Kansas's COVID-19 positivity rate surpasses 20 percent

Source: The Hill | October 22, 2020 | Alexandra Kelley

Over half of the state’s counties are not enforcing face mask orders.

With the Midwestern and Southwestern states emerging as the new COVID-19 epicenter in the U.S., states like New Mexico, Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Wyoming are recording record-breaking spikes in new daily cases. 

Kansas is just one of the approximately 33 states with rising COVID-19 case counts, but recently saw its seven-day rolling average testing positivity rate climb above 20 percent, well beyond the under 10 percent recommended to begin reopening public venues and economic sectors, The Associated Press reports.

This lead in positivity tests comes along with the highest new case count recorded over the entire course of the pandemic, which saw 991 new confirmed COVID-19 infections on Oct. 5.

Gov. Laura Kelly (D) announced a statewide mask mandate in June. AP reports that more than 90 of the state’s total 105 counties have decided not to enforce the order, prompting Kelly to ask for state legislators’ help in enforcing the mask order.

“We cannot sit by as the cases continue to rise in our rural communities, threatening lives and businesses,” she said.

Despite these figures, some have been critical of the universal mask order. State Senate President Susan Wagle (R) has stated that local governments should make decisions based on their individual communities.

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