News Release  11-13-20

Alma, Kansas, November 13, 2020 – Wabaunsee County currently has 98 residents who have tested positive and are isolated with Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19). This is a significant increase in a very short amount of time. While this total includes some residents and staff in the Eskridge Care & Rehabilitation Center, most active cases are in the general population. These cases have now impacted all three school districts, government offices and services, and some businesses.

As a result, this week, the County Commissioners, acting as the County Health Board, took two actions.

First, they issued a local health order reducing the size of mass gatherings to 45 people in both indoor and outdoor settings. Exceptions may be granted to those who complete a special event permit, including a Health Department-approved mitigation plan.

Second, they instituted a mandatory mask policy for all public business at the Courthouse and in all other County offices and buildings. All members of the public must have a mask in these locations and County employees will wear a mask during their interaction with the public.

Both of these actions went into effect on Tuesday, November 10, 2020 at 6:00am.

In addition, due to staffing shortfalls, the County Health Department is closed to the public through November 20, 2020.

All Wabaunsee County residents are reminded to exercise caution. The Center for Disease Control encourages each person to consider people, space, and time each time they make a decision to leave their home. How many people will you be around? In what kind of setting (e.g., indoor, outdoor, with proper social distancing)? And, for how long? Consideration of these measures will help reduce exposure to all residents and will prevent school closures, business closures,  and other disruptions to the community.

 For additional questions, contact Amy Terrapin at aterrapin@wbcounty.org.