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Geary County health department reports low COVID activity, small uptick in influenza and one pertussis case
Summary
County health staff reported emergency-room respiratory visits down overall, COVID ER visits at 0.8% and influenza at 0.4% of ER visits; public health staff also noted one pertussis case during the year and staffing adjustments to cover WIC services.
Geary County health department staff told commissioners the county’s respiratory season shows modest activity and that the department is managing staffing adjustments while continuing routine services.
The health department presentation reported that respiratory illness accounted for 16.5% of ER visits and that COVID made up 0.8% of ER visits, both down from the prior month. Influenza was 0.4% of ER visits; staff described that as a small increase but still low for peak season. Public-health staff also reported one locally identified pertussis case during the year (one of three total for the year countywide) and one salmonella case tied to improper food handling at home, not restaurants.
Staff said WIC caseloads and appointment volumes were on target for December. The department has not launched new initiatives but held joint psychological first-aid training with Fort Riley and Ponty Mental Health to help local staff respond to behavioral-health needs. Staffing shifts were described: the department is shifting an RN to cover WIC coordinator duties after difficulty recruiting for the coordinator position; one dietitian will leave next month due to a military move.
Public-health staff said the department’s clinic space renovations are nearly complete and public works is finishing hangings and fixtures; they invited commissioners to view the updated offices. No public-health emergency declarations or requests for additional county funding were made at the meeting.
