[College Hill Topeka] Fwd: Media Release: Updated COVID-19 Recommendations from Local Health Officer

Thu Dec 16 14:12:07 CST 2021

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Rachelle Vega-Retana <rvretana at topeka.org>
Date: Thu, Dec 16, 2021 at 1:22 PM
Subject: Media Release: Updated COVID-19 Recommendations from Local Health
Officer
To:

*Topeka, Kan.* – Shawnee County Health Officer, Dr. Erin Locke, has issued
updated recommendations to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the Shawnee
County community. These updated recommendations continue to be in
accordance with recommendations from both the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) and the State of Kansas. Recommendations continue to
focus on the primary mitigation measures that have been shown to have the
greatest impact on reducing the spread of COVID-19.

Updates to the COVID-19 Recommendations from the Local Health Officer
include updates to definitions, an added section regarding COVID-19
vaccines and updated links for Industry-Specific guidelines.

Shawnee County has seen increasing cases, percent positivity and
hospitalizations over the last several weeks. The vast majority of cases
and hospitalizations in Shawnee County continue to be in unvaccinated
individuals. A smaller number are in individuals who are eligible for a
booster dose but have not yet received it, particularly in older adults and
those with high risk medical conditions. Vaccination to COVID-19 is the
leading strategy for protecting the health of the community and ending the
COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccination remains highly protective against severe
symptomatic disease from COVID-19, including hospitalization and death.

At this time, individuals aged 5 and older are eligible for COVID-19
vaccination and individuals aged 16 and older are eligible for a booster
dose. Currently, 57% of the population in Shawnee County is fully
vaccinated and 65% has received at least one vaccine dose. Bi-weekly
updates regarding the status of Shawnee County’s vaccination efforts can be
found on the SCHD Vaccine Webpage here
<https://www.snco.us/hd/COVID19_Vaccination.asp>. The SCHD continues
to strongly
encourage residents to protect themselves by getting a COVID-19 vaccine and
subsequent booster dose once they are eligible. Many opportunities to
receive a COVID-19 vaccine continue to exist in our community and can be
found easily through the CDC’s Vaccine tool <https://www.vaccines.gov/>.

Early identification and treatment for COVID-19 remains essential. The SCHD
strongly encourages immediate testing with the development of any COVID-19
symptoms or after contact with a confirmed positive case. Individuals at
high risk for severe disease should discuss early outpatient treatment of
COVID-19 with their healthcare provider. Testing continues to be available
and free to Shawnee County residents. To find a location near you, visit
www.knowbeforeyougoks.com or contact your healthcare provider.

Face masks also continue to be an effective strategy at reducing the risk
of COVID-19. Individuals unable to achieve physical distancing, regardless
of vaccination status, should wear a face mask in indoor public spaces and when
interacting in indoor private spaces with unvaccinated individuals from
other households. A face mask should also be worn by individuals,
regardless of vaccination status, in very crowded outdoor settings where
consistent physical distancing is difficult to maintain.

Questions regarding the Health Officer Recommendations can be sent to
HAAdmin at snco.us or by calling *785.251.4949. *Questions regarding COVID-19
vaccine can be sent to CovidVaccine at snco.us.

*Attachment:*

COVID-19 Recommendations from the Local Health Officer (12/16/2021)

*Shawnee County Health Department is committed to working in partnership
with our community to promote and protect the optimal health of all people
by bridging gaps to eliminate health inequities, respecting the diversity
of our community, through adaptive and innovative processes.*

*Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube*

[image: Logo_Color_Transparent(3x2.5)]*Craig Barnes*
<https://www.google.com/maps/search/2600+SW+East+Circle+Drive+%0D%0A+Topeka,+KS+66606?entry=gmail&source=g>

Division Manager

Community Health Outreach and
Planning

Shawnee County Health Department

2600 SW East Circle Drive
<https://www.google.com/maps/search/2600+SW+East+Circle+Drive+%0D%0A+Topeka,+KS+66606?entry=gmail&source=g>

Topeka, KS 66606
<https://www.google.com/maps/search/2600+SW+East+Circle+Drive+%0D%0A+Topeka,+KS+66606?entry=gmail&source=g>

http://www.shawneehealth.org/

785.251.5612 office

785.806.6310 cell

785.251.5696 fax

Rachelle Vega-Retana, Grants Administrator

City of Topeka, Dept. of Planning & Development

Division of Housing Services

620 SE Madison St
<https://www.google.com/maps/search/620+SE+Madison+St?entry=gmail&source=g>.
1st Floor – Unit 8

Topeka, Ks. 66607

Phone: (785) 368-4490

Fax:      (785) 368-2546

Email:    rvretana at topeka.org

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