TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly held a press conference Monday to give an update regarding COVID-19 in Kansas, and announce a new unified testing strategy.
"Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have faced many unknowns while trying to slow the virus’s spread. As a result, Kansas’ and the nation’s virus response was made through trial and error.
I’m pleased to announce that the Kansas Department of Health and Environment is beginning Phase One of our unified COVID-19 testing strategy that, when complete, will coordinate both public and private testing efforts across Kansas.
Our new strategy seeks to increase routine screening in areas of the state with high, ongoing community spread of the virus. This will be valuable for at-congregate setting, such as nursing homes and schools.
Together with masks and recommended social distancing, we can better contain the virus – and Kansas schools and businesses can re-open responsibly.
We must locate COVID in our communities, keep Kansans safe, and give businesses looking to relocate to Kansas market certainty that we can provide them with the healthy workforce they need to thrive in our state."
Despite some technical difficulties in Topeka, you can watch the governor's comments.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 2037 to a total of 58,629 the state health department reported Monday afternoon. Coronavirus deaths were reported at 637, an increase of 5.
