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
Kansas health officials report 62 deaths from COVID-19 since Monday
Steve Stites, chief medical officer at the KU Health System, says the low rate of vaccination from COVID-19 and a lack of social distancing or wearing a face covering has allowed the delta variant to bring “so much of this country to its knees.” And it’s only the beginning.
Lawrence Times graphic
Lawrence health officials working to plan COVID-19 vaccine boosters for those who are eligible
The health department has been working with partners to determine how many Douglas County residents might qualify for COVID-19 booster shots.
Tessa Weinberg/Missouri Independent
AARP calls for vaccine mandates as COVID reenters Kansas, Missouri nursing homes
With cases on the rise among both residents and staff, the nation’s leading advocacy group for the retirees is calling on nursing homes to mandate COVID-19 vaccines.
Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service
Kansas investigates obscure but powerful part of the drug supply chain: Pharmacy middlemen
Kansas is investigating the pharmacy middlemen industry, which claims to drive down drug costs but profits as prices escalate.
KU announces its incentives for vaccinated students: $235K in prizes
The University of Kansas is not mandating that students get COVID-19 vaccines to attend classes this fall, but it has just sweetened the pot for those who do.
Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector
COVID-19 is killing more Kansans now than a year ago
More Kansans are dying from COVID-19 now than they were a year ago, as new cases continue to escalate and the vaccine rate remains flat.
Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector
Kansas hospitals hesitate to require COVID-19 vaccine for staff before FDA approval
Kansas health care providers aren’t ready to mandate COVID-19 vaccines for employees, despite rising COVID-19 case numbers and a desire to promote the efficacy of vaccines.
Tessa Weinberg/Missouri Independent
As threat of delta variant looms, 44% of Kansas nursing home staff are unvaccinated
In Kansas, just more than 56% of nursing home workers are vaccinated. The state ranks 35th.
Jeff Burkhead via LMH
Wave of new COVID-19 cases in Lawrence stalls vaccination data collection; 1 vaccinated person hospitalized at LMH
Until Friday, Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health had not confirmed any reports of vaccinated Douglas County residents being hospitalized with COVID-19.
August Rudisell / The Lawrence Times
Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health launches virus transmission indicator tool; county currently in Yellow phase
A new tool from Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health officials hopes to offer simple guidance to community members and help people understand current levels of COVID-19 transmission.
Prescription for faulty communication in operating rooms: Be explicit, not polite, study shows
Research by a University of Kansas linguist and University of Missouri-Kansas City physicians pointed to the potential medical harm of ambiguous communication in operating rooms that also complicated the training of surgeons.
Abigail Censky / Kansas News Service
Who can tell you to wear a mask in Kansas as COVID surges? It’s complicated
As the delta variant pummels Kansas, there’s confusion about who has the authority to issue pandemic restrictions that could curb the spread of COVID.
Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector
Kelly recommends mask policies, COVID testing and community partnerships for Kansas schools
New guidance Friday from Gov. Laura Kelly ahead of the start of classes recommends schools actively plan vaccination clinics, implement universal masking policies and create a robust testing plan for faculty and students.
August Rudisell / The Lawrence Times
Walk-ins welcome for COVID vaccines starting Monday at Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health
Anyone in need of a COVID-19 vaccine can get one without an appointment at Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health starting Monday, Aug. 2.
Lawrence Times graphic
Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health: Masks encouraged indoors for everyone ages 2 and up; schools to mandate masks
Story updated at 5:07 p.m. Tuesday: Following updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health issued a news release encouraging locals ages 2 and older to wear masks indoors, regardless of their vaccination status.


