Riley County Health Department Director Julie Gibbs explained that the 51-year old Manhattan man diagnosed this week with Coronavirus-19 had traveled overseas, returned to the Kansas City airport, came to Manhattan, quarantined at home and when his symptoms got worse contacted Ascension Via Christi Hospital. He is isolated in the hospital with severe respiratory issues.
Gibbs stated during a Saturday afternoon briefing via social media that the patient did not travel anywhere else in the Manhattan community, that and he and his family did everything correctly. His family is also isolated.
Gibbs urged the public to remain calm. " we're all in this together. There is no sign of community spread right now in Riley County or in the region. Risk is low but we want to take precaution, we want to make sure that we're practicing those prevention methods. You've heard it all before, wash your hands for 20 seconds, make sure that you're keeping that social distancing of at least six feet between you and another person."
Gibbs stated, "It's okay to get outside and go take a walk, jog ride your bike. But you want to try to avoid playgrounds and crowded spaces."