Health
Latest IN HEALTH NEWS
HIV, hepatitis testing to expand for underinsured Douglas County residents
New funding will allow two local health service providers to expand testing for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C through outreach for people who are uninsured and underinsured in Douglas County.
MORe HEALTH NEWS
USD 497 update to families
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.
David Condos / Kansas News Service
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.
Contributed
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.
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.
Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector
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.
Nomin Ujiyediin / Kansas News Service
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.
Meg Kumin of KU/Kansas Reflector
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.
August Rudisell / The Lawrence Times
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.


