March 14, 2020

Two days after being admitted to a Wichita hospital, a patient that tested positive for the novel coronavirus is now home.

On Saturday, a spokesperson for Wesley Medical Center said the Butler County man is home in self-quarantine.

Dr. Robert Wittler said it's a good thing that the patient is discharged.

"If you don't require care in the hospital, it's always good not to be in the hospital because, in the hospital there's a lot of vulnerable people. Plus you have the chance of infecting other hospital patients, but also healthcare workers," said Wittler.

Right now, Kansas has eight positive cases of the novel coronavirus. Johnson County has five positive cases and has declared a state of emergency. Wyandotte, Butler, and Franklin counties all report one positive case each.

One of the five cases in Johnson County is the first known "person to person transmission" of the virus in Kansas.

Wittler says the risk of getting the novel coronavirus here in Kansas is still low.

"The risk is low, not non-existent, and like everyone's been saying, the best way is to protect yourself is to wash your hands frequently. You know, try to limit touching your eyes, mouth, and face," said Wittler.

Sedgwick County officials say there are no positive cases in the county.

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A Wichita hospital has confirmed it's first case of the novel coronavirus Friday.

A spokesperson for Wesley Medical Center said Thursday night, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment notified them of a person who is presumptive positive for COVID-19.

Health officials say the patient is a Butler County man in his 70s who had traveled outside the U.S. The man was not traveling in a level three area.

Butler County says the patient had been back for only a few days before experiencing symptoms and going to Wesley Medical Center. They say the patient has had minimal contact with others since returning home.

Right now, the man is in isolation. KDHE is working with the local health department and CDC to identify and contact people who may have come into contact with him.

“Kansans should remain vigilant,” Dr. Lee Norman, KDHE Secretary said. “It’s important to live your lives, but it’s also important to take basic precautions like exercising good hygiene practices. It is up to each of us to do our part.”

Wesley Medical Center says they've instituted visitor restrictions which is normal protocol during heavy influenza outbreaks.

"We had already activated protocols for handling COVID-19 cases, including isolating the patient and following precautions to ensure the safety of our patients, colleagues and visitors," said Dave Stewart, Market Director of Marketing and PR.

Visitors and patients are being directed to use specific entrances to allow visitors to be screened. There are positioned supplies at points of entry, so that any potential symptomatic patient who arrives can be properly masked and immediately isolated to protect our colleagues and other patients.