Harvey County News
Weekly update on COVID-19 cases in our county. We're under 50 known active cases for the first time since October!
Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine
Information about the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine, manufactured by Janssen Biotech Inc., a Janssen Pharmaceutical Company of Johnson & JohnsonHere is the latest update from the Harvey County Health Department regarding cases of COVID-19 in Harvey County:
▪️ Cases to date: 3,376 (37 new cases since Feb. 22)
▪️ Recovered to date: 3,273 (46 recovered since Feb. 22)
▪️ Known active cases: 44 (Down 11 since Feb. 22)
▪️ Deaths to date: 59
▪️ Current hospitalizations: 4
▪️ People tested to date: 13,873 (324 new people since Feb. 22)
▪️ Total PCR tests to date: 28,289 (548 new PCR tests since Feb. 22)
Additional statistics can be found at any time on our COVID-19 dashboard: www.harveycounty.com/covid19stats
In vaccine news, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted an emergency use authorization to the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Janssen (aka Johnson & Johnson). This is the third COVID-19 vaccine approved in the United States so far, joining Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. The Janssen vaccine is different than the other two in that it is a one-dose vaccine. We don't know yet if or when we'll receive the Janssen vaccine here, but we'll keep you posted as we hear more. You can learn more about the Janssen vaccine through this resource: www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/janssen-covid-1...
On the local vaccine front, the Health Department has provided first-dose vaccinations to 2,860 people to date. That number doesn't include vaccinations completed by other providers. Kansas remains in Phase Two of its COVID-19 Vaccination Plan. In Harvey County, we're continuing to focus vaccinations on county residents 65 and older, and also working through congregate settings such as emergency shelters, homeless shelters and senior living or adult care homes that weren't included in Phase One. These are still large groups, but with the help of our partners, we're making significant progress getting through them.
For all of February, Harvey County remained under 100 known active cases. In fact, today's report of 44 active cases is the first time the county has been under 50 since Oct. 12 (or 140 days ago). It's tremendous news that the number has slowly continued to trend lower. There's still more work to do, but we sincerely appreciate everyone that has helped get us to a better place than we were much of the winter.
As a reminder, several providers can help you get a COVID-19 test. Hesston Pharmacy, Harvey Drug and Gifts and WellHealth are a few of the locations. WellHealth is open at the Chisholm Trail Center Mondays through Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. You can schedule an appointment for a test at www.gogettested.com.
Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine
Information about the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine, manufactured by Janssen Biotech Inc., a Janssen Pharmaceutical Company of Johnson & JohnsonUpdate from NMC HealthUPDATED VISITOR RESTRICTIONS - AS OF MARCH 2, 2021
NMC HEALTH MEDICAL CENTER
Visitors are restricted – Patients may have TWO support people during their hospitalization, procedure, exam, etc. All visitors must be age 18 or older.
A support person is someone who the patient, or family if necessary, has identified to be very important to the patient getting medical care. NMC Health asks that these be the same people if the patient is in the hospital for multiple days.
Exceptions include the following:
-Requested Clergy
-The patient’s plan of care indicates differently to support a healing environment
-Visitors approved by House Supervisor or provider
If the patient is COVID-19+, NMC Health’s House Supervisor and Infection Control Officer must be consulted to determine if adequate safety precautions can be made to ensure the safety of the support person.
Approved visitors need to remain in the patient’s room or with the patient if able.
VISITATION HOURS
Patients and visitors may only enter the through the Emergency or Front entrances.
Front Entrance: Weekdays, 6 a.m.-6 p.m.
Emergency Entrance: Always open
NMC HEALTH CLINICS (IMMEDIATE CARE & SPECIALTY CARE CLINICS)
Visitors are restricted – To ensure social distancing protocols are followed, patients may not have a support person with them unless the patient is under 18 years old and/or has special needs.
ALL NMC HEALTH LOCATIONS
In addition to the above visitor restrictions, the following applies to all NMC Health locations:
All patients and support persons will be required to wear a mask upon entering NMC Health facilities.
Before entering any NMC Health location, patients and support persons will be required to have their temperature taken and answer screening questions for:
-Respiratory Symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath)
-Travel or mass gathering attendance in the last 14 days
-Close contact with a person that has suspected or confirmed COVID-19
Support persons with a fever of 100.4F or above, recent respiratory symptoms, and/or potential recent exposure to COVID-19 will receive further instructions and will be restricted from entering.
Virtual visits are encouraged, such as phone and video calls (Skype, Facetime, etc.). Patients may request a tablet to use from their nurse or case manager.
NMC Health reserves the right to change this policy without notification.
Check out the upcoming free virtual trainings being offered by the Kansas Suicide Prevention Resource Center. Sessions include Suicide Screening and Assessment, Suicide Intervention Skills: Basics, CALM and Suicide Safety at Home. Dates and times are on the attached flyer, to register click here: bit.ly/35mm2pk . #KsZeroSuicide #zerosuicide #KsPrevention
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/about-face-coverings.html
COVID-19 and Your Health
Symptoms, testing, what to do if sick, daily activities, and more.SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK 2021
Today starts Severe Weather Awareness Week in Kansas. We've had several people and organizations help us spread the message of severe weather safety in the past. We're revisiting some of those messages this week.
First up is Preparedness. Back in 2018, we talked with Chance Hayes, warning coordination meteorlogist at the National Weather Service office in Wichita, about ways you can receive important weather alerts and updates. It's important to have multiple ways to stay informed so you can stay safe during severe weather.
Severe Weather Awareness Week 2021 includes:
- Monday: Preparedness
- Tuesday: Tornado Safety
- Wednesday: Lightning Safety
- Thursday: Hail and Wind Safety
- Friday: Flood Safety
National Weather Service on ways to get weather information
National Weather Service on ways to get weather information
Weekly update on COVID-19 vaccinations from the Harvey County Health Department:
◾️ As of earlier this week, the Health Department has provided first-dose vaccinations to nearly 2,500 people (with several more that were on the schedule for today). That doesn't include vaccinations by other providers in the county, so the number of people vaccinated is larger than that. Along with our partners, we're making steady progress in Harvey County.
The Health Department is expecting to receive a distribution of 600 first doses of Moderna next week, as well as 600 booster doses to complete second-dose vaccinations.
◾️ We're still working through our waiting list of Harvey County residents 65 and older. There's still a little ways to go in this group, so if you're on our waiting list and haven't received your vaccination, hang with us. We'll call to schedule your appointment as we receive additional vaccine.
If you're a Harvey County resident 65 and older and aren't on our waiting list but would like to be, you can:
- Call 316-836-4990 (M-F, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
- Fill out our online form (English): www.surveymonkey.com/r/HarveyCOVID65
- Fill out our online form (Spanish): www.surveymonkey.com/r/HarveyCOVID65SP
◾️ We're still in Phase Two of the State's COVID-19 Vaccination Plan. As mentioned, our main focus continues to be those 65 and older. We're also conducting vaccinations for congregate settings such as emergency shelters, homeless shelters, and senior living and adult care homes that weren't included in Phase One.
We've completed or scheduled vaccinations for individuals that wanted vaccinations in the following groups in Phases One and Two: Healthcare-associated Workers, EMS, Law Enforcement, First Responders, and K-12 Employees. Anyone included in these groups that has not yet been vaccinated remains eligible to do so.
◾️ Here's our breakdown of how much vaccine the Health Department has received so far, including where it has gone or where it is scheduled to go. This is only what the Health Department has received, and doesn't include distributions made directly to other organizations:
PHASE ONE
🔹 200 doses (First and second vaccinations completed, totaling 400 doses. For EMS and healthcare-associated workers).
PHASE TWO
🔹 300 doses (First vaccinations completed, second vaccinations scheduled or completed, totaling 600 doses. For law enforcement, first responders and K-12 employees)
🔹 400 doses (First vaccinations completed, second vaccinations scheduled, totaling 800 doses. For 65 and older, law enforcement, first responders and K-12 employees)
🔹 500 doses (First vaccinations completed, second vaccinations scheduled, totaling 1,000 doses. For 65 and older, law enforcement, first responders and K-12 employees)
🔹 600 doses (First vaccinations completed, second vaccinations scheduled, totaling 1,200 doses. For 65 and older, law enforcement, first responders and K-12 employees)
🔹 600 doses (First vaccinations completed. For 65 and older)
🔹 600 doses (First vaccinations scheduled. For residents 65 and older, and congregate settings)
🔹 600 doses (First vaccinations to be scheduled with Health Department and Health Ministries using the county's current waiting list. For residents 65 and older, and congregate settings).
◾️ More information on COVID-19 vaccines can be found here: www.harveycounty.com/covid19vaccine
COVID-19 Vaccine
Harvey County is located in south central Kansas, along the Little Arkansas River. Harvey County is approximately ten miles north of the City of Wichita, and is within the northern portion of the Wichita Metropolitan Statistical Area. The County encompasses 540 square miles, is 18 miles wide in its....CS2021 Election - Rod Kreie filed a candidate declaration for the office of Newton City Commission.
Final call Newton PD Sgt Levi Minkevitch broadcast by Harvey County Communications Shift Supervisor Monica Leonard.
Final Call NPD 39
Final Call NPD 39
Today we say goodbye to a friend and brother. Rest in Peace Levi, we miss you so much.
The funeral for Newton Police Department Sgt. Levi Minkevitch is Friday. Many of our deputies will be attending the procession and services scheduled throughout the day. If you see our neighbors from the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office and the Kansas Highway Patrol in Newton and throughout Harvey County during that time, it's because they're helping cover law enforcement in the county so that we can spend our time honoring Levi. There's nothing quite like having law enforcement friends willing to help out anytime you need them - which sounds a lot like the person we're paying our respects to tomorrow.
Here is more information on Levi's services from the Newton Police Department:
Funeral services for Sgt. Levi Minkevitch are private; however, the family would like to provide the community an opportunity to pay their respects by lining the processional route during Levi’s final patrol.
The procession will begin near SE 14th and Kansas at approximately 11:45 AM on Friday, Feb. 26. The procession will continue north to N Main and then east on East Broadway. Community members are invited to line the procession route to show support to Levi, his family, and the law enforcement community.The funeral for Newton Police Department Sgt. Levi Minkevitch is Friday. Many of our deputies will be attending the procession and services scheduled throughout the day. If you see our neighbors from the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office and the Kansas Highway Patrol in Newton and throughout Harvey County during that time, it's because they're helping cover law enforcement in the county so that we can spend our time honoring Levi. There's nothing quite like having law enforcement friends willing to help out anytime you need them - which sounds a lot like the person we're paying our respects to tomorrow.
Here is more information on Levi's services from the Newton Police Department:
Funeral services for Sgt. Levi Minkevitch are private; however, the family would like to provide the community an opportunity to pay their respects by lining the processional route during Levi’s final patrol.
The procession will begin near SE 14th and Kansas at approximately 11:45 AM on Friday, Feb. 26. The procession will continue north to N Main and then east on East Broadway. Community members are invited to line the procession route to show support to Levi, his family, and the law enforcement community.
#HesstonStrong ❤️🤍🖤Five years ago, a gunman killed three people and injured several others in an incident that began in Newton and ended at Excel Industries in Hesston. The actions were unconscionable and unspeakably tragic, leaving a scar many people in our communities still feel to this day. Our thoughts continue to be with the victims and their families.
There are few silver linings to an event like this. However, the event showed that heroes are among us, ready to respond in the darkest of moments. It showed the resilience of our community support systems. And it showed that the people of Harvey County are always ready to help one another when we need it most.
We are #Hesstonstrong, today and every day.
Five years ago, a gunman killed three people and injured several others in an incident that began in Newton and ended at Excel Industries in Hesston. The actions were unconscionable and unspeakably tragic, leaving a scar many people in our communities still feel to this day. Our thoughts continue to be with the victims and their families.
There are few silver linings to an event like this. However, the event showed that heroes are among us, ready to respond in the darkest of moments. It showed the resilience of our community support systems. And it showed that the people of Harvey County are always ready to help one another when we need it most.
We are #HesstonStrong, today and every day.
Statewide tornado drill is next week 🗓🌪Severe Weather Awareness Week is next week, March 1-5. That includes the statewide tornado drill, scheduled for March 2 at 10 a.m.
We encourage all residents and businesses to recognize the importance of the tornado drill, but we also understand the need to keep COVID-19 precautions in mind. It's not ideal to gather everyone into one room, but at least consider communicating and reviewing your organization's shelter options with your employees and staff, whether that's at their work stations, email, or however best fits your capabilities.
It's a great reminder with the spring storm season just around the corner!
Severe Weather Awareness Week is next week, March 1-5. That includes the statewide tornado drill, scheduled for March 2 at 10 a.m.
We encourage all residents and businesses to recognize the importance of the tornado drill, but we also understand the need to keep COVID-19 precautions in mind. It's not ideal to gather everyone into one room, but at least consider communicating and reviewing your organization's shelter options with your employees and staff, whether that's at their work stations, email, or however best fits your capabilities.
It's a great reminder with the spring storm season just around the corner!Severe Weather Awareness Week is next week, March 1-5. That includes the statewide tornado drill, scheduled for March 2 at 10 a.m.
We encourage all residents and businesses to recognize the importance of the tornado drill, but we also understand the need to keep COVID-19 precautions in mind. It's not ideal to gather everyone into one room, but at least consider communicating and reviewing your organization's shelter options with your employees and staff, whether that's at their work stations, email, or however best fits your capabilities.
It's a great reminder with the spring storm season just around the corner!
Another video from Dr. Mike!
#bcbskspathways#bcbskspathways
HMC Med Kitchen | Episode 3: Roasted Pork Loin & Fall Veggies
HMC Med Kitchen | Episode 3: Roasted Pork Loin & Fall Veggies
Virtual movie and panel - sounds like a great way to get motivated for spring biking!
Thinking about doing a container garden or putting in some raised beds this year? Check this out!
#kdhecdrr #healthyKS #bcbskspathways
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Welcome to Harvey County
Nearly 35,000 residents call Harvey County home. The county landscape pairs picturesque country living with vibrant downtown shopping centers. Harvey County serves the cities of Burrton, Halstead, Hesston, Newton, North Newton, Sedgwick, and Walton, as well as 15 townships.
Harvey County is home to a bustling airport and train service, innovative economic leaders, sprawling parks, and welcoming school districts. Food and entertainment opportunities abound, with even more amenities within a short driving distance to our friendly neighboring counties.
Events Schedule
Mar 2 County Commission Meeting @ 9:00 AM |
Mar 9 County Commission Meeting @ 9:00 AM |
Mar 16 County Commission Meeting @ 9:00 AM |
Mar 23 County Commission Meeting @ 9:00 AM |
Mar 30 County Commission Meeting @ 9:00 AM |
May 10 Second-half Taxes Due @ 5:00 PM |
May 31 Memorial Day (County facilities closed) @ 12:00 AM |
