[College Hill Topeka] Fwd: Media Release: COVID-19 Indicator Report and Community Update

Thu Jul 22 18:38:25 CDT 2021

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Rachelle Vega-Retana <rvretana at topeka.org>
Date: Thu, Jul 22, 2021 at 1:51 PM
Subject: Media Release: COVID-19 Indicator Report and Community Update
To:

*Topeka, Kan.* – The Shawnee County Health Department (SCHD) continues to
closely monitor COVID-19 trends in our community. Over the last four weeks
the weekly case incidence has nearly quadrupled while percent positivity
and hospitalizations have tripled locally. With these increases the
Community Indicator has risen to the Substantial summary index for the
first time since the week of February 14, 2021.

For the last reporting period (7/11-7/17/21) weekly cases rose to 178
positive COVID-19 cases, which was higher than the number diagnosed for the
entire month of June. Percent positivity also increased to 5.9%, which is
above the threshold (5.0%) which indicates community spread. The last time
both cases and percent positivity were this high was in mid-February.
Through four days of reporting this week, 176 positive COVID-19 cases have
been reported to the SCHD, indicating that numbers will likely continue to
increase during the next reporting period.

These increases continue to be driven by the emergence of the Delta
variant, which is 60% more contagious than previous variants. Viral
sequencing has identified the Delta variant as the dominant community
strain in Shawnee County, making up nearly three-quarters of all sequenced
COVID-19 specimens since June 1. Early infection with the Delta variant has
frequently been mistaken for allergies or a “common cold” before more
significant symptoms develop later in the illness.

The vast majority of cases and hospitalizations in Shawnee County continue
to be in unvaccinated individuals. In fact, Shawnee County has only
documented 91 total vaccine breakthrough cases or just over 1 vaccine
breakthrough case for every 1,000 fully vaccinated residents. Nearly 77,500
Shawnee County residents have completed their vaccine series, which
represents 44 percent of the total population. Weekly updates regarding the
status of Shawnee County’s vaccination efforts can be found on the SCHD
Vaccine Webpage here
<https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.snco.us%2fhd%2fCOVID19_Vaccination.asp&c=E,1,2r3BKuPvmLvkN9FleYCKqa2OiZvKpiyBKEwtX4_qGYtG9vsGxLaOyRBJWz9rjOoRbEVt_nJwfot-e0wMLQc5-nWgkZF-cG_IhkrtBRM470c,&typo=1>
.

Since the beginning of June the SCHD has identified 15 separate outbreaks
in congregate settings; including long term care facilities, childcare,
group living, camps, and correctional facilities. In a majority of these
instances the initial source of the COVID-19 outbreak has been an
unvaccinated individual bringing the virus into the facility. Additional
transmission then continued within these facilities amongst unvaccinated
individuals. The Shawnee County Health Officer and SCHD advise that masks
be worn by all staff and any unvaccinated children and adults in these
settings to stop the spread to our community’s vulnerable populations.

Additionally, the SCHD continues to strongly encourage residents to protect
themselves by getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Many opportunities exist in the
community and can be found on SCHD’s Vaccine webpage
<https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=http%3a%2f%2fwww.snco.us%2fhd%2fCOVID19_Vaccination.asp&c=E,1,KFzfzRtKu7M9wX3413g4fa7y0snVQTvBmPKJ4e2yHQRhfJdCpIzLJf1ITGC1BJ6bhpV3-Dy4OOZMETkF0mIDlkrM-r6PRw9Vr6LX5x1JUdo,&typo=1>
or through the CDC’s Vaccine tool
<https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.vaccines.gov%2f&c=E,1,es0cvpmkRRh3rpiA9Ga4lYC1WG4GpmkYt3zT3oRW83VyiU6KiSoJnF1-cDXjdkLz0SrCwR-9xiXfQIRepuf52725wFWlxlM4RFGuvE_bXdAfTM3o3wYz&typo=1>.
In addition, organizations and groups can request a SCHD-sponsored COVID-19
vaccine clinic by completing this survey
<https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/6424209/Shawnee-County-COVID-19-Vaccine-Clinic-Request-Form>.
Questions regarding COVID-19 vaccine can be sent to CovidVaccine at snco.us.

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.gogettested.com/kansas
<https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=http%3a%2f%2fwww.gogettested.com%2fkansas&c=E,1,HA9LucNm34sD7gD6ClrWHdkdZC17AmAUl0WaTJQUgWaNCwSYDtnHsjc_S5xcTZ75jp-8oi40sGfo2j7OyZ3psPZdC2ly7rtuJ8cdR7iA2z84itkcKTGzTw,,&typo=1>
or contact your healthcare provider.

*Attachment:* Shawnee County Community Indicator Report 07222021

*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/
<https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=http%3a%2f%2fwww.shawneehealth.org%2f&c=E,1,gaT0THLfs1Rc7UIiyfKk1ACes64PjuQ4Kn_L2TEuxCokrQ405f7aFSmDF8rWLutWK5c0NTA4SJ8esX4LKkRZOofa10UhHKYFN34d516jsxS6aY2WjqE,&typo=1>

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: 40772 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://collegehilltopeka.org/pipermail/neighbors_collegehilltopeka.org/attachments/20210722/22900c93/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/20210722/22900c93/attachment-0003.png>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: 07222021 COVID-19 Indicator Report and Community Update.pdf
Type: application/pdf
Size: 309702 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://collegehilltopeka.org/pipermail/neighbors_collegehilltopeka.org/attachments/20210722/22900c93/attachment-0001.pdf>