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
Lawrence Memorial Hospital awaiting FDA approval to give COVID-19 booster shots
Lawrence health officials are ready and waiting for the FDA to give the word about COVID-19 booster doses, according to a community update from LMH Health. Also, here’s an update on COVID-19 inpatients by vaccination status.
Kansas anti-vax group boasts 16 sponsors ahead of ‘freedom rally’ in Lenexa
A prominent anti-vaccination group has planned a “freedom rally” for Monday in Lenexa with the sponsorship of a nursing agency, midwifery, dental office, chiropractors, pharmacies and businesses that promote the healing properties of elderberries, tea biotics, red light therapy, hemp and gluten-free baked goods.
How Kansas prisons dodged a delta COVID surge after getting hit hard early in the pandemic
Kansas prisons were hotbeds of coronavirus infections early in the pandemic, but vaccinations appear to have protected those inmates living in close quarters.
KU researchers optimistic about bringing in-home COVID-19 test to market
Researchers at the University of Kansas are aiming to place on the commercial market in early 2022 an in-home, saliva-based testing unit for COVID-19.
Four Kansas school districts temporarily close as COVID-19 outbreaks hit 31 schools
Kansas education commissioner Randy Watson says at least 31 Kansas schools are reporting outbreaks of COVID-19, forcing more school districts to close temporarily.
FAQ: What to know about Douglas County’s updated isolation, quarantine procedures for schools
The Times has compiled a list of frequently asked questions to help community members understand the guidelines for COVID-19 isolation and quarantine protocols.
School safety panel aims to keep kids in school while reducing COVID-19 outbreaks
Gov. Laura Kelly is urging a new COVID-19 school safety workgroup to focus on policies that will not only keep Kansas children and staff healthy but in the classroom, after hundreds of infections were reported in school districts across the state.
Lawrence Public Schools: 309 currently in quarantine, according to new data on COVID-19 info page
The Lawrence school district has added to its website a table of current COVID-19 cases and quarantines for students and staff. As of Monday, it showed a total of 309 in quarantine.
‘We demand better’: KU students, faculty call on administrators to mandate COVID-19 vaccines
University of Kansas students, faculty and staff members called on administrators to mandate vaccines on campus during a rally Sunday, expressing concerns about the ongoing surge of the delta variant of COVID-19.
Inside Mission Control: Hospital capacity in Kansas at its worst with latest COVID-19 surge
Richard Watson says the latest surge in COVID-19 infections has stressed Kansas hospital capacity to new extremes, nearing the point where doctors have “brutal conversations” about which patients they take care of.
Douglas County doula network strives to improve maternal and infant health in BIPOC community
Doulas help birthing individuals bring new life into the world. They’re also working to save lives here in Douglas County, where Black infants are twice as likely to be born prematurely or at low birth weight than white babies.
Quail Run Elementary identified as COVID-19 cluster site
A Lawrence school has landed on the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s list of coronavirus clusters. KDHE on Wednesday placed Quail Run Elementary, 1130 Inverness Drive, on its public listing of active outbreaks along with eight other Kansas schools.
Lawrence hospital: 3 deaths from COVID-19 over the weekend; 19 inpatients
LMH Health lost three patients to COVID-19 over the weekend, marking the fourth death from COVID in the past week, according to a community update Monday.
Kansas legislator navigates personal journey from hesitancy to acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine
Salina Rep. Steven Howe was among Republican conservatives in the Kansas House skeptical about COVID-19 vaccines, but encouragement of trusted friends and family convinced him to accept Pfizer’s vaccine in August.
LMH Health to require employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19
Lawrence Memorial Hospital has joined a growing number of hospitals and health systems that are requiring employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19.