Health
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.
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
Kansas lawmakers want to challenge a COVID-19 vaccine policy that doesn’t exist yet
Republicans in Kansas are intent on pushing back against a forthcoming federal vaccine policy for private employers. The only problem? It isn’t written yet. But the politics of a nonexistent policy are benefiting both sides.
Indigenous Community Center to host art show, cultural event this weekend
The Indigenous Community Center (ICC), a local nonprofit focused on healing and connection for our Native community, is hosting an Indigenous Day Art Show this Saturday alongside educational opportunities to promote intercultural understanding.
Kansas hospitals see off-season surge of RSV cases, sickening children and straining system
The highly contagious RSV is usually a winter virus, which means Kansas doctors typically see fewer cases over the summer. This year, however, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows state cases of RSV in Kansas took off in August.
Douglas County crosses threshold of 100 COVID-19 deaths after state verification
Douglas County has hit a grim milestone of 100 deaths from COVID-19, according to Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health’s Monday update.
Study: More than 60% of Kansas kids, 80% of Missouri kids have lead in their blood
Children in Kansas had elevated levels of lead in their blood at a greater rate than almost any other state, according to a massive national study published this week.
As COVID-19 clusters in Kansas schools increase, safety panel ramps up mitigation efforts
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is reporting a new death related to an active school COVID-19 cluster. This comes just one week after the death of a Kansas middle school student was announced.
Where to get your COVID-19 booster shot in Lawrence (if you’re eligible), starting Wednesday
Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health has announced that it will soon offer a drive-thru clinic at LMH Health for COVID-19 vaccine booster doses for those who qualify.
Lawrence Public Schools to begin COVID-19 testing to curb quarantines
Effective Monday, the Lawrence school district will follow new COVID-19 guidelines that will allow symptom-free students and staff to test out of quarantine.
Who will get a booster shot? A Q-and-A about what the feds are saying
Booster shots soon will begin rolling out to some Americans who received the two-shot vaccine made by Pfizer — after a contentious and confusing federal approval process that isn’t over yet.
Tribal health providers working to build on Kansas vaccination successes
In light of data showing Indigenous people are more likely to contract COVID-19, tribal health leaders are working toward further successes in vaccinating Native populations.
Kansas middle schooler death prompts urgency from COVID-19 school safety panel
The recent death of a Kansas middle school student from COVID-19 raised the urgency Wednesday of a panel focused on pandemic school safety to implement precautionary measures across the state.
Here’s a glimmer of hope that the delta surge in Kansas is slowing
This summer, the delta variant of COVID-19 filled Kansas hospital beds at a dizzying speed. A month ago, the numbers plateaued, then started a gradual downward slope.
Kansas foes of COVID-19 vaccinations push for political protection from mandates
A program sponsored by an anti-vax group offered a concentrated sample of activists, politicians and health professionals with an interest in minimizing government’s role in dictating individual health decisions, especially as it related to vaccines. Few wore masks.
Wondering how testing out of school quarantines works? The Eudora school district shares a look at the process
A COVID-19 testing program used since August in the Eudora school district aims to reduce quarantines. Students and staff exposed to a positive case can “test out” of quarantine as long as they don’t have symptoms and continue to test negative for the virus.
Douglas County Commission to consider extending mask mandate for children ages 2-11
The Douglas County Commission on Wednesday will discuss a possible extension of the countywide mask mandate for kids put into place last month.