The Riley County Health Department announced two new COVID-19 related deaths on Jan. 4, bringing the local total to 22 deaths. A 79-year-old male and an 82-year-old male passed away last week at Ascension Via Christi Hospital.
The 79-year-old man tested positive on Dec. 16 and passed away on Dec. 30. The 82-year-old man tested positive on Dec. 30 and passed away on Jan. 2.
Additionally, there are 116 new positive cases and 184 additional recoveries since the last report on Dec. 30. There are 283 active cases in the county.
In all, 4,728 people have recovered from COVID-19 in Riley County.
There are 14 positive patients hospitalized at Ascension Via Christi, four of whom are in intensive care. There is an additional possible positive patient in its care at this time.
Nearly 500 doses of the coronavirus vaccine have been administered by the Riley County Health Department in phases to medical staff and those who are critical to public safety.
Phase 1 should end near the end of January. The beginning of Phase 2 is unknown at this time. Vaccines are not available to the public yet.
Phase 1:
- Hospitals and Long-term care facilities
- Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
- Health Department Staff Most at Risk of Catching or Spreading the Virus (swab site/vaccination site workers)
- Urgent Care Services
Phase 2:
- Healthcare, first responders, and critical infrastructure in 5 levels of priority
- K-12 Education (teachers, bus drivers, staff members)
- Licensed Child Care providers and preschools, RCHD home visitors, etc.
- Frontline Behavioral Health and Social Services
- Public Transportation
