Lyon County, Kansas – On April 19, 2020, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) confirmed the first known death of COVID-19 in Lyon County. The patient tested positive on 4/13/2020. The patient who died was a female in her 70’s, white, non-Hispanic.
This marks the first death caused by the novel Coronavirus in Lyon County. Contact investigations are ongoing and any identified close contacts have been quarantined at home and monitored for symptoms by Lyon County Public Health Staff.
“We wish to express our heartfelt sympathy to the family who lost their loved one,” said Renee Hively, Lyon County Health Officer. “No time is a good time to lose a loved one, but it is especially hard during this time in our lives.”
Lyon County Public Health reminds you, if you are experiencing symptoms such as a fever, cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider immediately. Do no visit in-person prior to receiving confirmation from that healthcare provider. Please adhere to the following recommendations:
• Avoid non-essential trips and stay home to the extent you can.
• Follow all recommendations regarding self-quarantine
• Avoid large gatherings (groups of more than 10)
• If you do need to go out in public, ensure you maintain six feet distance from other people.
The Lyon County Health Department has worked closely on these decisions with numerous community partners, including Lyon County Government, The City of Emporia, Lyon County Emergency Management, Newman Regional Health, Lyon County School Districts, and other local partners.
Lyon County residents can stay informed by visiting the Lyon County Public Health Department’s Facebook Page, https://www.facebook.com/LyonCountyPublicHealth/, www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus, or http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.
For general information, contact the KDHE phone bank at 1-866-534-3463 (1-866-KDHEINF) or email COVID-19@ks.gov . You may also contact the Lyon County Health Department information line at (620) 208-3741.