A look at life after Gov. Laura Kelly’s statewide stay-at-home order ends May 3 was discussed at the April 23 meeting of the Ellsworth County Local Emergency Planning Committee.

Kerianne Ehrlich, supervisor of the county health department, said she doesn’t know what Kelly will do after that date. However, indications are the governor could allow for the gradual reopening of Kansas businesses affected by the COVID-19 shutdown.

If that happens — as opposed to extending the stay-at-home order — Kelly will basically lay out a reopening template containing several phases. The length of the phases would depend on the state’s reported COVID-19 activity.

“If things get bad, it could always go back to the start of phase one,” Ehrlich said.

A plan is expected this week from the governor’s office.

“I think what will happen is she will lay out a template plan, with county guidance from there with specifics,” Ehrlich said.

Ehrlich expects to organize a meeting this week of mayors, recreation and school district officials and others involved in the planning of this summer’s main events to get an idea of activities.

Ehrlich said she will err on the side of caution.

“A lot of people probably aren’t going to like that,” she said. “But I’d hate to make all the changes and let people start doing stuff then our numbers jump and we have to start all over again from scratch.”

Ehrlich said she wants the process to be as consistent as possible.

She asked to be notified of any large events taking place this summer.

“I might already have them on the list, but I’d rather know about all of them,” Ehrlich said.

Shelly Vopat, county clerk and elections officer, said she wanted to make an appointment with Ehrlich to discuss elections.

“I have to do it,” Vopat said.

Ehrlich said she understands that, but precautions will need to be taken due to the fact that those who count the ballots are in the population most vulnerable to acquiring COVID-19.

As of April 27, the statewide count for positive COVID-19 cases in Kansas was 3,328. Ehrlich said expanded testing for the virus is now taking place in counties with meat packing plants, as well as the hot spots of Wyandotte, Johnson and Sedgwick counties.

In addition, state officials discovered there were a couple of laboratories in Kansas which haven’t reported their testing numbers to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. That also added to the increased number of positive cases.

Ehrlich said both the county health department and Ellsworth County Medical Center are prepared for cases of COVID-19 to appear here.

“We’re ready,” said Andrew Bair, ECMC chief executive officer. “We’ve spent so much time getting ready for maybe some things that will never happen. In fact, some things that haven’t happened.”

Ehrlich said testing for COVID-19 continues in Ellsworth County. So far, 23 people have been tested for the virus, but there have been no positive results.

“I feel like we’re testing people who should be tested,” she added.

Ehrlich said Ellsworth County residents need to act as if the virus is here and people they interact with have it.

“You don’t know who could be a carrier,” Ehrlich said.

In other business:

• Jeff Florian of Ellsworth Correctional Facility said the prison has sent corrections officers to the Lansing Correctional Facility for three weeks. The officers will be quarantined when they return to the county.

• Keith Haberer, emergency management director for Ellsworth and Russell counties, said the U.S. House of Representatives passed $484 billion relief package for hospitals, small businesses and expanded testing for COVID-19 that afternoon.

Haberer said he still hasn’t received guidance from the state on elections and safeguarding election workers from the virus. However, the guidance he has received from the Kansas Department of Emergency Management has been clear. Personal protective equipment such as gowns, gloves and masks, will be distributed to healthcare workers and first responders — not election workers.

Haberer said he ordered more testing kits from the state, but hasn’t received them.

Ehrlich said the hospital has only 16 testing kits on hand.

“That’s why we’re keeping the testing criteria the same for Ellsworth County,” she added.

Bair said some places in the state have the testing kits, but no PPE, or vice versa.

“Nobody has the full meal deal,” he said. “We’re good for PPE right now.”

• Haberer said he traveled to Dickinson County recently to pick up a new portable electronic message board his department received through a grant from the North Central Regional Planning Commission in Beloit.