Title: COVID-19 Information for Public Health
By: TABETHA KETZNER, Health Department Administrator

Category: Education, Health & Wellness

Article: COVID-19 Information for Public Health

The Cheyenne County Health Department works closely with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) to monitor people at risk for infection. At this time, the people with highest risk for COVID-19 are those traveling from China or people who have had close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case. As of February 26, 15 COVID-19 cases have been identified in the United States (12 travelers from China, 2 close contacts of travel-associated cases, and 1 case with no known exposure). All cases, including the one with no known exposure, have been identified through public health screening and monitoring systems. An additional 42 cases in the U.S. were repatriated from Wuhan, China or from the Diamond Princess Cruise ship.

If an individual is identified at risk for COVID-19 but is not currently ill, the individual would be required to remain at home for 14 days. They would be asked to watch for COVID-19 symptoms (fever of 100.4⁰F or greater, cough, shortness of breath) and take their temperature daily. The individual would need to contact the health department and their healthcare provider to receive laboratory testing. At that time, the health department would work with the individual to identify any close contacts at risk for disease exposure. All of their close contacts would be required to remain at home for 14 days after last exposure or until laboratory test results are negative.

The Cheyenne County Health Department is working closely with Emergency Management and community partners to keep our kids and community safe while making sure we are ready to respond if needed.

Health Department: 785-332-2381

Sandy Barber, RN
Tiffany Ochsner, RN
Candi Douthit, RN
Tabetha Ketzner, Administrator