Kansas Gov. Kelly calls for testing of residents

While numbers show a steady decline in the number of new COVID-19 cases for the state of Kansas, Gov. Laura Kelly revealed her goal on Thursday to testing 2 percent of Kansas residents – 60,000 people – each month.

The plan to test residents is in part due to data that ranks Kansas low on the list of states for per-person testing.

Kelly and Lee Norman, Kansas’ top health officer, both released the plan and strategy to accomplish the goal at a press conference Thursday afternoon. The plan will rely on large amounts of supplies from the federal Department of Health and Human Services.

Considering the state’s testing abilities in February, Kelly says that statewide testing has come a long way. In February, the only labs that had equipment to test for COVID-19 were the CDC labs. After state and private labs had access to the correct testing supplies, Kelly said, results came back within two days.

Norman said that while testing is complicated, he, Kelly and her team have all come together to work on strategies that will help Kansans receive testing information back quickly and safely, according to a report by Topeka news station WIBW 13.

With the new testing plan more people will be tested, however, tests will not be available on demand.

Testing processed by the state’s lab will focus on individuals under investigation for possible exposure to COVID-19. Others wanting to be tested will generally have to get a doctor’s order, which will be processed by a commercial lab, according to an article written by The Wichita Eagle.

Included in the plan is the use of a mobile testing vehicle to increase the rate of testing in specific areas.

“I know Kansans are anxious to return to many summertime activities. I am too,” Kelly was quoted saying in The Wichita Eagle. “Today’s announcement will continue to aid Kansas in the progress that will allow us to return to normal but we must do safely so the sacrifices that all have made will not have been in vain.”