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Latest IN HEALTH NEWS
Douglas County launching local program to restore people’s legal competency as they await trial
People who are booked into jails statewide have long waited several months — even more than a year — for beds at state mental hospitals, so their competency to understand court proceedings can be restored. Douglas County is now working on a local solution to that problem.
Douglas County launching local program to restore people’s legal competency as they await trial
People who are booked into jails statewide have long waited several months — even more than a year — for beds at state mental hospitals, so their competency to understand court proceedings can be restored. Douglas County is now working on a local solution to that problem.
See the latest COVID-19 stats for Lawrence and Douglas County on The Lawrence Times’ stat dashboard at this link.
Find out where you can get the free COVID-19 vaccine at this link.
MORe HEALTH NEWS
Former Kansas health secretary caught off-guard by firing, plans to keep fighting pandemic
As former KDHE secretary Lee Norman managed the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, he found himself at the center of a cultural battle between individual rights and the collective good.
Delta Dental board directors illegally seized power from Kansas dentists, court rules
Political appointees to the Delta Dental of Kansas board illegally extended their terms and stripped power from member dentists during a confidential meeting last December, a Sedgwick County District Court judge ruled Thursday.
Lawrence Times graphic
Lawrence hospital opens COVID-19 unit amid uptick in cases
Lawrence Memorial Hospital has opened a COVID-19 unit because of its recent uptick in COVID inpatients, the hospital said in a community update Thursday afternoon.
Kansas classroom safety panel grows increasingly concerned as students’ mental health issues rise
A rise in youth suicide rates and increased reports of anxiety and depression among school-age kids has a Kansas panel focused on COVID-19 safety in the classroom concerned as the pandemic drags on.
Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service
Kansas judge throws out abortion regulations, saying they infringed on women’s access to care
Abortion regulations in a law passed by the Kansas Legislature in 2011 have been thrown out by a Shawnee County judge who said they infringed on women’s access to care.
August Rudisell/@KsScanner
KU to ‘pause vaccine mandate’ following federal ruling
The University of Kansas is immediately pausing its employee COVID-19 vaccine mandate process, the chancellor’s office announced Tuesday morning.
Kansas hospitals, health officials prepare for omicron variant’s arrival
As confirmed cases of the omicron variant of COVID-19 begin to pop up across the country, Kansas health officials and hospitals are preparing for the variant’s arrival in the state.
Masks no longer required in Lawrence city buildings for those who are fully vaccinated
Effective Thursday, people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 do not need to wear masks in City of Lawrence-owned buildings, the city announced.
Kansas attorney general accuses KU, KSU of violating new vaccination exemption law
The attorney general notified Kansas State University and the University of Kansas that both were in violation of a new state law broadening access to religious or medical exemptions to federal COVID-19 vaccination mandates.
Federal vaccine mandate for health care workers in 10 states, including Kansas, blocked by judge
Enforcement of the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate for millions of health care workers was blocked in 10 states on Monday, after a ruling by a federal judge in Missouri.
White House imposes travel restrictions for Africa amid new COVID-19 variant
The White House is set to announce travel restrictions to eight countries in Southern Africa on Monday because of the discovery of a new coronavirus variant, according to senior administration officials.
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly signs special session bill allowing unvaccinated workers to keep jobs
Gov. Laura Kelly has signed legislation passed during a special session Monday, clearing the way for unvaccinated workers to keep their jobs in the face of federal mandates.
Lee Norman steps down as Kansas health secretary, months after internal dispute
Lee Norman stepped down Thursday from his high-profile cabinet post as the chief medical officer in Kansas, where he managed the state’s response to COVID-19 throughout the pandemic.
Norman retreated from public view in June following a tense exchange with the governor’s chief of staff, who wanted Norman to stay in his lane and avoid sensitive political issues when speaking to news reporters.
Health agency urges Kansans to take COVID-19 precautions for holiday season
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is advising Kansans to follow the pillars of infection control and take steps to keep themselves and family safe from COVID-19 during the holiday season.
Kansas makes COVID-19 booster shots available for all adults
All fully vaccinated Kansans over the age of 18 are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 booster shot, Gov. Laura Kelly announced Wednesday.
