TOPEKA —The Kansas Department of Health and Environment continues to closely monitor an outbreak of the respiratory illness caused by a novel coronavirus. As of Tuesday (3/10) evening, the state had 13 people under investigation for the virus and waiting for test results, according to a media release from the KDHE. Twenty-five have tested negative and only one person confirmed.

On Saturday, the state's first presumptive positive case of COVID-19 in a was confirmed in a Johnson County woman under the age of 50. As of Monday, the patient is at KU Med being monitored and doing well.

There are currently 21 patients Under Investigation and may need testing.

KDHE has created a toolkit of Kansas-specific guidance to help local public health departments engage with their community partners on COVID-19 planning. It can be found on the KDHE website.

KDHE has a phone-bank operation that is staffed during regular business hours through March 13. The phone number is 1-866-534-3463 (1-866-KDHEINF).

The KDHE also has an email address for general inquiries, [email protected]