Geary Community Hospital officials have announced that COVID-19 vaccines are now available on a walk-in basis seven days a week in Alpha Care.&nbsp;

The COVID Vaccine walk-In Clinic will run Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.

Geary Community Hospital officials have announced that COVID-19 vaccines are now available on a walk-in basis seven days a week in Alpha Care.&nbsp;The COVID Vaccine walk-In Clinic will run Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.

Alpha Care has COVID-19 vaccines

Fort Riley is doing well in keeping COVID-19 numbers down and that's a testament to the effort of the residents on post. That was one message from Major General D.A. Sims this week. "I think you're taking the appropriate measures and have been now for awhile as we've seen those numbers decline."&nbsp;

Sims urged those who have not been vaccinated for the coronavirus to get their shots. "If we want to see these masks disappear more routinely the way to get to that is to vaccinate."

The commanding general of the 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley did say that he's increased his concern associated with operational readiness." People who are not vaccinated, in some cases are letting their guard down. Although they may think that to themselves this won't impact anybody but themselves it now is placing the operational readiness of the unit in jeopardy."

Col. Will McKannay, Garrison Commander, said a few weeks ago the commanding general lifted some of the coronavirus restrictions and the majority of Fort Riley community members have cooperated well with off-post businesses. "I'd ask you to continue to follow Fort Riley and the Department of Defense guidelines no matter what you're doing no matter whether it be on or off post because it is all about as the commanding general mentioned about the readiness of our forces here and the safety and health of everyone."

The Fort Riley leaders spoke this week during a town hall session on post.&nbsp;

Fort Riley is doing well in keeping COVID-19 numbers down and that's a testament to the effort of the residents on post. That was one message from Major General D.A. Sims this week. "I think you're taking the appropriate measures and have been now for awhile as we've seen those numbers decline."&nbsp;Sims urged those who have not been vaccinated for the coronavirus to get their shots. "If we want to see these masks disappear more routinely the way to get to that is to vaccinate."The commanding general of the 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley did say that he's increased his concern associated with operational readiness." People who are not vaccinated, in some cases are letting their guard down. Although they may think that to themselves this won't impact anybody but themselves it now is placing the operational readiness of the unit in jeopardy."Col. Will McKannay, Garrison Commander, said a few weeks ago the commanding general lifted some of the coronavirus restrictions and the majority of Fort Riley community members have cooperated well with off-post businesses. "I'd ask you to continue to follow Fort Riley and the Department of Defense guidelines no matter what you're doing no matter whether it be on or off post because it is all about as the commanding general mentioned about the readiness of our forces here and the safety and health of everyone."The Fort Riley leaders spoke this week during a town hall session on post.&nbsp;

Fort Riley works to keep COVID-19 numbers low

Geary County Public Health officials reported one COVID-19 positive case but five recovered cases. There are 15 total active cases in the county. Two people are hospitalized.

Geary County Public Health officials reported one COVID-19 positive case but five recovered cases. There are 15 total active cases in the county. Two people are hospitalized.

Health Department provides COVID-19 update.

COVID-19 active case numbers reported by the Geary County Health Department declined by five cases on Thursday. There was one new confirmed positive case but there were six recoveries.

The total number of active cases in the county now stands at 12. One person is hospitalized.

COVID-19 active case numbers reported by the Geary County Health Department declined by five cases on Thursday. There was one new confirmed positive case but there were six recoveries.The total number of active cases in the county now stands at 12. One person is hospitalized.

Geary County COVID-19 case numbers decline

NEW YORK (AP) — How long does protection from COVID-19 vaccines last?

Experts don’t know yet because they’re still studying vaccinated people to see when protection might wear off. How well the vaccines work against emerging variants will also determine if, when and how often additional shots might be needed.

“We only have information for as long as the vaccines have been studied,” said Deborah Fuller, a vaccine researcher at the University of Washington. “We have to study the vaccinated population and start to see, at what point do people become vulnerable again to the virus?”

So far, Pfizer’s ongoing trial indicates the company’s two-dose vaccine remains highly effective for at least six months, and likely longer. People who got Moderna’s vaccine also still had notable levels of virus-fighting antibodies six months after the second required shot.

Antibodies also don’t tell the whole story. To fight off intruders like viruses, our immune systems also have another line of defense called B and T cells, some of which can hang around long after antibody levels dwindle. If they encounter the same virus in the future, those battle-tested cells could potentially spring into action more quickly.

Even if they don’t prevent illness entirely, they could help blunt its severity. But exactly what role such “memory” cells might play with the coronavirus -- and for how long -- isn’t yet known.

While the current COVID-19 vaccines will likely last for at least about a year, they probably won’t offer lifelong protection, as with measles shots, said Dr. Kathleen Neuzil, a vaccine expert at the University of Maryland.

“It’s going to be somewhere in the middle of that very wide range,” she said.

Variants are another reason we might need an additional shot.

The current vaccines are designed to work against a particular spike protein on the coronavirus, said Mehul Suthar of the Emory Vaccine Center. If the virus mutates enough over time, vaccines might need to be updated to boost their effectiveness.

So far, the vaccines appear protective against the notable variants that have emerged, though somewhat less so on the one first detected in South Africa.

If it turns out we need another shot, a single dose could extend protection of the current shots or contain vaccination for one or more variants.

The need for follow-up shots will also depend partly on the success of the vaccination push globally, and tamping down transmission of the virus and emerging variants.

By CANDICE CHOI, Associated PressNEW YORK (AP) — How long does protection from COVID-19 vaccines last?Experts don’t know yet because they’re still studying vaccinated people to see when protection might wear off. How well the vaccines work against emerging variants will also determine if, when and how often additional shots might be needed.“We only have information for as long as the vaccines have been studied,” said Deborah Fuller, a vaccine researcher at the University of Washington. “We have to study the vaccinated population and start to see, at what point do people become vulnerable again to the virus?”So far, Pfizer’s ongoing trial indicates the company’s two-dose vaccine remains highly effective for at least six months, and likely longer. People who got Moderna’s vaccine also still had notable levels of virus-fighting antibodies six months after the second required shot.Antibodies also don’t tell the whole story. To fight off intruders like viruses, our immune systems also have another line of defense called B and T cells, some of which can hang around long after antibody levels dwindle. If they encounter the same virus in the future, those battle-tested cells could potentially spring into action more quickly.Even if they don’t prevent illness entirely, they could help blunt its severity. But exactly what role such “memory” cells might play with the coronavirus -- and for how long -- isn’t yet known.While the current COVID-19 vaccines will likely last for at least about a year, they probably won’t offer lifelong protection, as with measles shots, said Dr. Kathleen Neuzil, a vaccine expert at the University of Maryland.“It’s going to be somewhere in the middle of that very wide range,” she said.Variants are another reason we might need an additional shot.The current vaccines are designed to work against a particular spike protein on the coronavirus, said Mehul Suthar of the Emory Vaccine Center. If the virus mutates enough over time, vaccines might need to be updated to boost their effectiveness.So far, the vaccines appear protective against the notable variants that have emerged, though somewhat less so on the one first detected in South Africa.If it turns out we need another shot, a single dose could extend protection of the current shots or contain vaccination for one or more variants.The need for follow-up shots will also depend partly on the success of the vaccination push globally, and tamping down transmission of the virus and emerging variants.

Experts unsure how long protection from COVID vaccine lasts

Geary County Health officials reported five new confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday along with one recovered case. There are 17 total active cases in the county and two people are hospitalized.

Geary County Health officials reported five new confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday along with one recovered case. There are 17 total active cases in the county and two people are hospitalized.

Two people are hospitalized for treatment of COVID-19

Junction City Fire Chief Terry Johnson said Monday everyone has been battling the fact that COVID-19 has no rules. He met with the Geary County Commission and then talked with JC Post. "The mutations and changes of this virus are keeping all of us, CDC, KDHE, all of us on our toes because it really doesn't follow any of t he sets that we would think of in a virus or other elements of dealing with things like the cold, the flu, HIV.&nbsp;

Johnson stated all of those have set parameters where officials know what to look for and what to do, but COVID-19 is constantly challenging everything being done, and is constantly evolving. "And that's why it's so important for everybody to get vaccinated."

The Junction City Fire Department has all the necessary PPP gear ( personal protective equipment ) ranging from masks to gloves. "Everyone of our firefighters has a specific P100 mask which is a little stronger filter than N95.&nbsp;

Junction City Fire Chief Terry Johnson said Monday everyone has been battling the fact that COVID-19 has no rules. He met with the Geary County Commission and then talked with JC Post. "The mutations and changes of this virus are keeping all of us, CDC, KDHE, all of us on our toes because it really doesn't follow any of t he sets that we would think of in a virus or other elements of dealing with things like the cold, the flu, HIV.&nbsp; Johnson stated all of those have set parameters where officials know what to look for and what to do, but COVID-19 is constantly challenging everything being done, and is constantly evolving. "And that's why it's so important for everybody to get vaccinated."The Junction City Fire Department has all the necessary PPP gear ( personal protective equipment ) ranging from masks to gloves. "Everyone of our firefighters has a specific P100 mask which is a little stronger filter than N95.&nbsp;

COVID-19 has no rules

WASHINGTON (AP) — The global death toll from the coronavirus topped a staggering 3 million people Saturday amid repeated setbacks in the worldwide vaccination campaign and a deepening crisis in places such as Brazil, India and France.

The number of lives lost, <a href="https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html">as compiled by Johns Hopkins University</a>, is about equal to the population of Kyiv, Ukraine; Caracas, Venezuela; or metropolitan Lisbon, Portugal. It is bigger than Chicago (2.7 million) and equivalent to Philadelphia and Dallas combined.

And the true number is believed to be significantly higher because of possible government concealment and the many cases overlooked in the early stages of the outbreak that began in Wuhan, China, at the end of 2019.

When the world back in January passed the bleak threshold of 2 million deaths, immunization drives had just started in Europe and the United States. Today, they are underway in more than 190 countries, though progress in bringing the virus under control varies widely.

While the campaigns in the U.S. and Britain have hit their stride and people and businesses there are beginning to contemplate life after the pandemic, other places, mostly poorer countries but some rich ones as well, are lagging behind in putting shots in arms and have imposed new lockdowns and other restrictions as virus cases soar.

Worldwide, deaths are on the rise again, running at around 12,000 per day on average, and new cases are climbing too, eclipsing 700,000 a day.

“This is not the situation we want to be in 16 months into a pandemic, where we have proven control measures,” said Maria Van Kerkhove, one of the World Health Organization’s leaders on COVID-19.

In Brazil, where deaths are running at about 3,000 per day, accounting for one-quarter of the lives lost worldwide in recent weeks, the crisis has been likened to a “raging inferno” by one WHO official. A more contagious variant of the virus has been rampaging across the country.

As cases surge, hospitals are running out of critical sedatives. As a result, there have been reports of some doctors diluting what supplies remain and even tying patients to their beds while breathing tubes are pushed down their throats.

The slow vaccine rollout has crushed Brazilians’ pride in their own history of carrying out huge immunization campaigns that were the envy of the developing world.

Taking cues from President Jair Bolsonaro, who has likened the virus to little more than a flu, his Health Ministry for months bet big on a single vaccine, ignoring other producers. When bottlenecks emerged, it was too late to get large quantities in time.

Watching so many patients suffer and die alone at her Rio de Janeiro hospital impelled nurse Lidiane Melo to take desperate measures.

In the early days of the pandemic, as sufferers were calling out for comfort that she was too busy to provide, Melo filled two rubber gloves with warm water, knotted them shut, and sandwiched them around a patient’s hand to simulate a loving touch.

Some have christened the practice the “hand of God,” and it is now the searing image of a nation roiled by a medical emergency with no end in sight.

“Patients can’t receive visitors. Sadly, there’s no way. So it’s a way to provide psychological support, to be there together with the patient holding their hand,” Melo said. She added: “And this year it’s worse, the seriousness of patients is 1,000 times greater.”

This situation is similarly dire in India, where cases spiked in February after weeks of steady decline, taking authorities by surprise. In a surge driven by variants of the virus, India saw over 180,000 new infections in one 24-hour span during the past week, bringing the total number of cases to over 13.9 million.

Problems that India had overcome last year are coming back to haunt health officials. Only 178 ventilators were free Wednesday afternoon in New Delhi, a city of 29 million, where 13,000 new infections were reported the previous day.

The challenges facing India reverberate beyond its borders since the country is the biggest supplier of shots to COVAX, the U.N.-sponsored program to distribute vaccines to poorer parts of the world. Last month, India said it would suspend vaccine exports until the virus’s spread inside the country slows.

The WHO recently described the supply situation as precarious. Up to 60 countries might not receive any more shots until June, by one estimate. To date, COVAX has delivered about 40 million doses to more than 100 countries, enough to cover barely 0.25% of the world’s population.

Globally, about 87% of the 700 million doses dispensed have been given out in rich countries. While 1 in 4 people in wealthy nations have received a vaccine, in poor countries the figure is 1 in more than 500.

In recent days, the U.S. and some European countries put the use of Johnson &amp; Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine on hold while authorities investigate extremely rare but dangerous blood clots. AstraZeneca’s vaccine has likewise been hit with delays and restrictions because of a clotting scare.

Another concern: Poorer countries are relying on vaccines made by China and Russia, which some scientists believe provide less protection than those made by Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca.

Last week, the director of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention acknowledged the country’s vaccines offer low protection and said officials are considering mixing them with other shots to improve their effectiveness.

In the U.S., where over 560,000 lives have been lost, accounting for more than 1 in 6 of the world’s COVID-19 deaths, hospitalizations and deaths have dropped, businesses are reopening, and life is beginning to return to something approaching normalcy in several states. The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits tumbled last week to 576,000, a post-COVID-19 low.

But progress has been patchy, and new hot spots — most notably Michigan — have flared up in recent weeks. Still, deaths in the U.S. are down to about 700 per day on average, plummeting from a mid-January peak of about 3,400.

In Europe, countries are feeling the brunt of a more contagious variant that first ravaged Britain and has pushed the continent’s COVID-19-related death toll beyond 1 million.

Close to 6,000 gravely ill patients are being treated in French critical care units, numbers not seen since the first wave a year ago.

Dr. Marc Leone, head of intensive care at the North Hospital in Marseille, said exhausted front-line staff members who were feted as heroes at the start of the pandemic now feel alone and are clinging to hope that renewed school closings and other restrictions will help curb the virus in the coming weeks.

“There’s exhaustion, more bad tempers. You have to tread carefully because there are a lot of conflicts,” he said. “We’ll give everything we have to get through these 15 days as best we can.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618692413792.png" alt="John Hopkins -Number of Daily Deaths" />
 <figcaption>John Hopkins -Number of Daily Deaths</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The global death toll from the coronavirus topped a staggering 3 million people Saturday amid repeated setbacks in the worldwide vaccination campaign and a deepening crisis in places such as Brazil, India and France.The number of lives lost, <a href="https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html">as compiled by Johns Hopkins University</a>, is about equal to the population of Kyiv, Ukraine; Caracas, Venezuela; or metropolitan Lisbon, Portugal. It is bigger than Chicago (2.7 million) and equivalent to Philadelphia and Dallas combined.And the true number is believed to be significantly higher because of possible government concealment and the many cases overlooked in the early stages of the outbreak that began in Wuhan, China, at the end of 2019.When the world back in January passed the bleak threshold of 2 million deaths, immunization drives had just started in Europe and the United States. Today, they are underway in more than 190 countries, though progress in bringing the virus under control varies widely.While the campaigns in the U.S. and Britain have hit their stride and people and businesses there are beginning to contemplate life after the pandemic, other places, mostly poorer countries but some rich ones as well, are lagging behind in putting shots in arms and have imposed new lockdowns and other restrictions as virus cases soar.Worldwide, deaths are on the rise again, running at around 12,000 per day on average, and new cases are climbing too, eclipsing 700,000 a day.“This is not the situation we want to be in 16 months into a pandemic, where we have proven control measures,” said Maria Van Kerkhove, one of the World Health Organization’s leaders on COVID-19.In Brazil, where deaths are running at about 3,000 per day, accounting for one-quarter of the lives lost worldwide in recent weeks, the crisis has been likened to a “raging inferno” by one WHO official. A more contagious variant of the virus has been rampaging across the country.As cases surge, hospitals are running out of critical sedatives. As a result, there have been reports of some doctors diluting what supplies remain and even tying patients to their beds while breathing tubes are pushed down their throats.The slow vaccine rollout has crushed Brazilians’ pride in their own history of carrying out huge immunization campaigns that were the envy of the developing world.Taking cues from President Jair Bolsonaro, who has likened the virus to little more than a flu, his Health Ministry for months bet big on a single vaccine, ignoring other producers. When bottlenecks emerged, it was too late to get large quantities in time.Watching so many patients suffer and die alone at her Rio de Janeiro hospital impelled nurse Lidiane Melo to take desperate measures.In the early days of the pandemic, as sufferers were calling out for comfort that she was too busy to provide, Melo filled two rubber gloves with warm water, knotted them shut, and sandwiched them around a patient’s hand to simulate a loving touch.Some have christened the practice the “hand of God,” and it is now the searing image of a nation roiled by a medical emergency with no end in sight.“Patients can’t receive visitors. Sadly, there’s no way. So it’s a way to provide psychological support, to be there together with the patient holding their hand,” Melo said. She added: “And this year it’s worse, the seriousness of patients is 1,000 times greater.”This situation is similarly dire in India, where cases spiked in February after weeks of steady decline, taking authorities by surprise. In a surge driven by variants of the virus, India saw over 180,000 new infections in one 24-hour span during the past week, bringing the total number of cases to over 13.9 million.Problems that India had overcome last year are coming back to haunt health officials. Only 178 ventilators were free Wednesday afternoon in New Delhi, a city of 29 million, where 13,000 new infections were reported the previous day.The challenges facing India reverberate beyond its borders since the country is the biggest supplier of shots to COVAX, the U.N.-sponsored program to distribute vaccines to poorer parts of the world. Last month, India said it would suspend vaccine exports until the virus’s spread inside the country slows.The WHO recently described the supply situation as precarious. Up to 60 countries might not receive any more shots until June, by one estimate. To date, COVAX has delivered about 40 million doses to more than 100 countries, enough to cover barely 0.25% of the world’s population.Globally, about 87% of the 700 million doses dispensed have been given out in rich countries. While 1 in 4 people in wealthy nations have received a vaccine, in poor countries the figure is 1 in more than 500.In recent days, the U.S. and some European countries put the use of Johnson &amp; Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine on hold while authorities investigate extremely rare but dangerous blood clots. AstraZeneca’s vaccine has likewise been hit with delays and restrictions because of a clotting scare.Another concern: Poorer countries are relying on vaccines made by China and Russia, which some scientists believe provide less protection than those made by Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca.Last week, the director of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention acknowledged the country’s vaccines offer low protection and said officials are considering mixing them with other shots to improve their effectiveness.In the U.S., where over 560,000 lives have been lost, accounting for more than 1 in 6 of the world’s COVID-19 deaths, hospitalizations and deaths have dropped, businesses are reopening, and life is beginning to return to something approaching normalcy in several states. The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits tumbled last week to 576,000, a post-COVID-19 low.But progress has been patchy, and new hot spots — most notably Michigan — have flared up in recent weeks. Still, deaths in the U.S. are down to about 700 per day on average, plummeting from a mid-January peak of about 3,400.In Europe, countries are feeling the brunt of a more contagious variant that first ravaged Britain and has pushed the continent’s COVID-19-related death toll beyond 1 million.Close to 6,000 gravely ill patients are being treated in French critical care units, numbers not seen since the first wave a year ago.Dr. Marc Leone, head of intensive care at the North Hospital in Marseille, said exhausted front-line staff members who were feted as heroes at the start of the pandemic now feel alone and are clinging to hope that renewed school closings and other restrictions will help curb the virus in the coming weeks.“There’s exhaustion, more bad tempers. You have to tread carefully because there are a lot of conflicts,” he said. “We’ll give everything we have to get through these 15 days as best we can.”

Global COVID deaths on the rise again, top 3 million

Geary County Emergency Management Director Garry Berges said Friday that the Health Department has been asked to vaccinate high school kids between the ages of 16 to 18. They want to see how many students are interested in receiving the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, the only one approved for children between the ages of 16 and 18.

Berges said if we have enough interest, we can special order a limited supply from the state to cover the students. Please use the link below to let us know if you are interested so we know how much vaccine to request. Students will receive their first dose with the second dose given 21 days later. Full protection is considered 2 weeks after the second dose, which means that exposure to a case would not result in the need to quarantine.

If you have any questions, or want to sign up, just call the Health Department at 785-762-5788.&nbsp;

Please use this link to sign up so we know how much vaccine we need to order. Only those between the ages of 16 and 18 are asked to use the link below.

To learn more click <a href="https://form.jotform.com/211047073377150">here</a>.

Geary County Emergency Management Director Garry Berges said Friday that the Health Department has been asked to vaccinate high school kids between the ages of 16 to 18. They want to see how many students are interested in receiving the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, the only one approved for children between the ages of 16 and 18.Berges said if we have enough interest, we can special order a limited supply from the state to cover the students. Please use the link below to let us know if you are interested so we know how much vaccine to request. Students will receive their first dose with the second dose given 21 days later. Full protection is considered 2 weeks after the second dose, which means that exposure to a case would not result in the need to quarantine.If you have any questions, or want to sign up, just call the Health Department at 785-762-5788.&nbsp;Please use this link to sign up so we know how much vaccine we need to order. Only those between the ages of 16 and 18 are asked to use the link below.To learn more click <a href="https://form.jotform.com/211047073377150">here</a>.

Health Department gathers information on COVID-19 youth vaccinations

Milford Lake Corp of Engineer campgrounds opened Thursday. Boll Whitworth, Operations Project Manager, noted that some loops in different campgrounds will remain closed because repairs from 2019 flooding are not yet complete. "Loop B at West Rolling Hills, Farnum Creek and Curtis Creek will be closed still for flood repairs."

The Corps manages five campgrounds at Milford Reservoir. Necessary repairs ranged from rebuilding of camping pads with new gravel, fire rings to repairs to water lines. Some electrical repairs also remain to be done.

Whitworth noted that this year the Corps will go to a cashless system. Rangers will not collect fees. "Basically you reserve your site online. " Go to recreation.gov and reserve a site or you call a telephone number once you reach an open site and reserve it in that method. "Avoidance of money transfer is one of the relics of COVID and also it's just a way to make things a little more efficient, said Whitworth.

On visitation that could occur this year at the lake, Whitworth feels it could be up but he also said the campgrounds are popular destinations regardless of COVID-19. "But I do think because of the restrictions of the past year we may get a few more yes."

Milford Lake Corp of Engineer campgrounds opened Thursday. Boll Whitworth, Operations Project Manager, noted that some loops in different campgrounds will remain closed because repairs from 2019 flooding are not yet complete. "Loop B at West Rolling Hills, Farnum Creek and Curtis Creek will be closed still for flood repairs."The Corps manages five campgrounds at Milford Reservoir. Necessary repairs ranged from rebuilding of camping pads with new gravel, fire rings to repairs to water lines. Some electrical repairs also remain to be done.Whitworth noted that this year the Corps will go to a cashless system. Rangers will not collect fees. "Basically you reserve your site online. " Go to recreation.gov and reserve a site or you call a telephone number once you reach an open site and reserve it in that method. "Avoidance of money transfer is one of the relics of COVID and also it's just a way to make things a little more efficient, said Whitworth.On visitation that could occur this year at the lake, Whitworth feels it could be up but he also said the campgrounds are popular destinations regardless of COVID-19. "But I do think because of the restrictions of the past year we may get a few more yes."

Corp of Engineer campgrounds at Milford Lake open

Geary County health officials have reported the active number of COVID-19 cases in the county has risen to 17. There were five new confirmed positive cases reported on Tuesday and three recovered cases.

No one is hospitalized for treatment of COVID-19.

Geary County health officials have reported the active number of COVID-19 cases in the county has risen to 17. There were five new confirmed positive cases reported on Tuesday and three recovered cases.No one is hospitalized for treatment of COVID-19.

Active COVID-19 case number rises to 17

TOPEKA – A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Emerging Variant known as the Brazilian or P.1 variant has been identified in an individual in Sedgwick County. 

A case investigation is being conducted to determine how the person became infected with this particular variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, as well as, if others may have been exposed. No further details will be released concerning the patient, including demographics.

The variant was determined through the whole genome sequencing conducted through the laboratories at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).

The P.1 variant was originally identified in four travelers from Brazil, who were tested during routine screening at Haneda airport outside Tokyo, Japan. 

This variant was detected in the U.S. at the end of January 2021 and has been&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA0MTMuMzg3MDgwNDEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5jZGMuZ292L2Nvcm9uYXZpcnVzLzIwMTktbmNvdi90cmFuc21pc3Npb24vdmFyaWFudC1jYXNlcy5odG1sP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSJ9.-0O-9-5IJTolc4wspUsudU4lji1mIZypKY8N4R-85iQ/s/1305913448/br/101976527309-l" target="_blank">found in 31 states and territories</a>&nbsp;in the U.S. At this point, there is still much to learn about the transmission characteristics and potential severity of the P.1 variant. Although this strain can reduce the effectiveness of some vaccines, vaccines still provide strong protection against severe illness and death.

“We continue to encourage people to take the appropriate precautions. This includes wearing a mask that fits snuggly around the nose and face and has multiple layers of fabric or layering thinner masks with an additional cloth face mask to improve the fit,” Dr. Lee Norman, KDHE Secretary, said. “Kansans should also follow isolation and quarantine recommendations, practice physical distancing, good hygiene, staying home if ill and getting the vaccine if you are able to.”

Two other variants of concern have been identified in Kansas, including the UK variant, B.1.1.7, and the South African variant, B.1.351. Variant information in Kansas can be found on the&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA0MTMuMzg3MDgwNDEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5jb3JvbmF2aXJ1cy5rZGhla3MuZ292LzE2MC9DT1ZJRC0xOS1pbi1LYW5zYXM_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5In0.a6rqq0vuenhfl1r_L-wUWD8_7IdAZBLRbMDQNKguKPM/s/1305913448/br/101976527309-l" target="_blank">COVID-19 dashboard</a>&nbsp;under the “Variants” tab.

“In addition to following these healthy behaviors, this finding also shows the importance of getting tested for COVID-19,” Adrienne Byrne, Sedgwick County Health Director, adds.

Testing is available and free for all Kansans. To find a location near you, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA0MTMuMzg3MDgwNDEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LmNvcm9uYXZpcnVzLmtkaGVrcy5nb3YvMjgwL0NPVklELTE5LVRlc3Rpbmc_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5In0.s-jifUbFDBcqbLVz4HKQIs6RcJ95wptgslZfZQG_61o/s/1305913448/br/101976527309-l" target="_blank">www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/280/COVID-19-Testing</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608566572342.png" alt="VIrus variant image courtesy GISAID" />
 <figcaption>VIrus variant image courtesy GISAID</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA – A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Emerging Variant known as the Brazilian or P.1 variant has been identified in an individual in Sedgwick County. A case investigation is being conducted to determine how the person became infected with this particular variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, as well as, if others may have been exposed. No further details will be released concerning the patient, including demographics.The variant was determined through the whole genome sequencing conducted through the laboratories at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).The P.1 variant was originally identified in four travelers from Brazil, who were tested during routine screening at Haneda airport outside Tokyo, Japan. This variant was detected in the U.S. at the end of January 2021 and has been&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA0MTMuMzg3MDgwNDEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5jZGMuZ292L2Nvcm9uYXZpcnVzLzIwMTktbmNvdi90cmFuc21pc3Npb24vdmFyaWFudC1jYXNlcy5odG1sP3V0bV9tZWRpdW09ZW1haWwmdXRtX3NvdXJjZT1nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeSJ9.-0O-9-5IJTolc4wspUsudU4lji1mIZypKY8N4R-85iQ/s/1305913448/br/101976527309-l" target="_blank">found in 31 states and territories</a>&nbsp;in the U.S. At this point, there is still much to learn about the transmission characteristics and potential severity of the P.1 variant. Although this strain can reduce the effectiveness of some vaccines, vaccines still provide strong protection against severe illness and death.“We continue to encourage people to take the appropriate precautions. This includes wearing a mask that fits snuggly around the nose and face and has multiple layers of fabric or layering thinner masks with an additional cloth face mask to improve the fit,” Dr. Lee Norman, KDHE Secretary, said. “Kansans should also follow isolation and quarantine recommendations, practice physical distancing, good hygiene, staying home if ill and getting the vaccine if you are able to.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618343095662.png" alt="Tuesday April 13, 2021 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Tuesday April 13, 2021 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>Two other variants of concern have been identified in Kansas, including the UK variant, B.1.1.7, and the South African variant, B.1.351. Variant information in Kansas can be found on the&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA0MTMuMzg3MDgwNDEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5jb3JvbmF2aXJ1cy5rZGhla3MuZ292LzE2MC9DT1ZJRC0xOS1pbi1LYW5zYXM_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5In0.a6rqq0vuenhfl1r_L-wUWD8_7IdAZBLRbMDQNKguKPM/s/1305913448/br/101976527309-l" target="_blank">COVID-19 dashboard</a>&nbsp;under the “Variants” tab.“In addition to following these healthy behaviors, this finding also shows the importance of getting tested for COVID-19,” Adrienne Byrne, Sedgwick County Health Director, adds.Testing is available and free for all Kansans. To find a location near you, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTA0MTMuMzg3MDgwNDEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LmNvcm9uYXZpcnVzLmtkaGVrcy5nb3YvMjgwL0NPVklELTE5LVRlc3Rpbmc_dXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5In0.s-jifUbFDBcqbLVz4HKQIs6RcJ95wptgslZfZQG_61o/s/1305913448/br/101976527309-l" target="_blank">www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/280/COVID-19-Testing</a>.

Brazilian COVID variant identified in Kansas

RILEY COUNTY, KS —In accordance with guidance from the CDC and FDA, Riley County will pause the administration of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine until further notice.&nbsp;

The federal agencies say they are reviewing six cases nationwide of a rare type of blood clot in people who have received the J &amp; J vaccine. Nearly 7 million doses have been administered across the country.&nbsp;

“In these cases, a type of blood clot called cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) was seen in combination with low levels of blood platelets (thrombocytopenia). All six cases occurred among women between the ages of 18 and 48, and symptoms occurred 6 to 13 days after vaccination,” explained the FDA and CDC in a press release.&nbsp;

To date, through Riley County’s program to vaccinate those who are homebound, a partnership with RADxUP, and a reallocation of vaccines to Lafene Health Center at Kansas State University, Dunne’s and Barry’s in which those organizations administered the doses, 1,571 individuals have received&nbsp;the&nbsp;Johnson and Johnson vaccine&nbsp;via the Health Department.&nbsp;

“To the best of our knowledge, no one who received a J &amp; J vaccine from Riley County Health Department has had any issues with blood clots or other serious side effects. We will continue to monitor the situation and follow the guidance as issued by KDHE and the federal government,” explained Julie Gibbs, the Riley County Health Department Director.&nbsp;

Riley County currently does not have any clinics scheduled in which the J &amp; J vaccine will be administered. Most of the vaccines that it has been issued are Moderna, which has not had any reports of a similar side effect.&nbsp;

“Please keep in mind that these findings are new and more research needs to be completed before concluding that all 6 cases are side effects from the Johnson and Johnson vaccine,” said Gibbs.&nbsp;

The FDA advises that those who received the J &amp; J vaccine contact their health care provider if they develop: severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination should contact their health care provider.&nbsp;

Health care providers are asked to report adverse events to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System at&nbsp;<a href="https://gmail.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=95221c46aac4689e49a7c0bfc&amp;id=27ef2247bc&amp;e=fd06d17886" target="_blank">https://vaers.hhs.gov/reportevent.html</a>”&nbsp;

“The pause is important, in part, to ensure that the health care provider community is aware of the potential for these adverse events and can plan for proper recognition and management due to the unique treatment required with this type of blood clot,” added the CDC and FDA.&nbsp;

<a href="https://gmail.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=95221c46aac4689e49a7c0bfc&amp;id=22a14b2966&amp;e=fd06d17886" target="_blank">CDC STATEMENT</a>

RILEY COUNTY, KS —In accordance with guidance from the CDC and FDA, Riley County will pause the administration of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine until further notice.&nbsp;The federal agencies say they are reviewing six cases nationwide of a rare type of blood clot in people who have received the J &amp; J vaccine. Nearly 7 million doses have been administered across the country.&nbsp;“In these cases, a type of blood clot called cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) was seen in combination with low levels of blood platelets (thrombocytopenia). All six cases occurred among women between the ages of 18 and 48, and symptoms occurred 6 to 13 days after vaccination,” explained the FDA and CDC in a press release.&nbsp;To date, through Riley County’s program to vaccinate those who are homebound, a partnership with RADxUP, and a reallocation of vaccines to Lafene Health Center at Kansas State University, Dunne’s and Barry’s in which those organizations administered the doses, 1,571 individuals have received&nbsp;the&nbsp;Johnson and Johnson vaccine&nbsp;via the Health Department.&nbsp;Riley County Health Department: 41 dosesRADxUP: 235 dosesLafene Health Center: 1,095 dosesDunne’s: 100Barry’s: 100&nbsp;“To the best of our knowledge, no one who received a J &amp; J vaccine from Riley County Health Department has had any issues with blood clots or other serious side effects. We will continue to monitor the situation and follow the guidance as issued by KDHE and the federal government,” explained Julie Gibbs, the Riley County Health Department Director.&nbsp;Riley County currently does not have any clinics scheduled in which the J &amp; J vaccine will be administered. Most of the vaccines that it has been issued are Moderna, which has not had any reports of a similar side effect.&nbsp;“Please keep in mind that these findings are new and more research needs to be completed before concluding that all 6 cases are side effects from the Johnson and Johnson vaccine,” said Gibbs.&nbsp;The FDA advises that those who received the J &amp; J vaccine contact their health care provider if they develop: severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination should contact their health care provider.&nbsp;Health care providers are asked to report adverse events to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System at&nbsp;<a href="https://gmail.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=95221c46aac4689e49a7c0bfc&amp;id=27ef2247bc&amp;e=fd06d17886" target="_blank">https://vaers.hhs.gov/reportevent.html</a>”&nbsp;“The pause is important, in part, to ensure that the health care provider community is aware of the potential for these adverse events and can plan for proper recognition and management due to the unique treatment required with this type of blood clot,” added the CDC and FDA.&nbsp;<a href="https://gmail.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=95221c46aac4689e49a7c0bfc&amp;id=22a14b2966&amp;e=fd06d17886" target="_blank">CDC STATEMENT</a>

Riley County pauses administration of Johnson & Johnson vaccine

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. is recommending a “pause” in administration of the single-dose Johnson &amp; Johnson COVID-19 vaccine to investigate reports of potentially dangerous blood clots.

In a joint statement Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration said it was investigating clots in six women in the days after vaccination, in combination with reduced platelet counts. More than 6.8 million doses of the J&amp;J vaccine have been administered in the U.S.

U.S. federal distribution channels, including mass vaccination sites, will pause the use of the J&amp;J shot, and states and other providers are expected to follow.

CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices will meet Wednesday to discuss the cases and the FDA has also launched an investigation of the cases.

“Until that process is complete, we are recommending a pause in the use of this vaccine out of an abundance of caution,” Dr. Anne Schuchat, Principal Deputy Director of the CDC and Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research said in a joint statement.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. is recommending a “pause” in administration of the single-dose Johnson &amp; Johnson COVID-19 vaccine to investigate reports of potentially dangerous blood clots.In a joint statement Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration said it was investigating clots in six women in the days after vaccination, in combination with reduced platelet counts. More than 6.8 million doses of the J&amp;J vaccine have been administered in the U.S.U.S. federal distribution channels, including mass vaccination sites, will pause the use of the J&amp;J shot, and states and other providers are expected to follow.CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices will meet Wednesday to discuss the cases and the FDA has also launched an investigation of the cases.“Until that process is complete, we are recommending a pause in the use of this vaccine out of an abundance of caution,” Dr. Anne Schuchat, Principal Deputy Director of the CDC and Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research said in a joint statement.

US recommends 'pause' of Johnson & Johnson vaccine 

There will be a walk-in COVID-19 vaccine clinic for all Veterans, their caregivers or spouses on Thursday from 4-8 p.m. at the Richard J. Seitz Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Junction City. The vaccine being used for this clinic is the one-dose Janssen COVID-19 vaccine.

To speed up the check-in process any Veteran or caregiver / spouse can visit VA's Stay Informed page to pre-register and fill out the necessary information automatically placing them into the VA system. Also available is their vaccine scheduling number t 1-800-574-8387, Ext. 54453.

Veterans from the Junction City - Manhattan area utilize the clinic.

There will be a walk-in COVID-19 vaccine clinic for all Veterans, their caregivers or spouses on Thursday from 4-8 p.m. at the Richard J. Seitz Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Junction City. The vaccine being used for this clinic is the one-dose Janssen COVID-19 vaccine.To speed up the check-in process any Veteran or caregiver / spouse can visit VA's Stay Informed page to pre-register and fill out the necessary information automatically placing them into the VA system. Also available is their vaccine scheduling number t 1-800-574-8387, Ext. 54453.Veterans from the Junction City - Manhattan area utilize the clinic.

COVID-19 vaccine clinic is scheduled at the Seitz CBOC

Geary Community Hospital representatives conducted their second vaccine clinic on Friday at Foot Locker. GCH is partnering with agencies and individuals to continue the battle against COVD-19. Call 785-238-0305 if you need a vaccine.

Geary Community Hospital representatives conducted their second vaccine clinic on Friday at Foot Locker. GCH is partnering with agencies and individuals to continue the battle against COVD-19. Call 785-238-0305 if you need a vaccine.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1618011628491.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy of GCH" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of GCH</figcaption>
 </figure>

Geary Community Hospital conducts vaccine clinic

For the second report in a row the Geary County Health Department is reporting an increase in confirmed positive cases of COVID-19.&nbsp;

On Friday the report from the department included 11 new confirmed positive cases and six recovered cases. There are now 15 active cases in the county and one person is hospitalized.

For the second report in a row the Geary County Health Department is reporting an increase in confirmed positive cases of COVID-19.&nbsp;On Friday the report from the department included 11 new confirmed positive cases and six recovered cases. There are now 15 active cases in the county and one person is hospitalized.

COVID-19 numbers go up again

Geary County health officials reported on Wednesday that there were 9 new confirmed positive cases of COVID-19. There were two recovered cases.

The total number of active cases in the county now stands at 10. One person is hospitalized.

Geary County health officials reported on Wednesday that there were 9 new confirmed positive cases of COVID-19. There were two recovered cases.The total number of active cases in the county now stands at 10. One person is hospitalized.

Covid-19 numbers creep upward

Geary County health officials have both Johnson and Johnson plus Moderna vaccine available. They've been calling and scheduling people to receive their vaccine,&nbsp; but some have gone to other locations to receive their vaccine and have not notified the health department that they received their shot.&nbsp;

Geary County Emergency Management Director Garry Berges reported that when vaccine has been opened they have six hours to use it or it must be thrown away, which is a waste of vaccine when someone can't be called in because someone else did not show for an appointment.

Berges added that we have been working through our sign-up roster and are finding that a majority of people have already received their vaccine someplace else. If people want to receive their vaccine, from this point forward, they need to call the Geary County Health Department at 785-762-5788 and you will be scheduled. If someone is scheduled and decides to get their vaccine someplace else, they need to notify the Health Department immediately so that officials can get someone else to fill the spot, so no vaccine goes to waste.

The state recommends that people get whichever vaccine comes available. The Health Department will try to accommodate your wishes but it will depend on how much of each vaccine is available.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Geary County health officials have both Johnson and Johnson plus Moderna vaccine available. They've been calling and scheduling people to receive their vaccine,&nbsp; but some have gone to other locations to receive their vaccine and have not notified the health department that they received their shot.&nbsp;Geary County Emergency Management Director Garry Berges reported that when vaccine has been opened they have six hours to use it or it must be thrown away, which is a waste of vaccine when someone can't be called in because someone else did not show for an appointment.Berges added that we have been working through our sign-up roster and are finding that a majority of people have already received their vaccine someplace else. If people want to receive their vaccine, from this point forward, they need to call the Geary County Health Department at 785-762-5788 and you will be scheduled. If someone is scheduled and decides to get their vaccine someplace else, they need to notify the Health Department immediately so that officials can get someone else to fill the spot, so no vaccine goes to waste.The state recommends that people get whichever vaccine comes available. The Health Department will try to accommodate your wishes but it will depend on how much of each vaccine is available.&nbsp;&nbsp;

County officials are sorting through their vaccine sign-up roster

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

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

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

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

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

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613693226012.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BOSTON (AP) — New research suggests the protection the Moderna vaccine gives against COVID-19 lasts for at least six months.The report Tuesday in the New England Journal of Medicine echoes what Pfizer said last week about its vaccine, which works in a similar way.Both reports were based on follow-up tests in dozens of people who received the shots during studies that led to the vaccines’ use. Those studies were done before troubling new variants, or versions of the coronavirus, had emerged and started to spread.A separate report in the medical journal adds to concern about the variants. Scientists measured antibodies that can block the virus in 50 people who had been given the Sinopharm or Sinovac vaccines that were developed in China. Many showed total or partial loss of effectiveness against a virus variant first detected in South Africa.The vaccines still seemed to protect against a variant first found in the United Kingdom that is now rapidly spreading in the United States and elsewhere.Pfizer and Moderna have said they are working to update their vaccines, or possibly design a booster shot, in case they’re needed against variants.___

Study: Moderna vaccine lasts at least 6 months

The Army said this past week that the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/covid19?__eep__=6&amp;__cft__[0]=AZUySmlzMaiPt6ukVt0YS2oyI_8EFBv0EvqiqqQphX8VqhndV04J6ibHjIF3PJWGgDF9dE8lGhQENTs_a3RVuBlYB_DI1ZVFxX_GKFOe1gMOSjNNOQksHBrT06aRm1p9lZUyeRF4xKpPbH4350KGGvJZ&amp;__tn__=*NK-R">#COVID19</a>&nbsp;vaccine is becoming more readily available both on and off Fort Riley. Those aged 16 and over may use these three methods to schedule vaccination appointments: Military ID card holders can use the Patient Portal at <a href="http://tricareonline.com/?fbclid=IwAR22fXlwYMWVWrSiTvVaa4wIGHu8x1dKBQgRzIEKa8kw5RPnSgCFid6Ctpw" target="_blank">tricareonline.com</a> to schedule appointments with Irwin Army Community Hospital, DOD card holders may call the appointment line at (785) 239-DOCS (or 3627) to schedule appointments with IACH plusTRICARE beneficiaries and all Kansas residents aged 16 and over may wish to consult the CDC VaccineFinder for additional availability.

Visit <a href="https://www.vaccinefinder.org/?fbclid=IwAR1KhLAVzJ8OHBVNQ0W4DcH6DU6gqqIxzCMwaKcTiufm3B2jpRfZ7_JlirE" target="_blank">www.vaccinefinder.org</a> to locate the nearest clinics, pharmacies, or health departments in Kansas and follow their described processes to schedule appointments off-post.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Army said this past week that the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/covid19?__eep__=6&amp;__cft__[0]=AZUySmlzMaiPt6ukVt0YS2oyI_8EFBv0EvqiqqQphX8VqhndV04J6ibHjIF3PJWGgDF9dE8lGhQENTs_a3RVuBlYB_DI1ZVFxX_GKFOe1gMOSjNNOQksHBrT06aRm1p9lZUyeRF4xKpPbH4350KGGvJZ&amp;__tn__=*NK-R">#COVID19</a>&nbsp;vaccine is becoming more readily available both on and off Fort Riley. Those aged 16 and over may use these three methods to schedule vaccination appointments: Military ID card holders can use the Patient Portal at <a href="http://tricareonline.com/?fbclid=IwAR22fXlwYMWVWrSiTvVaa4wIGHu8x1dKBQgRzIEKa8kw5RPnSgCFid6Ctpw" target="_blank">tricareonline.com</a> to schedule appointments with Irwin Army Community Hospital, DOD card holders may call the appointment line at (785) 239-DOCS (or 3627) to schedule appointments with IACH plusTRICARE beneficiaries and all Kansas residents aged 16 and over may wish to consult the CDC VaccineFinder for additional availability. Visit <a href="https://www.vaccinefinder.org/?fbclid=IwAR1KhLAVzJ8OHBVNQ0W4DcH6DU6gqqIxzCMwaKcTiufm3B2jpRfZ7_JlirE" target="_blank">www.vaccinefinder.org</a> to locate the nearest clinics, pharmacies, or health departments in Kansas and follow their described processes to schedule appointments off-post.&nbsp;&nbsp;

COVID-19 vaccine availability is reviewed by Fort Riley

Well done was a key message from Maj. Gen. D.A. Sims during a Fort Riley COVID-19 town hall meeting this past week.&nbsp; "We have made a number of adjustments to our COVID mitigation measures. We have adjusted how we dine, whether we are in restaurants, bars, off-post fitness facilities. All those changes are the result of the impact you're having as it relates to personal mitigation measures, our ability to continue to wear masks, to socially distance appropriately and to get after personal hygiene and that's been a big deal."

Sims noted that from where Fort Riley was last November until now there is a major difference. "It's a dramatic difference and again that's because of what you have done."

Sims explained that analysts had projected the Post could be in the 4,000 to 5,000 total case range in early January. In April Fort Riley is not close to half of that number. He added it's hard to refute the fact that what has been done in mitigation has been the contributing factor to that.

"I know it has come at a personal cost in terms of interaction with people. I know it has come at a personal cost in relation to your desire to be inside a gym or inside a restaurant and I acknowledge all those impacts, " said Sims. "I certainly acknowledge the economic impact that we've had on the local community and we've had a number of conversations with our community partners as we've gone along."&nbsp;

Sims also noted it is important to know that we aren't done with the virus. There was a small bubble of case increases related to the spring break period, and those have started to reduce as well. "But COVID is not gone. " Several states have had increased hospitalizations including a bunch of states around Kansas. "We cannot afford to do that here. It would just be silly to go backwards at this point."

The 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley commanding general said the goals for the installation have not changed. "Our goal is to avoid loss of life, our goals are to avoid hospitalization, our goals are to continue to be able to train and make sure we are operationally ready as required if the nation calls. "

Sims added the goals also include ensuring Fort Riley does not move into a&nbsp; position where the Post is at stay at home&nbsp; so opportunities are lost for spouses to work and children to go school. "We are doing great against those goals but it's important to remember that we're not done yet."

Well done was a key message from Maj. Gen. D.A. Sims during a Fort Riley COVID-19 town hall meeting this past week.&nbsp; "We have made a number of adjustments to our COVID mitigation measures. We have adjusted how we dine, whether we are in restaurants, bars, off-post fitness facilities. All those changes are the result of the impact you're having as it relates to personal mitigation measures, our ability to continue to wear masks, to socially distance appropriately and to get after personal hygiene and that's been a big deal."Sims noted that from where Fort Riley was last November until now there is a major difference. "It's a dramatic difference and again that's because of what you have done."Sims explained that analysts had projected the Post could be in the 4,000 to 5,000 total case range in early January. In April Fort Riley is not close to half of that number. He added it's hard to refute the fact that what has been done in mitigation has been the contributing factor to that."I know it has come at a personal cost in terms of interaction with people. I know it has come at a personal cost in relation to your desire to be inside a gym or inside a restaurant and I acknowledge all those impacts, " said Sims. "I certainly acknowledge the economic impact that we've had on the local community and we've had a number of conversations with our community partners as we've gone along."&nbsp;Sims also noted it is important to know that we aren't done with the virus. There was a small bubble of case increases related to the spring break period, and those have started to reduce as well. "But COVID is not gone. " Several states have had increased hospitalizations including a bunch of states around Kansas. "We cannot afford to do that here. It would just be silly to go backwards at this point."The 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley commanding general said the goals for the installation have not changed. "Our goal is to avoid loss of life, our goals are to avoid hospitalization, our goals are to continue to be able to train and make sure we are operationally ready as required if the nation calls. "Sims added the goals also include ensuring Fort Riley does not move into a&nbsp; position where the Post is at stay at home&nbsp; so opportunities are lost for spouses to work and children to go school. "We are doing great against those goals but it's important to remember that we're not done yet."

Well done Fort Riley

Geary County health officials released the latest COVID-19 numbers on Thursday. There was one new confirmed positive case and three active cases.

Since the pandemic began there have been 1,560 confirmed positive cases, 1,531 recovered cases in Geary County and 26 people have died.

Geary County health officials released the latest COVID-19 numbers on Thursday. There was one new confirmed positive case and three active cases.No one is hospitalized for treatment of COVID-19.Since the pandemic began there have been 1,560 confirmed positive cases, 1,531 recovered cases in Geary County and 26 people have died.

Health Department reports three active COVID-19 cases

WESTMORELAND, Kan.&nbsp;— The Pottawatomie County Health Department released updated community COVID-19 nuumbers.&nbsp;

There were 17 new confirmed positive cases of Coronavirus in Pottawatomie County, bringing the total for the pandemic to 1,852. Additionally, there have been 1,850 total recoveries.

There is currently one person being hospitalized for COVID-19 in Pottawatomie County.&nbsp;

Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas" target="_blank">https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas</a>&nbsp;for additional data.&nbsp; This is preliminary data and subject to qualify improvement and quality assurance validations.&nbsp; Some numbers may change.

COVID-19 Vaccine sign-ups:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://pottcounty.govbuilt.com/vaccinesignup" target="_blank">https://pottcounty.govbuilt.com/vaccinesignup</a>&nbsp;or if you would like assistance, call 785-457-1432.&nbsp; If you would like to confirm your name is on the list, please call, or e-mail&nbsp;<a href="mailto:pio@pottcounty.org" target="_blank">pio@pottcounty.org</a>.

Adults (18-years of age or older) who live or work in Pottawatomie County are eligible to receive their vaccine through the Pottawatomie County Health Department.&nbsp; Vaccines are still available&nbsp;by appointment only. If you are interested in the vaccine, you must sign-up (see first paragraph above) to be contacted for an appointment.&nbsp; While all adults are now eligible, we are still trying to concentrate on those with medical conditions and/or who work in high-contact professions.&nbsp; Once the vaccine becomes more widely available, it will be faster and easier to inoculate all those who wish the vaccine.

In a news release today, Governor Laura Kelly announced that no cost COVID-19 testing will continue to be available&nbsp;at community testing sites&nbsp;throughout Kansas

WESTMORELAND, Kan.&nbsp;— The Pottawatomie County Health Department released updated community COVID-19 nuumbers.&nbsp;There were 17 new confirmed positive cases of Coronavirus in Pottawatomie County, bringing the total for the pandemic to 1,852. Additionally, there have been 1,850 total recoveries.There is currently one person being hospitalized for COVID-19 in Pottawatomie County.&nbsp;Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas" target="_blank">https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas</a>&nbsp;for additional data.&nbsp; This is preliminary data and subject to qualify improvement and quality assurance validations.&nbsp; Some numbers may change.COVID-19 Vaccine sign-ups:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://pottcounty.govbuilt.com/vaccinesignup" target="_blank">https://pottcounty.govbuilt.com/vaccinesignup</a>&nbsp;or if you would like assistance, call 785-457-1432.&nbsp; If you would like to confirm your name is on the list, please call, or e-mail&nbsp;<a href="mailto:pio@pottcounty.org" target="_blank">pio@pottcounty.org</a>.Adults (18-years of age or older) who live or work in Pottawatomie County are eligible to receive their vaccine through the Pottawatomie County Health Department.&nbsp; Vaccines are still available&nbsp;by appointment only. If you are interested in the vaccine, you must sign-up (see first paragraph above) to be contacted for an appointment.&nbsp; While all adults are now eligible, we are still trying to concentrate on those with medical conditions and/or who work in high-contact professions.&nbsp; Once the vaccine becomes more widely available, it will be faster and easier to inoculate all those who wish the vaccine.In a news release today, Governor Laura Kelly announced that no cost COVID-19 testing will continue to be available&nbsp;at community testing sites&nbsp;throughout Kansas

Pottawatomie County COVID-19 Update

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa&nbsp;—&nbsp;Hy-Vee, Inc. announces Thursday that COVID-19 vaccine is now available at all of the company’s more than 270 Hy-Vee Pharmacy locations across its eight-state region. This week, Hy-Vee began vaccinating in its eighth state, Wisconsin, through the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program.

Prior to expanding into Wisconsin, Hy-Vee was already a partner of the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program in Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska and South Dakota, receiving vaccine supply directly from the CDC. Hy-Vee is also vaccinating in Illinois using vaccine allocated from the state.

“Hy-Vee’s rapid COVID-19 vaccine expansion has allowed us to reach key communities in both urban and rural areas across the Midwest,” said Randy Edeker, Hy-Vee’s chairman, CEO and president. “Leveraging our team of more than 2,700 pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, our fleet of Hy-Vee Healthy You Mobiles and our strategic partnerships that we have built with local organizations, we have been able to make great strides in helping protect our communities from this pandemic.”

Free COVID-19 vaccinations are available at all Hy-Vee pharmacies by appointment only. Patients should visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.hy-vee.com/covidvaccine" target="_blank">www.hy-vee.com/covidvaccine</a>&nbsp;to register for an appointment once they are eligible according to their state’s guidance. Using the online scheduler, patients can also schedule their second dose appointment (if applicable) when they schedule their first dose appointment, with no account necessary.

In addition to vaccinating at its retail pharmacy locations, Hy-Vee is also working with hundreds of facilities to organize workplace vaccination clinics for front line essential workers and, as state eligibility allows, other workplace employees.

Hy-Vee also offers free COVID-19 lab testing (molecular PCR), rapid antigen COVID-19 testing and rapid antibody testing to test for past COVID-19 infection. To schedule a testing appointment, patients can visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.hy-vee.com/covidtesting" target="_blank">www.hy-vee.com/covidtesting</a>.

Hy-Vee is currently searching for more than 1,000 pharmacy technicians to assist with COVID-19 testing and COVID-19 vaccine administration as more doses become available. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.hy-vee.com/careers" target="_blank">www.hy-vee.com/careers</a>. In addition to enjoying a number of competitive benefits including a 10% employee discount, competitive pay and flexible scheduling, technicians who assist with the rapid antigen COVID-19 tests are eligible to receive a bonus.

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa&nbsp;—&nbsp;Hy-Vee, Inc. announces Thursday that COVID-19 vaccine is now available at all of the company’s more than 270 Hy-Vee Pharmacy locations across its eight-state region. This week, Hy-Vee began vaccinating in its eighth state, Wisconsin, through the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program.Prior to expanding into Wisconsin, Hy-Vee was already a partner of the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program in Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska and South Dakota, receiving vaccine supply directly from the CDC. Hy-Vee is also vaccinating in Illinois using vaccine allocated from the state.“Hy-Vee’s rapid COVID-19 vaccine expansion has allowed us to reach key communities in both urban and rural areas across the Midwest,” said Randy Edeker, Hy-Vee’s chairman, CEO and president. “Leveraging our team of more than 2,700 pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, our fleet of Hy-Vee Healthy You Mobiles and our strategic partnerships that we have built with local organizations, we have been able to make great strides in helping protect our communities from this pandemic.”Free COVID-19 vaccinations are available at all Hy-Vee pharmacies by appointment only. Patients should visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.hy-vee.com/covidvaccine" target="_blank">www.hy-vee.com/covidvaccine</a>&nbsp;to register for an appointment once they are eligible according to their state’s guidance. Using the online scheduler, patients can also schedule their second dose appointment (if applicable) when they schedule their first dose appointment, with no account necessary.In addition to vaccinating at its retail pharmacy locations, Hy-Vee is also working with hundreds of facilities to organize workplace vaccination clinics for front line essential workers and, as state eligibility allows, other workplace employees.Hy-Vee also offers free COVID-19 lab testing (molecular PCR), rapid antigen COVID-19 testing and rapid antibody testing to test for past COVID-19 infection. To schedule a testing appointment, patients can visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.hy-vee.com/covidtesting" target="_blank">www.hy-vee.com/covidtesting</a>.Hy-Vee is currently searching for more than 1,000 pharmacy technicians to assist with COVID-19 testing and COVID-19 vaccine administration as more doses become available. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.hy-vee.com/careers" target="_blank">www.hy-vee.com/careers</a>. In addition to enjoying a number of competitive benefits including a 10% employee discount, competitive pay and flexible scheduling, technicians who assist with the rapid antigen COVID-19 tests are eligible to receive a bonus.

Coronavirus Update