TOPEKA, Kan. (KSNW) – Governor Laura Kelly held a press conference from the Topeka Statehouse Monday afternoon and provided updates regarding COVID-19 in Kansas, and announced a new unified testing strategy.

In her briefing, the governor provided the latest COVID-19 numbers in Kansas, including 2,037 new positive cases and five deaths since Friday.

There have been 58,629 infections, 2,852 hospitalizations, and 637 deaths in Kansas since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.

Governor Kelly shared her on-going concerns about the growing number of COVID-19 cases and presented a new unified smart testing strategy that when complete — will coordinate both public and private testing efforts across Kansas.

This testing strategy will include the continuation of diagnostic testing of individuals who are showing symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19.

“We will increase routine testing in areas of the state with community spread,” Governor Kelly said. “This kind of testing will be available at at-risk congregate settings such as nursing homes, correctional facilities and schools — especially if contact tracing has proven difficult,” she said.

The governor said, with shared goals and clear methods — this coordinated strategy will go a long way in ensuring we effectively test our population and identify where the virus exists in our communities. The governor said she plans to provide more details regarding the unified strategy in the weeks ahead.

Governor Kelly said to help our state draft and implement this incredibly important strategy, we brought in a highly qualified expert in the public health arena. The governor announced that Dr. Marci Nielsen, vice president for policy and strategy at GEHA Health, will guide the state through this process.

For the latest numbers and updates on COVID-19 cases in Kansas, click here. 

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