Ellis County Health Department is currently monitoring a rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in our county. Several people who have recently tested positive for COVID-19 attended house parties and visited bars in Hays on Friday, 8/14/2020, and Saturday, 8/15/2020. Congregating at parties and in bars increases your risk of becoming infected and accelerates community spread. If you participated in either of these activities between the hours of 8:00 pm and 2:00 am on Friday 8/14/2020 and/or Saturday 8/15/2020, you may have come in contact with an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19 and you are directed to monitor yourself for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days.
Potential COVID-19 symptoms include fever, cough, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, a new loss of taste or smell, fatigue, diarrhea, and/or shortness of breath/difficulty breathing. If you are experiencing symptoms that may be related to COVID-19, isolate immediately and seek guidance from your health care provider or the Hays Med COVID Hotline at 877-261-7140. If you are a Fort Hays State University student experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, contact the FHSU Student Health Center at (785) 628-4293 for guidance. If you believe you have been exposed to COVID-19, follow KDHE guidance on quarantine.
The Ellis County Health Department and Fort Hays State University have implemented COVID-19 related health and safety measures, and adherence to these measures can limit the spread of COVID-19 in our community. If you are a resident of Ellis County, a member of the Fort Hays State University community, or if you are a visitor to our area, please be diligent in wearing a face covering, maintain social distancing from others, and avoiding gatherings. Also, please continue to practice several basic health and safety-related precautions like washing your hands, covering your cough and staying home when you are ill.