The Sedgwick County Health Department is collecting medical materials for a drive-thru clinic to test people for COVID-19.
Deputy County Manager Tim Kaufman addressed the Board of Commissioners in a special meeting on Friday.
“We’re hoping that we’ll see some additional materials come through the emergency management system...that would allow us to possibly put together a drive-thru clinic either late next week or early the following week, depending on materials being available,” Kaufman said.
Kaufman said that access to testing materials is the biggest issue the county faces at this point in the pandemic. The first case of the novel coronavirus in Sedgwick County was confirmed on Thursday afternoon.
In order to qualify for a test now, a patient must be experiencing significant breathing issues and have a fever of 100.4 degrees or higher. The Health Department is screening people via phone to determine whether they meet the criteria.
So far, about 20 people in the county have been tested, Kaufman said.
“If they don’t meet that criteria, then the health care providers are reserving the materials for people who do,” Kaufman said.
The Health Department is also in the process of expanding telemedicine options and waiving costs for senior citizens.
County to Close Most Facilities
During Friday's meeting, the County Commission voted to close a majority of county facilities through April 5.
That includes the Sedgwick County Zoo, Exploration Place, the Sedgwick County Extension Office and the Register of Deeds office.
“We are taking preventative measures to limit our employees’ and residents’ exposure to one another in order to do our part to flatten the curve,” Commission Chairman Pete Meitzner said.
The primary courthouse on Main Street will operate with limited public access. County tag offices and public health services like COMCARE will remain open.
