By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
COVID-19 cases had risen slightly in the state of Kansas in May, but new case numbers have steadied out for the most part. Kansas reports an average of 359 new cases over the last seven days as of May 30.
Doniphan County health director Sheryl Pierce says they only have two confirmed positive cases in the county currently.
"What we think, though, is that we likely have a lot more positive (cases) than that," Pierce told St. Joseph Post, "with everybody using their home tests. Home tests are not verified or confirmed by us. They're not worked up as a positive case so to speak."
About 37.6 percent of Doniphan County residents above the age of five have received at least one dose of the COVID vaccine, which is over 2,700 residents.
The Doniphan County Health Department in Troy still offers vaccine clinics every Wednesday from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 - 4 p.m.
The CDC on May 19 expanded eligibility for COVID-19 booster shots for kids ages 5-11. It is recommended that young children get their booster five months after their primary shots.
Pierce says their clinic in Troy has started to see younger kids getting boosters, but also other various age groups getting their primary doses.
"We are getting new primary clients who are coming in and getting their first dose also," she said. "So, that's a positive for us. We're real pleased about that. We certainly do recommend that booster. We don't know with the weather change in the fall if COVID is going to come back with a vengeance or not."
The health department also offers free testing to those who come in needing a test. Pierce says at-home tests are also available at their Troy clinic, and she says they're not a bad option.
"We also have free home tests we would pass out to anybody that just wants to have them on hand," Pierce pointed out. "It works out very good if they become ill on a weekend. Then, they can test prior to going to a religious service on Sunday. Instead of exposing people, you can get tested."
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