KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas is in the red zone for the number of new cases of COVID-19 compared to other states, Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Dr. Lee Norman said.
Wednesday, the state recorded its highest number of new cases in a single day since the beginning of the pandemic, with 1,969 cases reported.
The previous record was set Sept. 28 with 1,571 cases.
Norman said the state also is in the red zone for the number of deaths, with 2.3 per 100,000 people, compared to the national average of 1.5 per 100,000.
The state added 17 deaths Wednesday — the third deadliest day since Sept. 16.
The good news, Norman said, was that the state is in the green zone for the number of COVID-19 tests conducted.
The state announced a new unified testing strategy which coordinates public and private efforts, in addition to expanding testing to non-symptomatic individuals.
The downside, however, is that Kansas is in the yellow zone for its number of positive test results.
Norman said though testing in the state has increased, he believes the department could conduct even more.
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