By NOMIN UJIYEDIIN, <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-09-14/leavenworth-leads-federal-prisons-in-covid-19-cases-and-inmates-families-are-worried">Kansas News Service</a>

LAWRENCE — For months, the U.S. Penitentiary at Leavenworth avoided the worst of the coronavirus pandemic. But that’s changed.

Leavenworth has the highest number of <a href="https://www.bop.gov/coronavirus/" target="_blank">COVID-19 cases in the entire federal prison system</a>, with 206 inmates and five staff members with the virus. There are currently 1,594 people incarcerated at the prison.

Family
 members of Leavenworth inmates say that, like in other federal and 
state prisons, their loved ones are living in close quarters with other 
inmates and prison employees, not all of whom wear masks. The families 
allege medical staff can be inattentive and that inmates have no choice 
but to congregate closely around phones and showers because of the 
months-long restrictions on leaving their dorms or cells.

Amanda Karch is even worried about her boyfriend’s mental health.

“He says he’s depressed. He’s anxious,” she said. “He’s just unsure. He doesn’t know what’s going to happen.”

The
 federal Bureau of Prisons declined multiple requests for interviews, 
but emailed a statement in response to questions. The agency said it 
follows the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
 and provides appropriate treatment for COVID-19.

“For safety, 
security, and privacy reasons, we do not discuss the conditions of 
confinement for any individual or group of inmates,” spokesman Scott 
Walker said in an email. “Additionally, for privacy reasons, we do not 
share personal information about staff.”

An inmate at Leavenworth 
tested positive for COVID-19 on Sept. 1, Walker said. Previously, only 
five inmates had tested positive. As of Monday, eight inmates and five 
staff members had recovered, and no one has died.

“Per CDC 
guidance, a contact tracing investigation is conducted for each positive
 case,” Walker said. “While in general population, any inmate displaying
 symptoms for COVID-19 will be tested and placed in isolation.”

Most inmates who test positive are asymptomatic, Walker said, while inmates with severe symptoms are sent to the hospital.

The
 Leavenworth federal prison is in the same county as the Lansing 
Correctional Facility, a state prison that saw about half of its 
population come down with COVID-19 earlier this year. Overall, five 
inmates in Kansas-run prisons <a href="https://www.doc.ks.gov/kdoc-coronavirus-updates/kdoc-covid-19-status" target="_blank">have died</a> from the virus, as well as three <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-05-14/kansas-prison-workers-want-more-covid-19-protection-after-2-guards-and-3-inmates-die" target="_blank">staff members</a>.

Randy
 Dyke, who is incarcerated at the Leavenworth federal prison, said not 
all staff members or inmates follow the rules when it comes to wearing 
masks. Family members of other inmates backed that up.

“We do wear
 masks, except in the dorms. As for the staff, most do wear masks. 
However, we have some who totally refuse to do so, putting us all at 
risk,” said Dyke, who is serving a sentence in the minimum-security 
satellite camp at Leavenworth. He spoke to the Kansas News Service 
through email.

Walker did not answer a question about whether 
there are staff members at Leavenworth who do not wear masks, but said 
that “all staff and inmates have been issued facial coverings and are 
required to wear them when social distancing is not available per CDC 
guidelines.”

Laundry machines at the prison don’t have water hot 
enough to wash the cloth masks issued by the prison, Dyke said. Many 
people wash their masks by hand, and don’t have access to bleach to 
sanitize them. He said the prison first gave out disposable masks, then 
gave three cloth masks to inmates and replaced those two months later.

“Most
 of the wash machines here are hooked up to cold water and are worn out 
and do not function correctly,” Dyke said, “so the clothes are not 
getting as clean as they should.”

Walker responded in his email 
that inmates regularly receive replacement masks and that prison laundry
 facilities use enough bleach, detergent and hot water to wash clothing 
adequately.

Since 
March, inmates across the federal prison system have had their movement 
restricted to prevent the spread of the virus. Social distancing in 
prison is basically impossible, Dyke said.

In the dorms at the 
minimum-security camp, Dyke said, some people sleep in bunks less than 
four feet apart. He shares a dorm with about 25 other men.

“It is just overcrowded here,” he said.

Before
 the full lockdown began in early September, inmates in the 
medium-security section of the prison couldn’t leave their cells except 
for one to two hours a day, according to family members of inmates.

Karch,
 whose boyfriend is in the medium-security unit, said he sometimes had 
to choose between showering and making a phone call, because the lines 
were so long.

Another woman whose husband also is in the 
medium-security unit said the long lines resulted in dozens of inmates 
standing too close to allow for proper social distancing. She spoke with
 the Kansas News Service on the condition of anonymity because she was 
afraid prison staff would retaliate against her husband.

“When it 
was time to use the phones, my husband said they were packed in there 
like sardines,” she said. “Basically shoulder to shoulder.”

Her 
husband, who is nearly 70, rarely seeks medical care because the prison 
doesn’t provide treatment for illnesses. She said inmates are instead 
told to buy over-the-counter medication from the prison commissary.

The conditions make the inmates uneasy about their physical health and safety during the pandemic, the woman said.

“These guys don’t know if they could wake up tomorrow and be really sick,” she said.

Since
 cases began to rise in the past two weeks, the woman and other people 
said that the lockdown had been extended to 24 hours a day and that they
 had not been able to contact their family members.

“Recently, the medium-security facility was temporarily secured with no movement occurring,”

The added worry of having a family member in Leavenworth has made the pandemic even more stressful for those on the outside.

Jammie
 Rothchild, Dyke’s daughter, says she worries about her father, who is 
60 years old and at higher risk of dying from COVID-19 due to his age.

“It sucks,” Rothchild said. “Our hands are tied. There’s nothing we can do.”

Nomin
 Ujiyediin reports on criminal justice and social welfare for the Kansas
 News Service. You can email her at nomin@kcur.org and follow
 her on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/nominuj" target="_blank">@NominUJ</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600183865325.png" alt="The federal prison in Leavenworth houses about 1,600 inmates in a medium-security facility and minimum-security camp. Nomin Ujiyediin / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>The federal prison in Leavenworth houses about 1,600 inmates in a medium-security facility and minimum-security camp. Nomin Ujiyediin / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>By NOMIN UJIYEDIIN, <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-09-14/leavenworth-leads-federal-prisons-in-covid-19-cases-and-inmates-families-are-worried">Kansas News Service</a>LAWRENCE — For months, the U.S. Penitentiary at Leavenworth avoided the worst of the coronavirus pandemic. But that’s changed.Leavenworth has the highest number of <a href="https://www.bop.gov/coronavirus/" target="_blank">COVID-19 cases in the entire federal prison system</a>, with 206 inmates and five staff members with the virus. There are currently 1,594 people incarcerated at the prison.Family
 members of Leavenworth inmates say that, like in other federal and 
state prisons, their loved ones are living in close quarters with other 
inmates and prison employees, not all of whom wear masks. The families 
allege medical staff can be inattentive and that inmates have no choice 
but to congregate closely around phones and showers because of the 
months-long restrictions on leaving their dorms or cells.Amanda Karch is even worried about her boyfriend’s mental health.“He says he’s depressed. He’s anxious,” she said. “He’s just unsure. He doesn’t know what’s going to happen.”The
 federal Bureau of Prisons declined multiple requests for interviews, 
but emailed a statement in response to questions. The agency said it 
follows the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
 and provides appropriate treatment for COVID-19.“For safety, 
security, and privacy reasons, we do not discuss the conditions of 
confinement for any individual or group of inmates,” spokesman Scott 
Walker said in an email. “Additionally, for privacy reasons, we do not 
share personal information about staff.”An inmate at Leavenworth 
tested positive for COVID-19 on Sept. 1, Walker said. Previously, only 
five inmates had tested positive. As of Monday, eight inmates and five 
staff members had recovered, and no one has died.“Per CDC 
guidance, a contact tracing investigation is conducted for each positive
 case,” Walker said. “While in general population, any inmate displaying
 symptoms for COVID-19 will be tested and placed in isolation.”Most inmates who test positive are asymptomatic, Walker said, while inmates with severe symptoms are sent to the hospital.The
 Leavenworth federal prison is in the same county as the Lansing 
Correctional Facility, a state prison that saw about half of its 
population come down with COVID-19 earlier this year. Overall, five 
inmates in Kansas-run prisons <a href="https://www.doc.ks.gov/kdoc-coronavirus-updates/kdoc-covid-19-status" target="_blank">have died</a> from the virus, as well as three <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-05-14/kansas-prison-workers-want-more-covid-19-protection-after-2-guards-and-3-inmates-die" target="_blank">staff members</a>.<h2>Masks and sanitation</h2>Randy
 Dyke, who is incarcerated at the Leavenworth federal prison, said not 
all staff members or inmates follow the rules when it comes to wearing 
masks. Family members of other inmates backed that up.“We do wear
 masks, except in the dorms. As for the staff, most do wear masks. 
However, we have some who totally refuse to do so, putting us all at 
risk,” said Dyke, who is serving a sentence in the minimum-security 
satellite camp at Leavenworth. He spoke to the Kansas News Service 
through email.Walker did not answer a question about whether 
there are staff members at Leavenworth who do not wear masks, but said 
that “all staff and inmates have been issued facial coverings and are 
required to wear them when social distancing is not available per CDC 
guidelines.”Laundry machines at the prison don’t have water hot 
enough to wash the cloth masks issued by the prison, Dyke said. Many 
people wash their masks by hand, and don’t have access to bleach to 
sanitize them. He said the prison first gave out disposable masks, then 
gave three cloth masks to inmates and replaced those two months later.“Most
 of the wash machines here are hooked up to cold water and are worn out 
and do not function correctly,” Dyke said, “so the clothes are not 
getting as clean as they should.”Walker responded in his email 
that inmates regularly receive replacement masks and that prison laundry
 facilities use enough bleach, detergent and hot water to wash clothing 
adequately.<h2>On lockdown</h2>Since 
March, inmates across the federal prison system have had their movement 
restricted to prevent the spread of the virus. Social distancing in 
prison is basically impossible, Dyke said.In the dorms at the 
minimum-security camp, Dyke said, some people sleep in bunks less than 
four feet apart. He shares a dorm with about 25 other men.“It is just overcrowded here,” he said.Before
 the full lockdown began in early September, inmates in the 
medium-security section of the prison couldn’t leave their cells except 
for one to two hours a day, according to family members of inmates.Karch,
 whose boyfriend is in the medium-security unit, said he sometimes had 
to choose between showering and making a phone call, because the lines 
were so long.Another woman whose husband also is in the 
medium-security unit said the long lines resulted in dozens of inmates 
standing too close to allow for proper social distancing. She spoke with
 the Kansas News Service on the condition of anonymity because she was 
afraid prison staff would retaliate against her husband.“When it 
was time to use the phones, my husband said they were packed in there 
like sardines,” she said. “Basically shoulder to shoulder.”Her 
husband, who is nearly 70, rarely seeks medical care because the prison 
doesn’t provide treatment for illnesses. She said inmates are instead 
told to buy over-the-counter medication from the prison commissary.The conditions make the inmates uneasy about their physical health and safety during the pandemic, the woman said.“These guys don’t know if they could wake up tomorrow and be really sick,” she said.Since
 cases began to rise in the past two weeks, the woman and other people 
said that the lockdown had been extended to 24 hours a day and that they
 had not been able to contact their family members.“Recently, the medium-security facility was temporarily secured with no movement occurring,”Walker confirmed in an email.The added worry of having a family member in Leavenworth has made the pandemic even more stressful for those on the outside.Jammie
 Rothchild, Dyke’s daughter, says she worries about her father, who is 
60 years old and at higher risk of dying from COVID-19 due to his age.“It sucks,” Rothchild said. “Our hands are tied. There’s nothing we can do.”Nomin
 Ujiyediin reports on criminal justice and social welfare for the Kansas
 News Service. You can email her at nomin@kcur.org and follow
 her on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/nominuj" target="_blank">@NominUJ</a>.

Leavenworth tops all federal prisons in COVID-19 cases

Two COVID19-positive patients associated with the outbreak at Homestead Assisted Living in Manhattan, died over the weekend. Of the two most recent deaths, one patient was being cared for at Ascension Via Christi hospital in Manhattan and the second patient was being cared for at Stormont Vail in Topeka. A total of eight&nbsp;COVID19-positive&nbsp;Riley County residents have died since the pandemic began.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“All of our lives have been changed by this disease,” said Local Health Officer Julie Gibbs. “Losing loved ones, and sometimes not being able to visit them in their final moments, is truly heartbreaking. I am so sorry for all of the loss people have experienced. We will continue to work to keep our community safe and healthy, and we need your help to do that. Please stay home if you are sick, share information with contact tracing staff if they call, and follow safety guidelines from the CDC.”

Riley County has 43 new positive cases and no additional recoveries since Friday’s report. Case counts are preliminary and subject to change with further verification. Information from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, via the EpiTrax system, has been delayed and will be reported as soon as it is available.&nbsp;Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan is caring for 1 positive patient at this time. The patient has symptoms severe enough to require hospitalization.

&nbsp;EOC Command Staff were present to observe several large events in Riley County over the weekend, including the K-State football game. Feedback from command staff indicates that safety plans for each event were well-executed.&nbsp;“Event staff communicated effectively and enforced requirements at the large events,” said Riley County Emergency Medical Services Director David Adams, who was on duty at the K-State football game.&nbsp; “The people in attendance were generally observed to be in compliance with safety regulations.”&nbsp;The only complaints sent to the Riley County Health Department related to the student section of the Bill Snyder Family stadium, which on-camera appeared to be overcrowded. EOC staff inspected the student section during the game, and found at least two empty rows between each row of students.

The seating arrangement was consistent with the 25% capacity requirement for each section.&nbsp;“At the K-State football game, there was no tailgating, masks were worn throughout the stadium, and event staff did everything they were supposed to do to uphold the requirements for their special event permit,” said Adams.&nbsp;Local Health Order No. 18 requires a special event permit for any public or private event with more than 50 people. Permits are required for both indoor and outdoor events, and strict safety measures must be in place for an event to be approved.&nbsp;Businesses under normal operations must follow social distancing and/or barrier installation and other requirements in Order 18 and are exempt from the&nbsp;special event permit requirement, unless they plan to host a special event.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

To apply for a special event permit, please submit the online form at least 14 days in advance of the event. Find a link to the form on the Riley County Coronavirus website at&nbsp;<a href="https://gmail.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=95221c46aac4689e49a7c0bfc&amp;id=dcb956577b&amp;e=fd06d17886" target="_blank">rileycountyks.gov/coronavirus</a>.&nbsp;Test results for the free testing events held last week in Riley County are starting to come in. Contact tracing staff are making phone calls to participants as soon as information is available. Roughly 100 of the 567 test results have been received. Only 1 patient out of that first group of 100 results has been positive.&nbsp;&nbsp;Anyone who has symptoms, is a close contact of a positive patient, or would like information about how to get tested should contact their health care provider or call the Riley County Screening Line at 785-323-6400. The Screening Line is staffed by nurses and is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.&nbsp;Riley County Statistics for Monday, September 14, 2020:

&nbsp;For more information about Riley County’s response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, visit the Riley County website at&nbsp;<a href="https://gmail.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=95221c46aac4689e49a7c0bfc&amp;id=12b02871f5&amp;e=fd06d17886" target="_blank">www.rileycountyks.gov/coronavirus</a>, follow RCHD on Facebook at&nbsp;<a href="https://gmail.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=95221c46aac4689e49a7c0bfc&amp;id=8809c81284&amp;e=fd06d17886" target="_blank">/Rileycountyhealthdepartment/</a>&nbsp;and Twitter @

Two COVID19-positive patients associated with the outbreak at Homestead Assisted Living in Manhattan, died over the weekend. Of the two most recent deaths, one patient was being cared for at Ascension Via Christi hospital in Manhattan and the second patient was being cared for at Stormont Vail in Topeka. A total of eight&nbsp;COVID19-positive&nbsp;Riley County residents have died since the pandemic began.&nbsp;&nbsp;“All of our lives have been changed by this disease,” said Local Health Officer Julie Gibbs. “Losing loved ones, and sometimes not being able to visit them in their final moments, is truly heartbreaking. I am so sorry for all of the loss people have experienced. We will continue to work to keep our community safe and healthy, and we need your help to do that. Please stay home if you are sick, share information with contact tracing staff if they call, and follow safety guidelines from the CDC.”Riley County has 43 new positive cases and no additional recoveries since Friday’s report. Case counts are preliminary and subject to change with further verification. Information from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, via the EpiTrax system, has been delayed and will be reported as soon as it is available.&nbsp;Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan is caring for 1 positive patient at this time. The patient has symptoms severe enough to require hospitalization.&nbsp;EOC Command Staff were present to observe several large events in Riley County over the weekend, including the K-State football game. Feedback from command staff indicates that safety plans for each event were well-executed.&nbsp;“Event staff communicated effectively and enforced requirements at the large events,” said Riley County Emergency Medical Services Director David Adams, who was on duty at the K-State football game.&nbsp; “The people in attendance were generally observed to be in compliance with safety regulations.”&nbsp;The only complaints sent to the Riley County Health Department related to the student section of the Bill Snyder Family stadium, which on-camera appeared to be overcrowded. EOC staff inspected the student section during the game, and found at least two empty rows between each row of students.The seating arrangement was consistent with the 25% capacity requirement for each section.&nbsp;“At the K-State football game, there was no tailgating, masks were worn throughout the stadium, and event staff did everything they were supposed to do to uphold the requirements for their special event permit,” said Adams.&nbsp;Local Health Order No. 18 requires a special event permit for any public or private event with more than 50 people. Permits are required for both indoor and outdoor events, and strict safety measures must be in place for an event to be approved.&nbsp;Businesses under normal operations must follow social distancing and/or barrier installation and other requirements in Order 18 and are exempt from the&nbsp;special event permit requirement, unless they plan to host a special event.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;To apply for a special event permit, please submit the online form at least 14 days in advance of the event. Find a link to the form on the Riley County Coronavirus website at&nbsp;<a href="https://gmail.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=95221c46aac4689e49a7c0bfc&amp;id=dcb956577b&amp;e=fd06d17886" target="_blank">rileycountyks.gov/coronavirus</a>.&nbsp;Test results for the free testing events held last week in Riley County are starting to come in. Contact tracing staff are making phone calls to participants as soon as information is available. Roughly 100 of the 567 test results have been received. Only 1 patient out of that first group of 100 results has been positive.&nbsp;&nbsp;Anyone who has symptoms, is a close contact of a positive patient, or would like information about how to get tested should contact their health care provider or call the Riley County Screening Line at 785-323-6400. The Screening Line is staffed by nurses and is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.&nbsp;Riley County Statistics for Monday, September 14, 2020:<ol>
 <li>Total positive cases in Riley County Residents: 1,390</li><li>Total active: 663</li><li>Total recovered: 719</li><li>Total deaths: 8</li><li>Pending test results: 1,054</li><li>Negative test results: 8,025</li>
 </ol>&nbsp;For more information about Riley County’s response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, visit the Riley County website at&nbsp;<a href="https://gmail.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=95221c46aac4689e49a7c0bfc&amp;id=12b02871f5&amp;e=fd06d17886" target="_blank">www.rileycountyks.gov/coronavirus</a>, follow RCHD on Facebook at&nbsp;<a href="https://gmail.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=95221c46aac4689e49a7c0bfc&amp;id=8809c81284&amp;e=fd06d17886" target="_blank">/Rileycountyhealthdepartment/</a>&nbsp;and Twitter @

Riley County health releases a COVID19 update

There were&nbsp; three new positive COVID-19 cases on Monday in Geary County but the Health Department reported 21 recovered cases. So far there have been 256 positive cases and 247 recoveries.

There are seven active cases in the county, down 18 from Friday. One person is hospitalized and there have been two deaths since the pandemic began.

There were&nbsp; three new positive COVID-19 cases on Monday in Geary County but the Health Department reported 21 recovered cases. So far there have been 256 positive cases and 247 recoveries.There are seven active cases in the county, down 18 from Friday. One person is hospitalized and there have been two deaths since the pandemic began.

Total positive COVID-19 case numbers are decreasing in Geary County

VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Vatican said Saturday it was “necessary and urgent” to return to in-person Masses as soon as anti-coronavirus measures permit.

The head of the Vatican’s liturgy office, Cardinal Robert Sarah, said in a letter to bishops conferences that virtual liturgies, while useful, were no replacement for the real thing. He said physical presence by the faithful in churches was “vital, indispensable, irreplaceable.”

While some Catholic priests claimed coronavirus lockdowns that shuttered churches infringed on religious liberties, Pope Francis has adhered to Italy’s strict lockdown.

He halted all public Masses at the Vatican, livestreamed his morning liturgies during the peak of Italy’s outbreak, and at one point even admonished priests who balked at the measures for their “adolescent resistance.”

The Vatican said Saturday that Francis had approved Sarah’s letter to bishops conferences, which makes clear that government authorities cannot dictate liturgical practices.

Francis had urged the Catholic faithful to obey anti-COVID measures, saying government authorities were responsible for public health. He was seen this week wearing a face mask for the first time, and has been using hand sanitizer.

In recent weeks Francis has resumed public gatherings and has celebrated a handful of public Masses before limited, socially distanced groups.

VATICAN CITY (AP) — The Vatican said Saturday it was “necessary and urgent” to return to in-person Masses as soon as anti-coronavirus measures permit.The head of the Vatican’s liturgy office, Cardinal Robert Sarah, said in a letter to bishops conferences that virtual liturgies, while useful, were no replacement for the real thing. He said physical presence by the faithful in churches was “vital, indispensable, irreplaceable.”While some Catholic priests claimed coronavirus lockdowns that shuttered churches infringed on religious liberties, Pope Francis has adhered to Italy’s strict lockdown.He halted all public Masses at the Vatican, livestreamed his morning liturgies during the peak of Italy’s outbreak, and at one point even admonished priests who balked at the measures for their “adolescent resistance.”The Vatican said Saturday that Francis had approved Sarah’s letter to bishops conferences, which makes clear that government authorities cannot dictate liturgical practices.Francis had urged the Catholic faithful to obey anti-COVID measures, saying government authorities were responsible for public health. He was seen this week wearing a face mask for the first time, and has been using hand sanitizer.In recent weeks Francis has resumed public gatherings and has celebrated a handful of public Masses before limited, socially distanced groups.___

Vatican urges return to in-person Mass as soon as possible

K-State provost Dr. Charles Taber has announced an adjustment to the spring 2021 academic calendar at&nbsp; the university. It was presented by the university calendar committee and approved by Faculty Senate.&nbsp;

The spring 2021 academic calendar will begin one week later on Jan. 25 and ends with previously scheduled commencement exercises on May 14-15.

According to a K-State Today report the altered spring schedule eliminates spring break.&nbsp;

Taber said K-State is making the adjustments to the spring 2021 academic calendar to reduce the risks related to the coronavirus pandemic by minimizing mass travel to and from the K-State campuses during the spring semester.

The spring semester is being planned as a residential semester similar to the fall semester with a focus on de-densification and offering multiple instructional modes. Course information, including whether a course will be in person, online or blended / hybrid will be posted in KSIS by Sept. 28. Course modalities will be finalized on Oct. 5. KSIS is where news about K-State's Student Information System is posted.

K-State provost Dr. Charles Taber has announced an adjustment to the spring 2021 academic calendar at&nbsp; the university. It was presented by the university calendar committee and approved by Faculty Senate.&nbsp;The spring 2021 academic calendar will begin one week later on Jan. 25 and ends with previously scheduled commencement exercises on May 14-15.According to a K-State Today report the altered spring schedule eliminates spring break.&nbsp;Taber said K-State is making the adjustments to the spring 2021 academic calendar to reduce the risks related to the coronavirus pandemic by minimizing mass travel to and from the K-State campuses during the spring semester.The spring semester is being planned as a residential semester similar to the fall semester with a focus on de-densification and offering multiple instructional modes. Course information, including whether a course will be in person, online or blended / hybrid will be posted in KSIS by Sept. 28. Course modalities will be finalized on Oct. 5. KSIS is where news about K-State's Student Information System is posted.

K-State cancels spring break

There was one new COVID-19 case reported in Geary County on Friday and four recovered cases. One person is hospitalized.

There are currently 25 active cases in the county.

There was one new COVID-19 case reported in Geary County on Friday and four recovered cases. One person is hospitalized.There are currently 25 active cases in the county.

COVID-19 update release by the Geary County Health Department

The Big 12 has secured access to COVID-19 antigen testing that produces rapid results and will be used the day before competition on players, coaches and staff. The conference announced a partnership with Virtual Care for Families. 

The testing program will use Quidel Rapid Antigen tests. The Pac-12 recently announced a partnership with Quidel that will provide its schools with the capacity to test daily and get results in about 15 minutes. The Big 12 said it expects the Quidel test to provide results that quickly.

The Big 12 has secured access to COVID-19 antigen testing that produces rapid results and will be used the day before competition on players, coaches and staff. The conference announced a partnership with Virtual Care for Families. The testing program will use Quidel Rapid Antigen tests. The Pac-12 recently announced a partnership with Quidel that will provide its schools with the capacity to test daily and get results in about 15 minutes. The Big 12 said it expects the Quidel test to provide results that quickly.

Big 12 to implement rapid COVID-19 tests day before games

Geary County health officials reported two new positive cases of COVID-19 on Thursday. There was one recovered patient.

There are 28 active cases in the county and one person is hospitalized.

Geary County health officials reported two new positive cases of COVID-19 on Thursday. There was one recovered patient.There are 28 active cases in the county and one person is hospitalized.

Two new positive cases are reported

(JUNCTION CITY, KS – September 10, 2020) Konza currently has one staff member in isolation due to testing positive for COVID-19. It is thought the employee contracted the virus outside the clinic. To date, there have been six staff members test positive, the rest of whom have recovered. 

Konza will continue to work with KDHE and local public health officials to identify and contact patients who may have been in contact with the current case while they were potentially infectious. Close contacts should monitor for new signs and symptoms. Konza remains committed to both patient and staff safety and is taking every precautionary measure to safely provide access to healthcare services.&nbsp;

(JUNCTION CITY, KS – September 10, 2020) Konza currently has one staff member in isolation due to testing positive for COVID-19. It is thought the employee contracted the virus outside the clinic. To date, there have been six staff members test positive, the rest of whom have recovered. Konza will continue to work with KDHE and local public health officials to identify and contact patients who may have been in contact with the current case while they were potentially infectious. Close contacts should monitor for new signs and symptoms. Konza remains committed to both patient and staff safety and is taking every precautionary measure to safely provide access to healthcare services.&nbsp;.&nbsp;

Konza staff member tests positive for coronavirus

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A football-starved nation is getting its games back with the start of the NFL season, but many worry that attending games or get-togethers will lead to a new surge in coronavirus infections. NFL football will kick off Thursday in Kansas City at a stadium that's allowing 17,000 fans inside. 

Those spectators may be able to physically distance in the stands, but whether they're able to do so at concessions or in bathrooms is a different story. Experts fear more outbreaks as the virus has started to slow its spread.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A football-starved nation is getting its games back with the start of the NFL season, but many worry that attending games or get-togethers will lead to a new surge in coronavirus infections. NFL football will kick off Thursday in Kansas City at a stadium that's allowing 17,000 fans inside. Those spectators may be able to physically distance in the stands, but whether they're able to do so at concessions or in bathrooms is a different story. Experts fear more outbreaks as the virus has started to slow its spread.

Concerns about COVID-19 surges with the return of football

TOPEKA, Kansas –&nbsp;A Larned Correctional Facility resident who died Monday, September 7 had tested positive for COVID-19. This is the fifth resident death related to COVID-19, according to a media release from the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.

Junior Lee Chrismon, 68, tested positive for the virus on August 15 and was transferred to the hospital the same day. Chrismon had underlying medical concerns that contributed to his condition.&nbsp;The official manner of death for all COVID-19 deaths is natural causes.

Chrismon was serving a 52-month sentence for drug-related charges. He had been imprisoned with the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) since May 2019.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599748017069.png" alt="Chrismon-photo KDOC" />
 <figcaption>Chrismon-photo KDOC</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kansas –&nbsp;A Larned Correctional Facility resident who died Monday, September 7 had tested positive for COVID-19. This is the fifth resident death related to COVID-19, according to a media release from the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.Junior Lee Chrismon, 68, tested positive for the virus on August 15 and was transferred to the hospital the same day. Chrismon had underlying medical concerns that contributed to his condition.&nbsp;The official manner of death for all COVID-19 deaths is natural causes.Chrismon was serving a 52-month sentence for drug-related charges. He had been imprisoned with the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) since May 2019.

5th Kansas prison inmate dies; tested positive for COVID-19

Topeka —Kansas Department of Health Secretary Lee Norman, M.D. provided an update on clusters, testing and more during a Wednesday press conference.

On Wednesday afternoon, the state reported less than 500 new virus cases in Kansas since Monday and ten new deaths.

Norman said that due to the Labor Day holiday weekend, the KDHE had received few reports from county health departments and labs. "The numbers are running a little bit behind and are low."

When asked about giving a letter grade to the state on the response to the virus Norman said there are two groups. "One group gets a B+ and the other group gets a D. Some take the virus seriously and other say it's a bunch of hogwash. I think there will be very few naysayers eventually.&nbsp; There is going to be enough disease burden that everyone will be touched in some way by this(the virus).&nbsp;

Topeka —Kansas Department of Health Secretary Lee Norman, M.D. provided an update on clusters, testing and more during a Wednesday press conference.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FKDHEnews%2Fvideos%2F674403709835994%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe>OnO</div>On Wednesday afternoon, the state reported less than 500 new virus cases in Kansas since Monday and ten new deaths.Norman said that due to the Labor Day holiday weekend, the KDHE had received few reports from county health departments and labs. "The numbers are running a little bit behind and are low."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599671229159.png" alt="Wednesday Sept. 9, 2020 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Wednesday Sept. 9, 2020 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>When asked about giving a letter grade to the state on the response to the virus Norman said there are two groups. "One group gets a B+ and the other group gets a D. Some take the virus seriously and other say it's a bunch of hogwash. I think there will be very few naysayers eventually.&nbsp; There is going to be enough disease burden that everyone will be touched in some way by this(the virus).&nbsp;

🎥 Dr. Norman on new virus report with less than 500 new cases

Geary County health officials provided COVID-19 numbers on Wednesday showing that the county had two new positive cases, but 12 recovered cases. There are now 27 active cases in the county and one person hospitalized.

Geary County health officials provided COVID-19 numbers on Wednesday showing that the county had two new positive cases, but 12 recovered cases. There are now 27 active cases in the county and one person hospitalized.

COVID-19 report issued for Wednesday

Late-stage studies of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate are on temporary hold while the company investigates whether a recipient’s “potentially unexplained” illness is a side effect of the shot.

In a statement issued Tuesday evening, the company said its “standard review process triggered a pause to vaccination to allow review of safety data.”

AstraZeneca didn’t reveal any information about the possible side effect except to call it “a potentially unexplained illness.” The health news site STAT first reported the pause in testing, saying the possible side effect occurred in the United Kingdom.

An AstraZeneca spokesperson confirmed the pause in vaccinations covers studies in the U.S. and other countries. Late last month, AstraZeneca began recruiting 30,000 people in the U.S. for its largest study of the vaccine. It also is testing the vaccine, developed by Oxford University, in thousands of people in Britain, and in smaller studies in Brazil and South Africa.

Two other vaccines are in huge, final-stage tests in the United States, one made by Moderna Inc. and the other by Pfizer and Germany’s BioNTech. Those two vaccines work differently than AstraZeneca’s, and the studies already have recruited about two-thirds of the needed volunteers.

Temporary holds of large medical studies aren’t unusual, and investigating any serious or unexpected reaction is a mandatory part of safety testing. AstraZeneca pointed out that it’s possible the problem could be a coincidence; illnesses of all sorts could arise in studies of thousands of people.

“We are working to expedite the review of the single event to minimize any potential impact on the trial timeline,” the company statement said.

It’s likely the unexplained illness was serious enough to require hospitalization and not a mild side effect such as fever or muscle pain, said Deborah Fuller, a University of Washington researcher who is working on a different COVID-19 vaccine that has not yet started human testing.

“This is not something to be alarmed about,” Fuller said. Instead, it’s reassuring that the company is pausing the study to figure out what’s happening and carefully monitoring the health of study participants.

Dr. Ashish Jha of Brown University said via Twitter that the significance of the interruption was unclear but that he was “still optimistic” that an effective vaccine will be found in the coming months.

“But optimism isn’t evidence,” he wrote. “Let’s let science drive this process.”

Angela Rasmussen, a virologist at Columbia University in New York, tweeted that the illness may be unrelated to the vaccine, “but the important part is that this is why we do trials before rolling out a vaccine to the general public.”

During the third and final stage of testing, researchers look for any signs of possible side effects that may have gone undetected in earlier patient research. Because of their large size, the studies are considered the most important study phase for picking up less common side effects and establishing safety.

The trials also assess effectiveness by tracking who gets sick and who doesn’t between patients getting the vaccine and those receiving a dummy shot.

The development came&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/91f3c0d94fd9e9bcb645110c7d2e05a0">the same day</a>&nbsp;that AstraZeneca and eight other drugmakers issued an unusual pledge, vowing to uphold the highest ethical and scientific standards in developing their vaccines.

The announcement follows worries that President Donald Trump will pressure the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to approve a vaccine before it’s proven to be safe and effective.

The U.S. has invested billions of dollars in efforts to quickly develop multiple vaccines against COVID-19. But public fears that a vaccine is unsafe or ineffective could be disastrous, derailing the effort to vaccinate millions of Americans.

Representatives for the FDA did not immediately respond to requests for comment Tuesday evening.

AstraZeneca’s U.S.-traded shares fell more than 6% in after-hours trading following reports of the trial being paused.

By LAURAN NEERGAARD, Associated PressLate-stage studies of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate are on temporary hold while the company investigates whether a recipient’s “potentially unexplained” illness is a side effect of the shot.In a statement issued Tuesday evening, the company said its “standard review process triggered a pause to vaccination to allow review of safety data.”AstraZeneca didn’t reveal any information about the possible side effect except to call it “a potentially unexplained illness.” The health news site STAT first reported the pause in testing, saying the possible side effect occurred in the United Kingdom.An AstraZeneca spokesperson confirmed the pause in vaccinations covers studies in the U.S. and other countries. Late last month, AstraZeneca began recruiting 30,000 people in the U.S. for its largest study of the vaccine. It also is testing the vaccine, developed by Oxford University, in thousands of people in Britain, and in smaller studies in Brazil and South Africa.Two other vaccines are in huge, final-stage tests in the United States, one made by Moderna Inc. and the other by Pfizer and Germany’s BioNTech. Those two vaccines work differently than AstraZeneca’s, and the studies already have recruited about two-thirds of the needed volunteers.Temporary holds of large medical studies aren’t unusual, and investigating any serious or unexpected reaction is a mandatory part of safety testing. AstraZeneca pointed out that it’s possible the problem could be a coincidence; illnesses of all sorts could arise in studies of thousands of people.“We are working to expedite the review of the single event to minimize any potential impact on the trial timeline,” the company statement said.It’s likely the unexplained illness was serious enough to require hospitalization and not a mild side effect such as fever or muscle pain, said Deborah Fuller, a University of Washington researcher who is working on a different COVID-19 vaccine that has not yet started human testing.“This is not something to be alarmed about,” Fuller said. Instead, it’s reassuring that the company is pausing the study to figure out what’s happening and carefully monitoring the health of study participants.Dr. Ashish Jha of Brown University said via Twitter that the significance of the interruption was unclear but that he was “still optimistic” that an effective vaccine will be found in the coming months.“But optimism isn’t evidence,” he wrote. “Let’s let science drive this process.”Angela Rasmussen, a virologist at Columbia University in New York, tweeted that the illness may be unrelated to the vaccine, “but the important part is that this is why we do trials before rolling out a vaccine to the general public.”During the third and final stage of testing, researchers look for any signs of possible side effects that may have gone undetected in earlier patient research. Because of their large size, the studies are considered the most important study phase for picking up less common side effects and establishing safety.The trials also assess effectiveness by tracking who gets sick and who doesn’t between patients getting the vaccine and those receiving a dummy shot.The development came&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/91f3c0d94fd9e9bcb645110c7d2e05a0">the same day</a>&nbsp;that AstraZeneca and eight other drugmakers issued an unusual pledge, vowing to uphold the highest ethical and scientific standards in developing their vaccines.The announcement follows worries that President Donald Trump will pressure the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to approve a vaccine before it’s proven to be safe and effective.The U.S. has invested billions of dollars in efforts to quickly develop multiple vaccines against COVID-19. But public fears that a vaccine is unsafe or ineffective could be disastrous, derailing the effort to vaccinate millions of Americans.Representatives for the FDA did not immediately respond to requests for comment Tuesday evening.AstraZeneca’s U.S.-traded shares fell more than 6% in after-hours trading following reports of the trial being paused.___

Late stage COVID-19 vaccine study paused after illness

There were nine new cases but 20 patients recovered from COVID-19 between Friday and Tuesday in Geary County. According to the Health Department there are 37 active cases. One person is hospitalized.

There were nine new cases but 20 patients recovered from COVID-19 between Friday and Tuesday in Geary County. According to the Health Department there are 37 active cases. One person is hospitalized.

COVID-19 update provided for Geary County

Geary County health officials issued a release Tuesday afternoon stating that the Health Department has identified 16 COVID-19 cases linked to Iglesia Casa de Restauracion Church in Junction City.

Anyone who attended the Church between Saturday, Aug. 29&nbsp; through Sunday, Sept. 6 is at risk. Attendees should self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days from the date of attendance, according to Deputy Health Director Charles Martinez.

Individuals are recommended to contact their primary healthcare provider if they develop any of the following symptoms: Fever of 100.4 F or higher, chills, rigors, myalgia ( muscle pain or aches ), malaise, headache, sore throat, lower respiratory illness ( cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing ), new olfactory and taste disorders, diarrhea, congestion or runny nose and nausea or vomiting.

Human coronaviruses, such as COVID-19, are most commonly spread through coughing, sneezing, personal contact like shaking hands, and touching a surface with the virus and then toughing your eyes, nose or mouth.&nbsp;

There are steps everyone can take to help prevent spreading the virus. They include washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Avoid touch your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands, avoid close contact with people who are sick, stay home when you are sick and only leave home for essential items and clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Geary County health officials issued a release Tuesday afternoon stating that the Health Department has identified 16 COVID-19 cases linked to Iglesia Casa de Restauracion Church in Junction City.Anyone who attended the Church between Saturday, Aug. 29&nbsp; through Sunday, Sept. 6 is at risk. Attendees should self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days from the date of attendance, according to Deputy Health Director Charles Martinez.Individuals are recommended to contact their primary healthcare provider if they develop any of the following symptoms: Fever of 100.4 F or higher, chills, rigors, myalgia ( muscle pain or aches ), malaise, headache, sore throat, lower respiratory illness ( cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing ), new olfactory and taste disorders, diarrhea, congestion or runny nose and nausea or vomiting.Human coronaviruses, such as COVID-19, are most commonly spread through coughing, sneezing, personal contact like shaking hands, and touching a surface with the virus and then toughing your eyes, nose or mouth.&nbsp;There are steps everyone can take to help prevent spreading the virus. They include washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Avoid touch your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands, avoid close contact with people who are sick, stay home when you are sick and only leave home for essential items and clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Geary County Health Department identifies cases linked to one church

Riley County has 121 new positive cases and 72 recoveries since Friday’s report. A total of 95, or 79%, of the new cases are patients between the ages of 18-24.

Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan is caring for 4 positive patients at this time. The patients have symptoms severe enough to require hospitalization. One of the positive patients is on a ventilator.

Riley County Health Department said they're partnering with KDHE and the Kansas National Guard to provide free testing events in Riley County this week. Due to expected rain and wind, the September 9, 7-10 a.m. testing event in&nbsp;Manhattan will now take place at Pottorf Hall in CiCo Park instead of in the parking lot at&nbsp;Manhattan Town Center. Participants will&nbsp;drive through the barn north of Pottorf Hall to get swabbed and volunteers will place the donated food in the trunk of the car.&nbsp;Alternative sites for the other testing locations will be announced if changes are needed. Please check the Riley County Coronavirus website&nbsp;<a href="https://gmail.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=95221c46aac4689e49a7c0bfc&amp;id=827b7b3485&amp;e=fd06d17886" target="_blank">https://www.rileycountyks.gov/1857/Novel-Coronavirus-2019-nCoV</a>&nbsp;or the Riley County Health Department's Facebook page for updates.&nbsp;

Anyone who has symptoms, is a close contact of a positive patient, or would like information about how to get tested should contact their health care provider or call the Riley County Screening Line at 785-323-6400. The Screening Line is staffed by nurses and is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.15 Active Outbreaks in Riley County:Fraternities:

Riley County Statistics for Tuesday, September 8, 2020:

Riley County has 121 new positive cases and 72 recoveries since Friday’s report. A total of 95, or 79%, of the new cases are patients between the ages of 18-24.Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan is caring for 4 positive patients at this time. The patients have symptoms severe enough to require hospitalization. One of the positive patients is on a ventilator.Riley County Health Department said they're partnering with KDHE and the Kansas National Guard to provide free testing events in Riley County this week. Due to expected rain and wind, the September 9, 7-10 a.m. testing event in&nbsp;Manhattan will now take place at Pottorf Hall in CiCo Park instead of in the parking lot at&nbsp;Manhattan Town Center. Participants will&nbsp;drive through the barn north of Pottorf Hall to get swabbed and volunteers will place the donated food in the trunk of the car.&nbsp;Alternative sites for the other testing locations will be announced if changes are needed. Please check the Riley County Coronavirus website&nbsp;<a href="https://gmail.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=95221c46aac4689e49a7c0bfc&amp;id=827b7b3485&amp;e=fd06d17886" target="_blank">https://www.rileycountyks.gov/1857/Novel-Coronavirus-2019-nCoV</a>&nbsp;or the Riley County Health Department's Facebook page for updates.&nbsp;Anyone who has symptoms, is a close contact of a positive patient, or would like information about how to get tested should contact their health care provider or call the Riley County Screening Line at 785-323-6400. The Screening Line is staffed by nurses and is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.15 Active Outbreaks in Riley County:Fraternities:<ol>
 <li>Delta Sigma Phi: 20</li><li>Phi Delta Theta: 21</li><li>Sigma Alpha Epsilon: 5</li><li>Theta Xi: 10</li>
 </ol>Sororities:<ol>
 <li>Alpha Delta Pi: 12</li><li>Alpha Xi Delta: 7</li><li>Chi Omega: 6</li><li>Gamma Phi Beta: 5</li><li>Kappa Delta: 7</li><li>Kappa Kappa Gamma: 9</li><li>Pi Beta Phi: 5</li><li>Sigma Kappa: 6</li>
 </ol>Homestead Assisted Living: 9KSU Football: 12USD 384 BoE/Administration Building: 7Riley County Statistics for Tuesday, September 8, 2020:<ol>
 <li>Total positive cases in Riley County Residents: 1,295</li><li>Total active: 728</li><li>Total recovered: 561</li><li>Total deaths: 6</li><li>Pending test results: 183</li><li>Negative test results: 7,570</li><li>Average age: 26.8 years old</li><li>Gender: Female: 48.6% (630), Male 51.4% (665)</li>
 </ol>

Riley County has 121 new positive COVID-19 cases

Pottawatomie County officials have noted that September means back-to-school, autumn is arriving, and with that, flu season. Getting your flu vaccine annually is a good idea for most people, but may be even more important this year. 

The same ways to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 can be used to stop and/or slow the spread of most diseases, including Influenza. Wash your hands often, stay away from others – especially when you are sick, and wear a mask if you cannot maintain physical distancing.

Pottawatomie County officials have noted that September means back-to-school, autumn is arriving, and with that, flu season. Getting your flu vaccine annually is a good idea for most people, but may be even more important this year. The same ways to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 can be used to stop and/or slow the spread of most diseases, including Influenza. Wash your hands often, stay away from others – especially when you are sick, and wear a mask if you cannot maintain physical distancing.

Advice issued for getting a flu shot

Geary County health officials released information on Friday showing that there were five new positive cases of COVID-19, and five people had recovered from the virus. There are 48 active cases in the county. One person is hospitalized.

Since the pandemic began there have been 239 positive cases and 189 people have recovered.

Geary County health officials released information on Friday showing that there were five new positive cases of COVID-19, and five people had recovered from the virus. There are 48 active cases in the county. One person is hospitalized.Since the pandemic began there have been 239 positive cases and 189 people have recovered.

Local COVID-19 case update is provided

Riley County has 129 new positive cases and 42 recoveries since Wednesday’s report. A total of 113, or 88%, of the new positive patients are in the 18-24 age range.&nbsp; Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan is caring for 3 positive patients at this time. The patients have symptoms severe enough to require hospitalization. &nbsp; Two additional outbreaks have been declared in Riley County, one at Homestead Assisted Living Facility and the other at the Theta Xi fraternity. Residents and staff members at the assisted living facility have been tested and additional results are pending. One resident of the facility died in a Topeka hospital earlier this week after testing positive. The Homestead has been following guidelines issued by the American Health Care Association and suspended all non-essential visitation, including loved ones, earlier this year. &nbsp; All residents of Greek houses where outbreaks have been declared should complete a quarantine period. Residents of the Theta Zi fraternity should begin the 14-day quarantine starting today. They can choose to complete the quarantine at the house or at their permanent residence, but they should not go to work, participate in social activities, or attend in-person classes. &nbsp; Event permits for all Greek houses in Manhattan have been revoked and no new permits will be issued to them in September due to an increase of COVID-19 outbreaks associated with fraternities and sororities, as well as increased cases among Riley County adults aged 18-24. No events may take place at these locations during the month of September. &nbsp; “It is no longer deemed safe for Greek houses to host events and they may not take place,” said Local Health Officer Julie Gibbs. “Reducing the exposure opportunities from social contact is imperative for the 18-24 age group.” &nbsp; K-State shared information about safety practices for students who choose to interact socially during the pandemic. Advice includes reducing the size of your social circle, not sharing food or drinks, and staying home if you feel sick or have been exposed to COVID-19. More information is available online at&nbsp;<a href="https://gmail.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=95221c46aac4689e49a7c0bfc&amp;id=aa2a88d859&amp;e=fd06d17886" target="_blank">https://www.k-state.edu/today/announcement/?id=67583</a>. &nbsp; Anyone who has symptoms, is a close contact of a positive patient, or would like information about how to get tested should contact their health care provider or call the Riley County Screening Line at 785-323-6400. The Screening Line is staffed by nurses and is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 13 Active Outbreaks in Riley County:

Riley County has 129 new positive cases and 42 recoveries since Wednesday’s report. A total of 113, or 88%, of the new positive patients are in the 18-24 age range.&nbsp; Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan is caring for 3 positive patients at this time. The patients have symptoms severe enough to require hospitalization. &nbsp; Two additional outbreaks have been declared in Riley County, one at Homestead Assisted Living Facility and the other at the Theta Xi fraternity. Residents and staff members at the assisted living facility have been tested and additional results are pending. One resident of the facility died in a Topeka hospital earlier this week after testing positive. The Homestead has been following guidelines issued by the American Health Care Association and suspended all non-essential visitation, including loved ones, earlier this year. &nbsp; All residents of Greek houses where outbreaks have been declared should complete a quarantine period. Residents of the Theta Zi fraternity should begin the 14-day quarantine starting today. They can choose to complete the quarantine at the house or at their permanent residence, but they should not go to work, participate in social activities, or attend in-person classes. &nbsp; Event permits for all Greek houses in Manhattan have been revoked and no new permits will be issued to them in September due to an increase of COVID-19 outbreaks associated with fraternities and sororities, as well as increased cases among Riley County adults aged 18-24. No events may take place at these locations during the month of September. &nbsp; “It is no longer deemed safe for Greek houses to host events and they may not take place,” said Local Health Officer Julie Gibbs. “Reducing the exposure opportunities from social contact is imperative for the 18-24 age group.” &nbsp; K-State shared information about safety practices for students who choose to interact socially during the pandemic. Advice includes reducing the size of your social circle, not sharing food or drinks, and staying home if you feel sick or have been exposed to COVID-19. More information is available online at&nbsp;<a href="https://gmail.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=95221c46aac4689e49a7c0bfc&amp;id=aa2a88d859&amp;e=fd06d17886" target="_blank">https://www.k-state.edu/today/announcement/?id=67583</a>. &nbsp; Anyone who has symptoms, is a close contact of a positive patient, or would like information about how to get tested should contact their health care provider or call the Riley County Screening Line at 785-323-6400. The Screening Line is staffed by nurses and is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 13 Active Outbreaks in Riley County:<ul>
 <li>KSU Football: 12</li><li>Homestead Assisted Living: 6</li><li>USD 384 School District Office: 7</li><li>Sororities:Alpha Delta Pi: 10Alpha Xi Delta: 7Chi Omega: 6Kappa Kappa Gamma: 8Kappa Delta: 7Pi Beta Phi: 5</li><li>Alpha Delta Pi: 10</li><li>Alpha Xi Delta: 7</li><li>Chi Omega: 6</li><li>Kappa Kappa Gamma: 8</li><li>Kappa Delta: 7</li><li>Pi Beta Phi: 5</li><li>Fraternities:Delta Sigma Phi: 20Phi Delta Theta: 21Sigma Alpha Epsilon: 5Theta Xi: 5</li><li>Delta Sigma Phi: 20</li><li>Phi Delta Theta: 21</li><li>Sigma Alpha Epsilon: 5</li><li>Theta Xi: 5</li>
 </ul>

Riley County reports more positive COVID-19 cases

Isolation? Quarantine? KDHE offers guidance

PITTSBURG, Kan. (AP) — Hundreds are quarantined at several Kansas universities as a growing number of students test positive for the coronavirus, raising concerns that they could bring the virus home with them over the upcoming holiday weekend.

At Pittsburg State University, 96 positive COVID-19 cases have been recorded among students since the fall semester began Aug. 17, officials said during a media briefing Wednesday. Currently, 101 people are in isolation, or separated from people who are not sick, and about 600 are in quarantine, or separated for the monitoring of the development of symptoms.

Pittsburg State officials are “strongly suggesting” that students remain in Pittsburg over the coming Labor Day weekend.

“We feel we have a good handle on the situation here,” Tim Stebbins, the public health officer in Crawford County, where Pittsburg is located. “We don’t need the virus coming in and out due to student travel.”

At Emporia State University, officials announced Wednesday that all athletic activities were temporarily suspended. The school said in a news release that total of 14 student-athletes out of more than 400 spread across all teams had tested positive for COVID-19.

The University of Kansas announced Wednesday that the number of positive cases resulting from compulsory testing of students arriving on campus had grown to 546, for a 2.42% overall positivity rate, according to a&nbsp;<a href="http://chancellor.ku.edu/news/2020/sep2" target="_blank">news release</a>. Among fraternities and sororities, the percentage testing positive shrank from 10% to 8.38% as the houses added freshmen members who had lower rates of infection to their ranks. Nine Greek houses were places on quarantine last week.

At Benedictine College in Atchison, health officials in the county want to put all of the school’s 2,000 students in quarantine for 14 days. Under the plan, students would only leave their residential quarters to obtain packed meals from the cafeteria and participate in religious services.

Currently, 16 students are in isolation in the community after testing positive and 132 are in quarantine as a precaution because they may have been exposed, said college spokesman Steve Johnson. He said the school thinks it has adequate mitigation in place and quarantining all students is “not the best solution.” No final decision has been made.

Statewide, Kansas reported 1,328 new COVID-19 cases from Monday to Wednesday, bringing the state’s confirmed total to 43,940. That includes 15 sports clusters with 119 cases. Health officials also reported an additional 12 COVID-19-related deaths for a statewide death toll of 458.

One of the deadliest outbreaks was at Riverbend Post Acute Rehabilitation in Wyandotte County, where 37 residents died, KCUR&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-09-03/scathing-federal-inspection-pulls-curtain-back-on-one-of-kansas-deadliest-coronavirus-outbreaksKCUR" target="_blank">reports</a>. A newly released scathing federal report said that weeks into the outbreak, inspectors still saw health workers caring for COVID-19 patients without proper protective gear.

Riverbend argued a federal law shields it against 12 lawsuits that have been filed, but a federal judge rejected the argument two weeks ago.

“This report just confirms the allegations we’ve already made,” said Rachel Stahle, a lawyer representing families in seven of the lawsuits.

PITTSBURG, Kan. (AP) — Hundreds are quarantined at several Kansas universities as a growing number of students test positive for the coronavirus, raising concerns that they could bring the virus home with them over the upcoming holiday weekend.At Pittsburg State University, 96 positive COVID-19 cases have been recorded among students since the fall semester began Aug. 17, officials said during a media briefing Wednesday. Currently, 101 people are in isolation, or separated from people who are not sick, and about 600 are in quarantine, or separated for the monitoring of the development of symptoms.Pittsburg State officials are “strongly suggesting” that students remain in Pittsburg over the coming Labor Day weekend.“We feel we have a good handle on the situation here,” Tim Stebbins, the public health officer in Crawford County, where Pittsburg is located. “We don’t need the virus coming in and out due to student travel.”At Emporia State University, officials announced Wednesday that all athletic activities were temporarily suspended. The school said in a news release that total of 14 student-athletes out of more than 400 spread across all teams had tested positive for COVID-19.The University of Kansas announced Wednesday that the number of positive cases resulting from compulsory testing of students arriving on campus had grown to 546, for a 2.42% overall positivity rate, according to a&nbsp;<a href="http://chancellor.ku.edu/news/2020/sep2" target="_blank">news release</a>. Among fraternities and sororities, the percentage testing positive shrank from 10% to 8.38% as the houses added freshmen members who had lower rates of infection to their ranks. Nine Greek houses were places on quarantine last week.At Benedictine College in Atchison, health officials in the county want to put all of the school’s 2,000 students in quarantine for 14 days. Under the plan, students would only leave their residential quarters to obtain packed meals from the cafeteria and participate in religious services.Currently, 16 students are in isolation in the community after testing positive and 132 are in quarantine as a precaution because they may have been exposed, said college spokesman Steve Johnson. He said the school thinks it has adequate mitigation in place and quarantining all students is “not the best solution.” No final decision has been made.Statewide, Kansas reported 1,328 new COVID-19 cases from Monday to Wednesday, bringing the state’s confirmed total to 43,940. That includes 15 sports clusters with 119 cases. Health officials also reported an additional 12 COVID-19-related deaths for a statewide death toll of 458.One of the deadliest outbreaks was at Riverbend Post Acute Rehabilitation in Wyandotte County, where 37 residents died, KCUR&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-09-03/scathing-federal-inspection-pulls-curtain-back-on-one-of-kansas-deadliest-coronavirus-outbreaksKCUR" target="_blank">reports</a>. A newly released scathing federal report said that weeks into the outbreak, inspectors still saw health workers caring for COVID-19 patients without proper protective gear.Riverbend argued a federal law shields it against 12 lawsuits that have been filed, but a federal judge rejected the argument two weeks ago.“This report just confirms the allegations we’ve already made,” said Rachel Stahle, a lawyer representing families in seven of the lawsuits.

Hundreds in quarantine after COVID-19 outbreaks at Kan. schools 

Geary County health officials confirmed on Thursday that there were five new positive COVID-19 cases that day while four people have recovered. So far since the pandemic began there have been 234 positive cases while 184 have recovered.

There are 48 active cases in the county and one person is hospitalized.

A total of 40.9 percent of the positive cases in the 31 to 50 year old age range, 31.8 percent in the 51 to 70 year old group, 15.9 percent in the 19 to 30 year old category.

Four-point-five percent of the cases are in the 11 to 18 group and 2.5 percent in the infant to 10-year old age range. Four and a half percent are over 70 years of age.

Geary County health officials confirmed on Thursday that there were five new positive COVID-19 cases that day while four people have recovered. So far since the pandemic began there have been 234 positive cases while 184 have recovered.There are 48 active cases in the county and one person is hospitalized.A total of 40.9 percent of the positive cases in the 31 to 50 year old age range, 31.8 percent in the 51 to 70 year old group, 15.9 percent in the 19 to 30 year old category.Four-point-five percent of the cases are in the 11 to 18 group and 2.5 percent in the infant to 10-year old age range. Four and a half percent are over 70 years of age.

Five new positive COVID-19 cases reported in Geary County Thursday along with four recoveries

Geary County Commissioners has approved the amended health order that will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. Friday. Commissioner Keith Ascher said the basic requirement that if you cannot six foot physically distance you will wear a face mask will remain in place. "Among the changes we did make was to basically leave it up to the businesses. If they want to require a mask to their customers that would be the case. "

Ascher said a continuing requirement will be for all restaurants and bars to screen each employee ( temperature checks ). The proposal also called for no seating at counters or bars&nbsp; but the commission did decided to allow it. "The last one was allowing bars to stay open until two, instead of midnight and kicking everybody out at 12:30."

The order was submitted to the county commission by Health Department officials.&nbsp;

Geary County Commissioners has approved the amended health order that will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. Friday. Commissioner Keith Ascher said the basic requirement that if you cannot six foot physically distance you will wear a face mask will remain in place. "Among the changes we did make was to basically leave it up to the businesses. If they want to require a mask to their customers that would be the case. "Ascher said a continuing requirement will be for all restaurants and bars to screen each employee ( temperature checks ). The proposal also called for no seating at counters or bars&nbsp; but the commission did decided to allow it. "The last one was allowing bars to stay open until two, instead of midnight and kicking everybody out at 12:30."The order was submitted to the county commission by Health Department officials.&nbsp;

New health order will go into effect later this week

Enrollment totals for September 2 in Geary USD 475 totaled 6,734 students. Associate Superintendent Lacee Sell reported that is down a little more than 300 from this time a year ago.

Sell noted that there is a substantial enrollment in remote learning. "At our elementary schools we have 957 remote learning students. Then at both of our middle schools we have a total of 458, and then at Junction City High School of&nbsp; their 1,400 there are 466 remote learners."

District-wide there are 1,881 students that are participating in remote learning. An Ed-Tech coaches&nbsp; team is assisting teachers and principals with the details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/8/1598742110369.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Enrollment totals for September 2 in Geary USD 475 totaled 6,734 students. Associate Superintendent Lacee Sell reported that is down a little more than 300 from this time a year ago.Sell noted that there is a substantial enrollment in remote learning. "At our elementary schools we have 957 remote learning students. Then at both of our middle schools we have a total of 458, and then at Junction City High School of&nbsp; their 1,400 there are 466 remote learners."District-wide there are 1,881 students that are participating in remote learning. An Ed-Tech coaches&nbsp; team is assisting teachers and principals with the details.

Coronavirus Update