Sedgwick County has no plans now for more COVID-19 measures

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The Sedgwick County Commission has no immediate plans to follow a White House task force report that lays out additional measures officials should take to slow the spread of COVID-19.

A White House Coronavirus Task Force report released Thursday by the Center for Public Integrity says communities and states were considered in the red zone if they had more than 100 new cases per 100,000 people in the week prior to the July 14 report.

Sedgwick County is in the “red zone” for cases, the Wichita Eagle reported. The report calls for more restrictive public health mandates, such as closing bars and more limits on gatherings.

“It’s a lot to comprehend to try to figure out what’s real and what’s not,” Sedgwick County Commission Chairman Pete Meitzner said.

Commissioner Lacey Cruse has been the lone board member to consistently push for tighter restrictions.

“It’s definitely time to look into stronger measures,” Cruse said. “We have a responsibility to slow the spread of this virus and we need to take measures to do that.”

Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple said Monday hospitals could reach capacities this month as the number of COVID-19 patients surge, based on a weekly call with hospital leaders and city and county officials.