COVID-19 in Kearny County

Learn More About the COVID-19 Vaccine

Level 3 Visitation:

In an effort to control the spread of COVID-19, and in accordance with County Public Health Risk Level, CMS reequipments, and CDC guidelines, Kearny County is limiting the number of visitors per patient to no more than 1 at one time, effective immediately and until further notice. This includes instances of:

  • Comfort Care/End of Life Circumstances
  • Birth of a Child – allowed 1 visitor
  • Pediatric Patients/Legal Guardian – allowed 1-2 visitors

In addition, all visitation at High Plains Retirement Village is suspended effective immediately and until August 18, 2022. This decision was made for the safety of the residents, staff, and visitors of the High Plains Retirement Village in cooperation with Kearny County Hospital and Kearny County Health Department. This is not in effect for Assisted Living. Assisted Living will follow the hospital level 3 visitation restrictions as noted above.

This is a precaution to protect our patients, team, visitors, and communities. If a visit meets the above criteria, visitors will be screened before being approved to visit. All visitors should be free of symptoms, illnesses, and known exposure.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time. By putting these precautions in place, we are protecting our patients, team, and communities. For more information, please visit our websit3e or https://www.cdc.gov/…/community-mitigation-measures.html

Before Entering the Facility, Please Be Prepared to:

  1. Put on a Mask (masks are required)
  2. Sanitize Hands
  3. Socially Distance
  4. Be fever free (100.4 degrees or higher constitutes a fever) and free of all COVID-19 symptoms for over 48 hours if you are visiting. Symptoms include: Fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headaches, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.

If you have a fever of 100.4 or higher OR any of the listed symptoms and are here:

  • for CARE, please notify a registration team member right away.
  • to VISIT, please return home until you are feeling better and notify your primary care provider or local health dept. for further guidelines. Please do not return to visit until you are symptom free for at least 48 hours.

Before Entering the Facility, Please Be Prepared to:

  1. Put on a Mask (masks are required)
  2. Sanitize Hands
  3. Socially Distance
  4. Be fever free (100.4 degrees or higher constitutes a fever) and free of all COVID-19 symptoms for over 48 hours if you are visiting. Symptoms include: Fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headaches, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.

If you have a fever of 100.4 or higher OR any of the listed symptoms and are here:

  • for CARE, please notify a registration team member right away.
  • to VISIT, please return home until you are feeling better and notify your primary care provider or local health dept. for further guidelines. Please do not return to visit until you are symptom free for at least 48 hours.

How to Protect Yourself and Your Family Against COVID-19

Please continue to follow recommended precautions by the CDC, local and county health officials, including:

  • Get vaccinated
  • Wear a mask when indoors
  • Socially distance
    • Stay 6 feet away from others
    • Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces
  • Hand hygiene
    • Wash your hands often
    • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
  • Clean and disinfect regularly
  • Monitor your health daily
    • Be alert for symptoms
    • Take your temperature and follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop

Letters from Dr. Miller and Kearny County Health Department

To learn more about COVID-19 vaccines, please click here.

To learn more about vaccines at Kearny County Hospital, visit our Vaccine Hub.

As of 11/30/21 Letter from Dr. Miller on current conditions in the community. Click here.

As of 10/27/21 Letter from Dr. Miller on current conditions in the community. Information on booster shots. Click here.

As of 9/1/21 Letter from Dr. Miller on current conditions in the community. Click here.

As of 5/18/21 Letter from Dr. Miller on current conditions in the community. Information on the Pfizer vaccine is also in this document.  Click here.

As of 05/04/21- Letter from Dr. Miller on current conditions in the community. We are staying steady! Click here.

As of 04/06/21- Letter from Dr. Miller on current conditions in the community. We are making progress! Click here.

As of 03/09/21- Letter from Dr. Miller on current conditions in the community. Click here.

As of 03/02/21- Letter from Dr. Miller on current conditions in the community. Click here.

As of 02/02/21- Letter from Dr. Miller on the continuing trends. Click here.

UPDATE UPDATE As of 01/26/21 Letter from Dr. Miller on phase 2 recipients of the vaccine. Click here.

As of 12/22/20 Letter from Dr. Miller on the vaccine. Click here.

As of 12/8/20- Letter from Dr. Miller to the community. Click here.

As of 11/19/20- County update on masks. Click here.

As of 11/11/20- Pandemic update letter for the holidays. Please click here.

Letter from Dr. Miller as of 11/3/2020. Please click here.

As of 10/16/20, Kearny County is currently at COVID-19 Public Risk Level 4. Please continue to follow recommended precautions by local and county health providers. Read a statement from Dr. Drew Miller, Kearny County Hospital’s Chief of Staff and Kearny County Health Officer, on this latest update.

As of 10/15/20, due to the increase in cases, hospitalizations, and deaths related to COVID-19, the county has passed a resolution with two requirements:

  1. Limitation of mass gatherings to 25% of an indoor facility’s set occupancy limit.
  2. Requirement of mask or other face covering for all indoor public properties within the county.

Click here to read the official resolution from the Board of County Commissioners in Kearny County, Kansas.

As of 04/12/21, Kearny County is currently at COVID-19 Public Risk Level 1. Please continue to follow recommended precautions by local and county health providers, including:

  1. Wash your hands
  2. Wear a mask
  3. Watch your distance
  4. Sign up with your local health department to get the vaccine. 
COVID-19 Public Risk Level Guidelines