FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
04/22/2020; 2:00 PM
IDENTIFICATION OF COMMUNITY SPREAD IN FINNEY COUNTY AND POSSIBLE EXPOSURE TO COVID-19 AT FINNEY COUNTY TYSON PLANT
Finney County, Kansas – The Finney County Health Department has confirmed multiple positive cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) among employees at the Tyson Foods plant in Finney County. As we continue to receive more positive confirmations of COVID-19 across the county, local health officials have determined there is evidence of community spread of the disease. Finney County Health Department defines community spread as “five or more positive cases where the source is unable to be traced.” This has been determined due to the number of positive cases not related to in or out-of-state travel and evidence of the disease being spread from person-to-person in Finney County.
Governor Kelly’s office issued a press release on Sunday regarding additional testing supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) being sent to Finney County to better equip the county to respond to the positive cases at this facility. This is a collaborative effort between local, state, and federal partners to protect the nation’s food supply and health of our essential food workers. The supplies were delivered to Finney County on Sunday via Blackhawk helicopter.
In recent weeks, Kansas has struggled to obtain the necessary supplies needed to test and treat coronavirus patients. The State received their allocation of the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) in late March. PPE received from the SNS was quickly distributed to counties throughout the state based on population. Finney County is one of the recipients of these much-needed supplies.
Kansas Department of Health and Environment is working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to test and contain the recent clusters of positive coronavirus cases in Kansas counties centered around food and meat processing plants. Since the start of this crisis, the Governor and members of her administration have been in communication with those plants and representatives of their employees.
According to the Governor’s press release, the beef-processing facilities have modified several production and shipping systems and have taken proactive measures including temperature and health screenings, enhanced sanitation and social distancing.
Please continue to stay home and only leave your house for essential reasons. When you do leave your house, practice all precautionary actions, stay six (6) feet apart from other people, wear a cloth face mask when social distancing is difficult to maintain, and wash your hands often with soap and water for at least twenty (20) seconds.
Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and loss of taste and smell. If you are experiencing one of these symptoms, or suspect you may have been exposed to coronavirus (COVID-19), please call the Finney County Hotline at (620) 272-3600 to be screened.
