KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly revealed Monday the state has been classified as a red zone by the White House.
The designation relies on two factors: new COVID-19 cases over 100 per 100,000 population, and diagnostic test positivity results over 10 percent.
Kansas has reached both milestones, with 35,418 cases and 407 deaths in the state, according to 41 Action News data analysis.
Dr. Deborah Birx, White House coronavirus task force coordinator, spoke in Kansas on Saturday and said Kansas was close to being in the red zone.
The weekend’s addition of more than 1,000 new cases seemingly pushed the state over the brink.
Birx and Kelly urged Kansans to understand COVID-19 is present in both urban and rural communities.
“We are really asking all communities, whether you are urban or rural communities, to wear a mask inside, outside, every day,” Kelly said.
Kelly on Monday again stressed that the pandemic should not be considered a political issue, but rather an issue of public health.
“It doesn’t matter which side of the political aisle you’re on, or what size your community is — the data doesn’t lie,” Kelly said. “Wearing a mask works. Right now more than ever, we need Kansans to step up and do their part to slow the spread of the virus.”
The governor said the rising numbers are cause for concern to everyone, especially with students and teachers soon returning to school.
Kelly pointed out it’s been shown children can catch and spread coronavirus, which is concerning for teachers and their families.
“We will do everything in our power to protect [teachers’] health, and to support their efforts to continue giving Kansas students a world-class education,” Kelly said.
—
