KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly and Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Dr. Lee Norman announced a formal statewide COVID-19 testing strategy Thursday.
They said the new strategy increases the number of available testing sites, as well as types of testing sites.
Kelly said the state’s goal will be to test 2 percent of the Kansas population, or 60,000 people, each month through the end of 2020.
Norman said nearly 70,000 tests were conducted in May.
The strategy also includes a rapid deployment force which can respond to locations at risk of an outbreak, such as an assisted living or correctional facility.
Norman said the force would be able to more quickly identify a case and test everyone at such a location.
Kelly said the state is working to acquire increased testing supplies, which Norman said will be “more strategically deployed.”
“I know Kansans are anxious to return to many summertime activities. I am too,” Kelly said. “Today’s announcement will continue to aid Kansas in the progress that will allow us to return to normal, but we must do so safely so that the sacrifices that all have made will not have been in vain.”
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