The Reno County Health Department has informed us the county is in the Yellow Zone for the week of May 3, 2021, the second consecutive week in the Yellow Zone. The 14-day positive test rate has dropped to 11.7 percent, compared to 17.3 percent last week and the new case count is 62 a slight dip from last week. Since the testing rate is very low, the new case count per 100,000 is what the Health Department is looking at for gating metrics.
The district has not changed its learning model and does not plan to do so for the remainder of the school year. Students who have not opted for remote learning will continue in-person classes.
The Reno County Health Department tells us the most important thing parents and their students ages 16 and older can do is to get vaccinated. The Reno County Health Department encourages students over 16 to be vaccinated so they would not be excluded from end of year activities if they were exposed to Covid-19. The Health Department would consider them immune for six months after they are two weeks post fully vaccinated.
Kansas is now vaccinating individuals 16 and older, vaccines do need to be age appropriate for the individual (Pfizer 16 years old and up while Moderna is for 18 years old and up).
You may go to https://vaccinefinder.org/ and find locations that have the brand you are looking for. Reno County Health Department is scheduling appointments and walk-ins or go online and visit the Hutchinson Clinic, Dillon’s pharmacies, Walmart or The Medicine Shoppe for availability.
We also should continue to social distance by more than six feet, wear a mask, frequently wash hands and stay home when you are sick.
If you are sick you may get tested through your provider or the Free Community Testing site. Log on to https://www.gogettested.com/ for more information and directions as to how to sign up.