By a 4-1 vote, Sedgwick County Commissioners voted to amend the health recommendations approved on March 24.
The board now strongly recommends that individuals become vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as they are eligible, consistent with CDC recommendations. The board also encourages businesses and organizations to determine in their best judgement whether to require individuals to wear masks or face coverings and/or to social distance from one another.
The CDC said on May 13 that fully vaccinated individuals no longer need to wear face masks indoors or social distance.
Dr. Garold Minns, local health officer, told the commission at least 50 percent or less of the county's population is unvaccinated, with around 200-300 new cases per week. He added that essentially all of the people that are currently in local hospitals battling COVID-19 are unvaccinated.
The health recommendations expire June 22.
Also on Wednesday, we received an update from the county finance department about the response to COVID-19.
Since March 17, 2020, the county has spend over $118 million, with $4.8 million left in CARES Act funding. County leaders also say that $9.3 million in state SPARK funding has been exhausted.
