had been trying to find equipment for members, and the group had no financial interest in any transactions.“As far as we knew, he had legitimate masks,” Trossman said of the supplier, “and the people who were going to purchase those masks were going to fully vet it and check it out and do their due diligence.”Brady said federal investigators had reason to suspect the arrangement. The 39 million masks were advertised as N95 masks from 3M, the largest U.S.-based manufacturer. But 3M told federal investigators it manufactured only 20 million such masks last year, making that large of a stockpile unlikely unless the product was counterfeit.

Scam report: Stockpile of 39 million masks exposed as fake

BOSTON (AP) — Courthouses shuttered. Thousands of trials on hold. Legal deadlines pushed.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak">coronavirus pandemic</a>&nbsp;has crippled the U.S. legal system, creating constitutional dilemmas as the accused miss their days in court. The public health crisis could build a legal backlog that overwhelms courts across the country, leaving some defendants behind bars longer, and forcing prosecutors to decide which cases to pursue and which to let slide.

“Everybody is scrambling. Nobody really knows how to handle this,” said Claudia Lagos, a criminal defense attorney in Boston.

Judges from California to Maine have postponed trials and nearly all in-person hearings to keep crowds from packing courthouses. Trials that were underway — like the high-profile case against multimillionaire&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/467ac61d7ea434c1de2ee387d58a2ec4">real estate heir Robert Durst</a>&nbsp;— have been halted. Some chief judges have suspended grand juries, rendering new indictments impossible. Other have allowed them to sit, though six feet apart.

Prosecutors may have to abandon some low-level cases to keep people from flooding into the legal system.

Many judges are holding hearings by phone or video chat to keep all cases from grinding to a halt. Other courts are stymied by outdated technology. The clerk for the the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Molly Dwyer, likened the logistical challenges to “building the bike as we ride it.”

Judges have asked for emergency powers to delay trials longer than the law generally allows and extend key deadlines, like when a defendant must initially appear in court.

That could keep people locked up longer, exposing them to unsafe jail conditions, and violate their constitutional right to a speedy trial, defense lawyers say.

“We shouldn’t be creating mechanisms in the current crisis to keep people in jail longer. The jails are just tinderboxes waiting for the virus to take off,” said Jeff Chorney, deputy public defender in Alameda County, California. Courts there now have seven days instead of 48 hours to hold arraignments, during which a defendant is often appointed a lawyer and can enter a plea.

The pandemic has shuttered nearly every aspect of everyday life as the death toll mounts and more states impose strict stay-at-home orders.&nbsp;There are nearly 600,000 cases and more than 21,000 deaths in the U.S., according to a tally kept by Johns Hopkins University.

Still, coast-to-coast disruptions of the courts system are unprecedented.

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina forced courts in New Orleans to temporarily close. The suspension of legal deadlines after the natural disaster left thousands languishing behind bars for months without formal charges, attorneys say. Lawyers there fear a repeat.

“On a regular day, without a crisis like Katrina and COVID, you can imagine people getting lost in a system like this,” said Alanah Odoms Hebert, executive director of the ACLU of Louisiana. “There will be a lot folks who fall through the cracks.”

No civil litigation is getting done. U.S. District Judge Steven Seeger in Chicago chafed at a recent request for an emergency order barring the alleged misuse of elf and unicorn drawings. “The world,” he said, “is facing a real emergency. (The) plaintiff is not.”

The COVID-19 disruptions are causing widespread confusion with prosecutors and defense attorneys as they struggle to file documents, get matters heard in courthouses operating on skeleton crews and share information with jailed clients while maintaining social distancing.

Lawyers for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/6676f7ebfc7c454baace1eaeca501501">Elizabeth Holmes</a>, head of the blood-testing startup Theranos scheduled to be tried this summer for allegedly defrauding investors, asked a California federal judge to also exempt them from the orders. They said the restrictions made witness preparation and serving subpoenas difficult. The judge refused.

Attorneys are wary of visiting their clients in jails for fear of contracting the virus or spreading it behind bars. They rely on phone calls, which in some places are recorded, limiting what they can say.

“You have to sort of chose between your safety and your client’s safety ... or their constitutional rights. It’s a really impossible situation,” said William Isenberg, a Boston defense attorney.

The haphazard operations could lead defendants to later challenge convictions, even if their lawyers did the best they could during the virus-related tumult.

Courthouse chaos may worsen when the shutdowns end, as judges try to return to old cases while fielding a burst in new cases. A flood of lawsuits linked to COVID-19 will add to the logjam.

“The courts are looking down the barrel of a real serious bottleneck,” said Jonathan Smith, executive director of the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs. “I don’t think anybody has figured out what they’re going to do.”

Crime victims are also forced to wait. In Minnesota, the virus has postponed the federal trial of an Illinois militia leader accused of being the ringleader in the 2017 pipe bombing of a Minnesota mosque.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/d15a219d119ea92bad722771e7923722">Michael Hari’s trial</a>&nbsp;was already postponed once. Now it’s scheduled for late July.

Mohamed Omar, executive director of the mosque, said community members want to see quick justice, but that he understands the need for a delay.

“The safety of our community and those that are vulnerable are more important to us now more than any other thing,” he said. “This is bigger than all of us.”

BOSTON (AP) — Courthouses shuttered. Thousands of trials on hold. Legal deadlines pushed.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak">coronavirus pandemic</a>&nbsp;has crippled the U.S. legal system, creating constitutional dilemmas as the accused miss their days in court. The public health crisis could build a legal backlog that overwhelms courts across the country, leaving some defendants behind bars longer, and forcing prosecutors to decide which cases to pursue and which to let slide.“Everybody is scrambling. Nobody really knows how to handle this,” said Claudia Lagos, a criminal defense attorney in Boston.Judges from California to Maine have postponed trials and nearly all in-person hearings to keep crowds from packing courthouses. Trials that were underway — like the high-profile case against multimillionaire&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/467ac61d7ea434c1de2ee387d58a2ec4">real estate heir Robert Durst</a>&nbsp;— have been halted. Some chief judges have suspended grand juries, rendering new indictments impossible. Other have allowed them to sit, though six feet apart.Prosecutors may have to abandon some low-level cases to keep people from flooding into the legal system.Many judges are holding hearings by phone or video chat to keep all cases from grinding to a halt. Other courts are stymied by outdated technology. The clerk for the the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Molly Dwyer, likened the logistical challenges to “building the bike as we ride it.”Judges have asked for emergency powers to delay trials longer than the law generally allows and extend key deadlines, like when a defendant must initially appear in court.That could keep people locked up longer, exposing them to unsafe jail conditions, and violate their constitutional right to a speedy trial, defense lawyers say.“We shouldn’t be creating mechanisms in the current crisis to keep people in jail longer. The jails are just tinderboxes waiting for the virus to take off,” said Jeff Chorney, deputy public defender in Alameda County, California. Courts there now have seven days instead of 48 hours to hold arraignments, during which a defendant is often appointed a lawyer and can enter a plea.The pandemic has shuttered nearly every aspect of everyday life as the death toll mounts and more states impose strict stay-at-home orders.&nbsp;There are nearly 600,000 cases and more than 21,000 deaths in the U.S., according to a tally kept by Johns Hopkins University.Still, coast-to-coast disruptions of the courts system are unprecedented.In 2005, Hurricane Katrina forced courts in New Orleans to temporarily close. The suspension of legal deadlines after the natural disaster left thousands languishing behind bars for months without formal charges, attorneys say. Lawyers there fear a repeat.“On a regular day, without a crisis like Katrina and COVID, you can imagine people getting lost in a system like this,” said Alanah Odoms Hebert, executive director of the ACLU of Louisiana. “There will be a lot folks who fall through the cracks.”No civil litigation is getting done. U.S. District Judge Steven Seeger in Chicago chafed at a recent request for an emergency order barring the alleged misuse of elf and unicorn drawings. “The world,” he said, “is facing a real emergency. (The) plaintiff is not.”The COVID-19 disruptions are causing widespread confusion with prosecutors and defense attorneys as they struggle to file documents, get matters heard in courthouses operating on skeleton crews and share information with jailed clients while maintaining social distancing.Lawyers for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/6676f7ebfc7c454baace1eaeca501501">Elizabeth Holmes</a>, head of the blood-testing startup Theranos scheduled to be tried this summer for allegedly defrauding investors, asked a California federal judge to also exempt them from the orders. They said the restrictions made witness preparation and serving subpoenas difficult. The judge refused.Attorneys are wary of visiting their clients in jails for fear of contracting the virus or spreading it behind bars. They rely on phone calls, which in some places are recorded, limiting what they can say.“You have to sort of chose between your safety and your client’s safety ... or their constitutional rights. It’s a really impossible situation,” said William Isenberg, a Boston defense attorney.The haphazard operations could lead defendants to later challenge convictions, even if their lawyers did the best they could during the virus-related tumult.Courthouse chaos may worsen when the shutdowns end, as judges try to return to old cases while fielding a burst in new cases. A flood of lawsuits linked to COVID-19 will add to the logjam.“The courts are looking down the barrel of a real serious bottleneck,” said Jonathan Smith, executive director of the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs. “I don’t think anybody has figured out what they’re going to do.”Crime victims are also forced to wait. In Minnesota, the virus has postponed the federal trial of an Illinois militia leader accused of being the ringleader in the 2017 pipe bombing of a Minnesota mosque.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/d15a219d119ea92bad722771e7923722">Michael Hari’s trial</a>&nbsp;was already postponed once. Now it’s scheduled for late July.Mohamed Omar, executive director of the mosque, said community members want to see quick justice, but that he understands the need for a delay.“The safety of our community and those that are vulnerable are more important to us now more than any other thing,” he said. “This is bigger than all of us.”For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in a few weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death.____

Coronavirus Update