Wednesday, December 29, 2021

12/29/21 - Public Notice - Accessibility of SARA Title III Hazardous Substance Information

 PUBLIC NOTICE 

ACCESSIBILITY OF SARA TITLE III HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE INFORMATION 


Section 324 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act, also known as SARA Title III (Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, PL99-499) requires public notice at least once annually informing the public of the means to access information about extremely hazardous substances that are manufactured, stored, and used within their community. Follow-up emergency notices may subsequently be issued. Accordingly, information concerning LEPC meetings, SARA Title III hazardous materials planning which is included in our Scott County Emergency Operations Response Plan, materials safety data sheets (MSDS/SDS), hazardous chemical inventory forms, listing extremely hazardous substances manufactured, stored, or used within Scott County can be obtained during normal business hours by contacting Scott County Emergency Management at 620-874-8547, or via email at tstoecklein@scottcountyks.com.

Friday, November 19, 2021

11/19/21 - KDHE Amends Travel & Exposure Related Quarantine List

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

November 18, 2021

Contact: Matthew.Lara@KS.gov

KDHE Amends Travel & Exposure Related Quarantine List

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has amended its travel quarantine list to remove the state of Alaska and the countries of Estonia, Isle of Man, Latvia, Lithuania and Serbia. The countries of Austria, Cayman Islands, Croatia and Gibraltar have been added to the travel quarantine list. An unvaccinated individual should quarantine if they meet the following criteria:

• Traveled between Oct. 7 and Nov. 18 to Alaska.

• Traveled on or after Oct. 22 to Barbados and Georgia.

• Traveled between Oct. 22 and Nov. 18 to Latvia and Serbia.

• Traveled on or after Nov. 4 to Faroe Islands and Slovenia.

• Traveled between Nov. 4 and Nov. 18 to Estonia, Isle of Man and Lithuania.

• Traveled on or after Nov. 18 to Austria, Cayman Islands, Croatia and Gibraltar.

• Attendance at any out-of-state or in-state mass gatherings of 500 or more where individuals do not socially distance (6 feet) and wear a mask.

• Been on a cruise ship or river cruise on or after March 15, 2020.

The travel and mass gathering quarantine period is seven days with a negative test result or 10 days without testing, with release from quarantine on Day 8 and Day 11, respectively. Further information on quarantine periods can be found on KDHE’s website: https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1640/Shortened-Quarantine-Guidance-PDF--12-8-20?bidId=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

For those traveling internationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is requiring testing within three days of flights into the U.S. For further information on this and other requirements, visit their website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

For those who are fully vaccinated (meaning it has been greater than two weeks since they completed their vaccinations) they are not required to quarantine regarding travel or mass gatherings if they meet all of the following criteria:

• Are fully vaccinated (i.e., ≥2 weeks following receipt of the second dose in a 2- dose series, or ≥2 weeks following receipt of one dose of a single-dose vaccine).

• Have remained asymptomatic since the travel.

Persons who do not meet the above criteria should continue to follow current quarantine guidance for travel or mass gatherings.

Additionally, people with previous COVID-19 disease are not required to quarantine following travel if they meet all of the following criteria:

• Have evidence of a previous infection supported by a positive PCR or antigen test

• Are within 6 months following infection. If an investigation was done documenting the date that symptoms resolved, or the date isolation measures were discontinued for asymptomatic patients, then the 6-month period can start from that end date. If those dates are not available, then the period will start from the date of the positive laboratory test. A serology or antibody test may not be substituted for a laboratory report of a viral diagnostic test.

• Have remained asymptomatic since the travel

Persons who do not meet all three of the above criteria should continue to follow current quarantine guidance for travel.

The travel quarantine list is determined using a formula to evaluate new cases over a two-week period, then adjusted for population size to provide a case rate per 100,000 population. This provides a number that can then be compared to the rate in Kansas. Locations with significantly higher rates -- approximately 3x higher -- are added to the list.

For more information on COVID-19, please visit the KDHE website at: http://kdhe.ks.gov/coronavirus

###

Friday, October 8, 2021

10/7/21 - KDHE Amends Travel & Exposure Related Quarantine List

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 

Oct. 7, 2021 

Contact: Matthew.Lara@KS.gov 

KDHE Amends Travel & Exposure Related Quarantine List 

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has amended its travel quarantine list to remove the country of Grenada. The state of Alaska and the countries of Bermuda and New Caledonia have been added to the travel quarantine list. An unvaccinated individual should quarantine if they meet the following criteria: 

* Traveled between Sept. 23 and Oct. 7 to Grenada. 

* Traveled on or after Oct. 7 to Alaska. 

* Traveled on or after Oct. 7 to Bermuda and New Caledonia. 

* Attendance at any out-of-state or in-state mass gatherings of 500 or more where individuals do not socially distance (6 feet) and wear a mask. 

* Been on a cruise ship or river cruise on or after March 15, 2020. 

The travel and mass gathering quarantine period is seven days with a negative test result or 10 days without testing, with release from quarantine on Day 8 and Day 11, respectively. Further information on quarantine periods can be found on KDHE’s website:

https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1640/Shortened-Quarantine-Guidance-PDF--12-8-20?bidId=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery. 

For those traveling internationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is requiring testing within three days of flights into the U.S. For further information on this and other requirements, visit their website:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery. 

For those who are fully vaccinated (meaning it has been greater than two weeks since they completed their vaccinations) they are not required to quarantine regarding travel or mass gatherings if they meet all of the following criteria: 

* Are fully vaccinated (i.e., ≥2 weeks following receipt of the second dose in a 2- dose series, or ≥2 weeks following receipt of one dose of a single-dose vaccine). 

* Have remained asymptomatic since the travel. 

Persons who do not meet the above criteria should continue to follow current quarantine guidance for travel or mass gatherings. 

Additionally, people with previous COVID-19 disease are not required to quarantine following travel if they meet all of the following criteria: 

* Have evidence of a previous infection supported by a positive PCR or antigen test 

* Are within 6 months following infection. If an investigation was done documenting the date that symptoms

resolved, or the date isolation measures were discontinued for asymptomatic patients, then the 6-month period can start from that end date. If those dates are not available, then the period will start from the date of the positive laboratory test. A serology or antibody test may not be substituted for a laboratory report of a viral diagnostic test. 

* Have remained asymptomatic since the travel 

Persons who do not meet all three of the above criteria should continue to follow current quarantine guidance for travel. 

The travel quarantine list is determined using a formula to evaluate new cases over a two-week period, then adjusted for population size to provide a case rate per 100,000 population. This provides a number that can then be compared to the rate in Kansas. Locations with significantly higher rates -- approximately 3x higher -- are added to the list. 

For more information on COVID-19, please visit the KDHE website at

www.kdhe.ks.gov/coronavirus. 

###

Monday, September 27, 2021

9/24/21 - Kansas Adopts CDC's Pfizer Booster Shot Recommendation

 From the Governor's Office...


For Immediate Release:         
September 24, 2021
          
Contact:
         
Reeves Oyster, Press Secretary
         
Reeves.Oyster@ks.gov
     

Kansas Adopts CDC’s Pfizer Booster Shot Recommendation

 

~~COVID-19 vaccine is safe, effective and free~~

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today announced Kansas will adopt the CDC’s Booster Recommendations and has authorized all COVID-19 vaccine providers to begin administering Pfizer booster shots to all eligible Kansans today.

“The COVID-19 vaccine is free, safe, effective, and it is our best tool to beat this virus,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Today’s announcement from the CDC will provide additional protection to the most vulnerable Kansans and our frontline healthcare workers. But our work to defeat this pandemic is not done. The best way for us to get out of this pandemic is to work together to ensure our friends, neighbors, and communities are all vaccinated against COVID-19.”

After thorough review, the CDC now recommends the Pfizer booster shot for the following Kansans whom have completed their primary Pfizer series:

  • People aged 65 years and older, regardless of a medical condition, should receive a Pfizer booster shot
  • Residents in long-term care settings should receive a Pfizer booster shot  
  • People aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions should receive a Pfizer booster shot
  • People aged 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions may receive a Pfizer booster shot
  • People aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may receive a Pfizer booster shot, based on their individual benefits and risks.

The vaccine booster dose only applies to individuals who completed the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine series at least 6 months ago. Eligibility for a booster dose based on an underlying medical condition will only require self-attestation – a prescription or assessment from a health care provider is not required.

The COVID-19 vaccine is the most direct path to ending this pandemic. To find a COVID-19 vaccine clinic visit Vaccines.gov.

###


Thursday, April 22, 2021

4/22/21 - KDHE Amends Travel Quarantine List

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

April 22, 2021

Contact: Kristi.Zears@ks.gov


KDHE amends travel quarantine list

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has amended its travel quarantine list to add the state of Minnesota and the countries of Argentina, Aruba, Bahrain, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Sweden and Turkey.  The state of Connecticut and countries San Marino, Estonia and Jordan have been removed from the quarantine list.

A comprehensive list of those individuals needing to quarantine includes visitors and Kansans who have:


  * Traveled on or after April 22 to Minnesota or the countries of Argentina, Aruba, Bahrain, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Sweden and Turkey.
  * Traveled on or after April 8 to Pennsylvania or the countries of Andorra, Bermuda, Curacao, Poland, Serbia or Uruguay.
  * Traveled on or after March 26 to Delaware, Michigan or Rhode Island or the country of Hungary.
  * Traveled on or after March 12 to New Jersey or New York or the country of State of Palestine.
  * Traveled between April 8 – April 22 to Connecticut.
  * Traveled between March 26 – April 22 to Jordan.
  * Traveled between March 12 – April 22 to Estonia.
  * Traveled between Feb. 26 – April 22 to San Marino.
  * Attendance at any out-of-state mass gatherings of 500 or more where individuals do not socially distance (6 feet) and wear a mask.
  * Been on a cruise ship or river cruise on or after March 15, 2020.

The travel quarantine period is seven days with a negative test result or 10 days without testing, with release from quarantine on Day 8 and Day 11, respectively. Further information on quarantine periods can be found on KDHE’s website https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1640/Shortened-Quarantine-Guidance-PDF--12-8-20?bidId=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery.

For those traveling internationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is requiring testing within three days of flights into the U.S. *For further information on this and other requirements, visit their website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery.

For those who are fully vaccinated (meaning it has been greater than two weeks since they completed their vaccinations) they are not required to quarantine regarding travel if they meet all of the following criteria:

  * Are fully vaccinated (i.e., ≥2 weeks following receipt of the second dose in a 2- dose series, or ≥2 weeks following receipt of one dose of a single-dose vaccine)
  * Are within 6 months following receipt of the last dose in the series
  * Have remained asymptomatic since the travel

Persons who do not meet all three of the above criteria should continue to follow current quarantine guidance for travel.

Additionally, people with previous COVID-19 disease are not required to quarantine following travel if they meet all of the following criteria:

  * Have evidence of a previous infection supported by a positive PCR or antigen test
  * Are within 6 months following infection. If an investigation was done documenting the date that symptoms resolved, or the date isolation measures were discontinued for asymptomatic patients, then the 6-month period can start from that end date. If those dates are not available, then the period will start from the date of the positive laboratory test. A serology or antibody test may not be substituted for a laboratory report of a viral diagnostic test.
  * Have remained asymptomatic since the travel

Persons who do not meet all three of the above criteria should continue to follow current quarantine guidance for travel.

The travel quarantine list is determined using a formula to evaluate new cases over a two-week period, then adjusted for population size to provide a case rate per 100,000 population. This provides a number that can then be compared to the rate in Kansas. Locations with significantly higher rates -- approximately 3x higher -- are added to the list.

For more information on COVID-19, please visit the KDHE website at: www.kdhe.ks.gov/coronavirus

 

###

Thursday, April 8, 2021

4/8/21 - KDHE Amends Travel Quarantine List

 For Emergency Managers and Local Public:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

April 8, 2021

Contact: Kristi.Zears@ks.gov

 

KDHE Amends Travel Quarantine List

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has amended its travel quarantine list to add several states and countries – Connecticut and Pennsylvania and the countries of Andorra, Bermuda, Curacao, Poland, Serbia and Uruguay. Two countries, Czechia and Montenegro are removed.

A comprehensive list of those individuals needing to quarantine includes visitors and Kansans who have:

  • Traveled on or after April 8 to Connecticut or Pennsylvania
  • Traveled on or after April 8 to Andorra, Bermuda, Curacao, Poland, Serbia or Uruguay
  • Traveled on or after March 26 to Delaware, Michigan or Rhode Island
  • Traveled on or after March 26 to Hungary or Jordan
  • Traveled on or after March 12 to New Jersey or New York
  • Traveled on or after March 12 to State of Palestine or Estonia
  • Traveled on or after Feb. 26 to San Marino
  • Traveled between Feb. 26 – April 8 to Czechia or Montenegro.
  • Attendance at any out-of-state mass gatherings of 500 or more where individuals do not socially distance (6 feet) _and_ wear a mask.
  • Been on a cruise ship or river cruise on or after March 15, 2020.

The travel quarantine period is seven days with a negative test result or 10 days without testing, with release from quarantine on Day 8 and Day 11, respectively.

Further information on quarantine periods can be found on KDHE’s website: https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1640/Shortened-Quarantine-Guidance-PDF--12-8-20?bidId=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

For those traveling internationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is requiring testing within three days of flights into the U.S.

For further information on this and other requirements, visit their website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

For those who are fully vaccinated (meaning it has been greater than two weeks since they completed their vaccinations) they are not required to quarantine regarding travel if they meet all of the following criteria:

  • Are fully vaccinated (i.e., ≥2 weeks following receipt of the second dose in a 2- dose series, or ≥2 weeks following receipt of one dose of a single-dose vaccine)
  • Are within 6 months following receipt of the last dose in the series
  • Have remained asymptomatic since the travel

Persons who do not meet all three of the above criteria should continue to follow current quarantine guidance for travel.

Additionally, people with previous COVID-19 disease are not required to quarantine following travel if they meet all of the following criteria:

  • Have evidence of a previous infection supported by a positive PCR or antigen test
  • Are within 6 months following infection. If an investigation was done documenting the date that symptoms resolved, or the date isolation measures were discontinued for asymptomatic patients, then the 6-month period can start from that end date. If those dates are not available, then the period will start from the date of the positive laboratory test. A serology or antibody test may not be substituted for a laboratory report of a viral diagnostic test.
  • Have remained asymptomatic since the travel

Persons who do not meet all three of the above criteria should continue to follow current quarantine guidance for travel.

The travel quarantine list is determined using a formula to evaluate new cases over a two-week period, then adjusted for population size to provide a case rate per 100,000 population. This provides a number that can then be compared to the rate in Kansas. Locations with significantly higher rates -- approximately 3x higher -- are added to the list.

For more information on COVID-19, please visit the KDHE website at: http://www.kdhe.ks.gov/coronavirus?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

###

Thursday, April 1, 2021

4/1/21 - Governor Kelly Signs Executive Orders to Maintain COVID-19 Response

4/1/21 - 1:54pm - UPDATE:  The Legislative Coordinating Council has revoked EO 20-14 which would have established a statewide mask mandate.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Under the recently passed SB40 all of the Governor's previous Executive Orders (EO's) became null and void at midnight.  Below is information regarding EO's the Governor put in place this morning to maintain the COVID-19 response.



For Immediate Release:         
April 1, 2021
          
Contact:
         
Reeves Oyster, Press Secretary
         
Reeves.Oyster@ks.gov
     

Governor Laura Kelly Signs Executive Orders to Maintain COVID-19 Response

 

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly today issued several executive orders to ensure Kansas can maintain critical pandemic response efforts to keep Kansans healthy, keep businesses open, and keep kids in school.

The orders Governor Kelly issued today extend provisions put in place by previous executive orders and include some updated provisions.

“Since the pandemic began, my administration has been laser-focused on supporting and protecting our communities and our economy,” Governor Kelly said. “Extending these orders will ensure that our efforts will not have been wasted, and that Kansans and businesses don’t lose the resources they need to get back to normal.” 

Several executive orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic were set to expire on March 31 in conjunction with the expiration of the state of disaster emergency. Senate Bill 40 includes a provision that revoked all executive orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic yesterday, but the Governor retains the authority to re-issue orders under the new process imposed by the bill.

The Governor today issued the following orders, which will generally remain in effect until rescinded or until the statewide state of disaster emergency expires, whichever is earlier:

###

Monday, March 15, 2021

3/12/21 - KDHE Amends Travel Quarantine List

 

For Emergency Managers and Local Public:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

March 12, 2021

Contact: Kristi.Zears@ks.gov

 

KDHE Amends Travel Quarantine List

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has amended its travel quarantine list to include two states – New York and New Jersey. Two countries have also been added - State of Palestine and Estonia while one has been removed, Seychelles. Several countries remain on the list including Mayotte, Czechia, San Marino, Montenegro and Seychelles.

A comprehensive list of those individuals needing to quarantine includes visitors and Kansans who have:

  * Traveled on or after March 12 to New Jersey or New York.

  * Traveled on or after March 12 to State of Palestine or Estonia.

  * Traveled on or after Feb. 26 to the countries of Mayotte, Czechia, San Marino or Montenegro.

  * Attendance at any out-of-state mass gatherings of 500 or more where individuals do not socially distance (6 feet) _and_ wear a mask.

  * Been on a cruise ship or river cruise on or after March 15, 2020.

The travel quarantine period is seven days with a negative test result or 10 days without testing, with release from quarantine on Day 8 and Day 11, respectively. Further information on quarantine periods can be found on KDHE’s website: https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1640/Shortened-Quarantine-Guidance-PDF--12-8-20?bidId=&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

For those traveling internationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is requiring testing within three days of flights into the U.S. *For further information on this and other requirements, visit their web page: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

 

For more information on COVID-19, please visit the KDHE website at: www.kdhe.ks.gov/coronavirus

Thursday, February 25, 2021

2/25/21 - President Extends National Emergency for COVID-19

 

President Biden sent a letter to Congress yesterday stating he will continue the national emergency for COVID-19 as authorized under the National Emergencies Act.

 

Continuation of the National Emergency Concerning the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: On March 13, 2020, by Proclamation 9994, the President declared a national emergency concerning the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause significant risk to the public health and safety of the Nation. For this reason, the national emergency declared on March 13, 2020, and beginning March 1, 2020, must continue in effect beyond March 1, 2021.  Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)),President Biden is continuing the national emergency declared in Proclamation 9994 concerning the COVID-19 pandemic. < https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/02/24/a-letter-on-the-continuation-of-the-national-emergency-concerning-the-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-pandemic/ > 

Tuesday, January 26, 2021

1/25/21 - Governor Kelly Signs Bill Extending Disaster Declaration

 

Governor Laura Kelly Signs Bill Extending Disaster Declaration, Allowing State to Continue Leveraging Resources for Pandemic Recovery

 

 

TOPEKA -  Governor Laura Kelly today signed Senate Bill 14 into law, extending the State of Disaster Emergency Declaration to March 31, 2021, and allowing for the continuation of certain resources, support, and regulations critical to Kansas COVID-19 response efforts.

 

“Extending the current disaster declaration is essential for our states COVID-19 mitigation efforts, allowing us to keep Kansans safe and healthy, keep our economy open, and get our kids back in school as quickly as possible”, Governor Laura Kelly said.

 

Among other resources and support, the disaster declaration allows Kansas to provide community-based COVID-19 testing, provide support to food banks and pantries, and provide hospitals and first responders with Personal Protective Equipment.

 

Though there are a number of COVID-19 response measures contained in SB 14, the key provision extends the current emergency declaration to March 31, 2021, providing a measure of stability and certainty for the states ongoing emergency response efforts.

 

The bill also contains the provisions of a number of executive orders that the Governor has issued during the pandemic, such as allowing establishments to continue the sale of alcoholic beverages for carryout consumption, expanding the ability of physicians to use telemedicine, and providing for temporary suspension of certain healthcare professional licensing and practice requirements.

 

Senate Bill 14 becomes effective upon publication in an emergency edition of the "Kansas Register" to be published tomorrow.

 

View the signed copy of SB14 here: https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/SB-14-Comms-Copy-with-signature.pdf

Thursday, January 21, 2021

1/19/21 - County Resolution 2021-5 Passed by BOCC Exempting Mask Requirements

At Tuesday's meeting of the Board of County Commissioners a resolution was passed to exempt Scott County from the requirement of masks or other face coverings in public. While this removes the local mandate, we still want to strongly encourage the wearing of masks in settings where social distancing of at least six feet is not possible during an extended period.