Updated Basic COVID Information
Things to Know about the COVID-19 Pandemic from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
Local COVID-19 Testing
GoGetTested.com/Kansas, to quickly identify free testing locations, including locations in Topeka. One location is in the parking lot of the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library. Make an appointment at GoGetTested.com/Kansas.
Additional local testing locations and options are updated on the website of the Shawnee County Health Department. Shawnee County residents should first call their Primary Care Provider to see if testing is available through that clinic location. Always call ahead before entering a primary care clinic.
Local COVID-19 Vaccine
The Shawnee County Health Department Vaccine page is the most current source of information for Shawnee County and includes links to partners and other information about COVID vaccine in our county.
Individuals or organizations that fit the outlined Phase 2 criteria, and who are interested in receiving a COVID-19 vaccine as part of Phase 2 are encouraged to complete the following survey: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/6149227/Shawnee-County-Health-Department-COVID-19-Vaccine-Interest-Form. Individuals that are unable to complete the survey online may call the COVID Hotline at 785.251.4949 for assistance in completing the survey. Other community groups may also help individuals complete this interest survey. Individuals will be contacted to make an appointment when vaccine is available.
Local COVID-19 Information
For a more detailed explanation of the score, view the Scorecard
Frequently Asked Questions and Fact Sheets from the Shawnee County Health Department
- Shawnee County Order (02/10/2021)
- Community Transmission and Severity Scorecard (02/11/2021)
- Resolution 2021-10: Shawnee County Health Order (1/28/2021)
- Sports Definitions and Clarifications: Resolution 2020-68(11/23/2020)
- Updates and Changes to Restrictions (11/12/2020)
- Home Quarantine Order (12/03/2020)
- 14 Day Symptom Tracker form (7/06/2020)
- Isolation and Quarantine Release Graphic (12/03/2020)
- Cold vs Flu vs Allergies vs Coronavirus (Adults) (09/22/2020)
- Cold vs Flu vs Allergies vs Coronavirus (Kids) (09/22/2020)
- FAQ Guidance on COVID-19 Test Results (7/29/2020)
- FAQ Isolation and Quarantine (5/12/2020)
- Recent Terminologies FAQ
Shawnee County
- Shawnee County Health Department COVID-19 Information frequently updated including public documents from the Health Department, the weekly Transmission and Severity Scorecard, and Emergency Health Orders.
- Shawnee County Health Department COVID-19 Dashboard (desktop) (mobile) The Dashboard is updated every afternoon Monday – Friday.
- Stormont Vail Health COVID-19 News and Information with Daily Updates link including COVID-19 hospitalization data and ICU/ventilator use.
- University of Kansas Health System – St. Francis Campus COVID information page
- Shawnee County COVID-19 Updates Facebook page This is the official Facebook page for COVID-19 updates in Topeka and Shawnee County, Kansas. This page is being managed by local private and public health organizations, public safety agencies and government agencies.
State
- Kansas COVID-19 Response and Recovery: Your source for community, family, mental, financial, & economic health.
- KDHE Coronavirus COVID-19 Response from Kansas Department of Health and Environment
- KDHE COVID-19 Dashboard summarizing cases, hospitalizations, deaths. Use the map for county level data, including Shawnee County.
National
- Get the latest public health information from CDC: coronavirus.gov
- Get the latest research information from NIH: nih.gov/coronavirus
- Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades Recursos para COVID-19 / Spanish Language CDC Resources for COVID-19
- Temas de Salud: COVID-19 Spanish Language National Institutes of Health Resources for COVID-19
- Johns Hopkins COVID-19 Dashboard by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University (JHU) includes interactive data map. Select a country for more detailed breakdown of data, including United States.
Mental Health Crisis Lines
Valeo
- Shawnee County Mental Health Crisis Line Valeo (ages 18+) Open 24/7 1-785-234-3300
Valeo COVID Crisis Counseling services 1-785-233-1730 ext 4152 through KSstrongertogether.org or 1-800-273-8255
Family Service & Guidance Center
- Shawnee County Mental Health Crisis Line FSGC (17 & under) Open 24/7 1-785-232-5005
Family Service & Guidance Center is participating in a State of Kansas initiative called “Kansas: Stronger Together.” Anyone who is struggling due to COVID-19 can visit www.FSGCtopeka.com/stronger and a staff member will get back to them to help connect them to local resources and information.
Community Resource and Referral Line – 211
- United Way 211 – Dial 211 from any phone to speak with a referral specialist 24 hours a day about COVID-19 or any other service needs you may have. Available in English and Spanish. 211
Resources for Food and Assistance
- United Way Resources – Dial 211 from any phone to speak with a referral specialist 24 hours a day about COVID-19 or any other service needs you may have. Available in English and Spanish.
- Community Resources Council updated local resources list for COVID-19 emerging needs
- Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging coordinates services for older adults.
- Meals on Wheels of Eastern Kansas serves seniors and homebound in Shawnee, Jefferson and Douglas counties.
- Need help finding food resources in Shawnee County? Here is a map of local food pantries, feeding sites and food giveaways. Enter your address to find resources nearby. Created and updated by Shawnee County K-State Research and Extension.
- Topeka/Shawnee County Local Food Assistance Resources, updated December 2020
Tax Forms and Assistance
Tax Forms and Assistance links to local resources and state/federal forms.
Eviction Prevention
Housing and Credit Counseling Inc
WiFi Access
WiFi Access in the library’s parking lot, community centers and other locations.
Local News Resources
Local news sources provide recent updated information on this emerging situation in our community.
- Topeka Capital Journal Online
- WIBW
- KSNT
- Kansas Reflector
- Online Newspaper Access with your library card
Lissa Staley
Lissa Staley helps people use the library. She is a Book Evangelist, Trivia Emcee, Classics Made Modern book discussion leader, NaNoWriMo Municipal Liaison, and frequent library customer. She loves her kids, being a librarian, living in Topeka, and helping people form connections and community. (She's the Community Connections Librarian!) She reads a new book every few days, but is enjoying the audiobook of "Empress of Forever" by Max Gladstone, the ebook "When We Were Magic" by Sarah Gailey and is eagerly awaiting John Scalzi's "The Last Emperox" in April!