June 2020
The BOCC returns to in person meetings and authorizes millions of dollars for PPE
(June 1) Johnson County announces new additions to its COVID-19 dashboard to help the public better understand the impact of the pandemic on the community. The dashboard enhancements include:
- Presumed recoveries
- Key trends
- Gating criteria
- Hospital utilization and capacity
- MED-ACT activity (ambulance)
- Long-term care facilities
Also on June 1, the county expanded its online payment portal for those whose vehicle registration expired in May, and several Johnson County Park and Recreation District summer camps licensed by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment opened up with several precautions including temperature checks, capacity limits, cohorting campers and masks for staff.
(June 11) The Johnson County Board of County Commissioners once again met in the Hearing Room at 111 S. Cherry St., Olathe, while following CDC guidance on physical distancing and limiting capacity in the hearing room. The public was still able to watch the live, or recorded, meeting broadcasts online and on Facebook.
At its June 11 meeting, the BOCC voted that Johnson County would follow the voluntary recommendations and guidance in the state’s Ad Astra: A Plan to Reopen Kansas. This includes washing hands, staying at home when sick, physical distancing from others, and wearing a mask when out in public.
(June 12) U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids visited a drive-thru testing clinic at the College Boulevard Activity Center in Olathe and discussed the county's testing strategy with JCDHE Director Dr. Sanmi Areola. Approximately 700 people participated.
(June 15) Johnson County Library opened all 14 of its branches with limited services and temporarily modified hours of operation. As they work to rebuild staffing capacity, modified hours will allow branch staff time to safely process materials and sanitize staff and patron spaces.
(June 25) Since early March, Johnson County struggled to keep up with the unprecedented need for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as surgical masks, gowns and face shields. At this meeting, the BOCC authorized $14,996,458 to be reimbursed with CARES Act funding for PPE for health care providers and public safety and emergency responders. The nearly $15 million allocation includes:
PPE stabilization: Approximately $6.3 million to stabilize and maintain the amount of PPE estimated to be needed by health care and public safety workers to get through the end of 2020, based on the county’s burn rate.
Developing a reserve: More than $8.4 million to create a three-month reserve of PPE supplies for health care and public safety.
Facility costs: An estimated $250,000 for receiving, storing and providing enhanced security for larger quantities of PPE.
(June 29) Johnson County Department of Health and Environment opened appointment-based, drive-thru testing behind its building on the Sunset Campus in Olathe. JCDHE also expanded its appointment-based testing to anyone who lives or works in Johnson County, Kansas, with or without symptoms. Previously, testing was only for symptomatic individuals who resided in the county.