[College Hill Topeka] Fwd: Media Release: First Confirmed Case of Omicron Variant in Shawnee County

[Katrina Shaw]

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Rachelle Vega-Retana <rvretana at topeka.org>
Date: Wed, Dec 29, 2021 at 7:17 AM
Subject: Media Release: First Confirmed Case of Omicron Variant in Shawnee
County
To:


*Topeka, Kan.* – The Shawnee County Health Department was notified today of
the first confirmed case of the Omicron variant in a Shawnee County
resident by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).



“We have been expecting and preparing for this notification of Omicron in
our community," said Dr. Erin Locke, Shawnee County Health Officer. "The
Omicron variant is much more contagious than previous variants, even Delta,
and has the capacity to evade some of our hard-won immunity. It will spread
more easily in the home and at work, in schools and at community events.
Fortunately, the familiar mitigation measures will work against this
respiratory virus, but we must be vigilant. It is extremely important to
get vaccinated with a booster, wear a mask, get tested, maintain physical
distance and stay home when sick.”



KDHE and the SCHD are urging Kansans to use the following tools to protect
themselves against COVID-19 and the omicron variant:



·         *Get vaccinated and boosted.* Vaccines remain the best tool to
protect people from COVID-19, slow transmission and reduce the likelihood
of new variants emerging. The three authorized COVID-19 vaccines are highly
effective in preventing serious illness, hospitalizations, and death.
Scientists expect the vaccines to prevent serious illness,
hospitalizations, and death in people infected with the Omicron variant.
COVID-19 vaccines are now authorized for people ages 5 and over. The
COVID-19 booster shots are authorized for all individuals ages 16 and over.
To find a vaccine near you, visit www.vaccines.gov.

·         *Wear a mask.* Masks offer protection against all variants. It is
recommended that people wear a well-fitting mask in public indoor settings
in Kansas, where COVID-19 transmission remains high, regardless of
vaccination status.

·         *Get tested.* If you are sick or have been in close contact with
someone diagnosed with COVID-19, it is recommended that you get tested for
COVID-19. COVID-19 tests are available across Kansas. Go to
www.KnowBeforeYouGoKS.com to find a free testing location near you. At-home
tests are available for purchase at grocery stores and pharmacies. These
can be used at home, work or anywhere and can provide rapid results. If a
positive result is received through an at-home test, individuals should
follow up with a health care provider about a confirmation test.

·         *Social distance.* When in public settings, stay at least 6 feet
from other people, especially if you are at higher risk of getting sick.



*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*


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

[image: Logo_Color_Transparent(3x2.5)]*Craig Barnes*

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



The preceding email message (including any attachments) contains
information that may be confidential, protected by the attorney/client or
other applicable privileges or that may constitute non-public information.
This message is intended to be conveyed only to the designated
recipient(s). If you are not listed as a recipient of this message, please
notify the sender immediately by replying to this message and then delete
it from your system.  Use, dissemination, distribution, or reproduction of
this message by unintended recipients is not authorized and may be
unlawful."
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image003.png
Type: image/png
Size: 40788 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://collegehilltopeka.org/pipermail/neighbors_collegehilltopeka.org/attachments/20211229/200efcea/attachment-0002.png>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: image001.png
Type: image/png
Size: 173997 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://collegehilltopeka.org/pipermail/neighbors_collegehilltopeka.org/attachments/20211229/200efcea/attachment-0003.png>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: 12282021 First Confirmed Case of Omicron in SNCO.PDF
Type: application/pdf
Size: 93731 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://collegehilltopeka.org/pipermail/neighbors_collegehilltopeka.org/attachments/20211229/200efcea/attachment-0001.pdf>