Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health, 200 Maine Street, Lawrence, KS (2026)

02/15/2026

Happy Valentine’s Day from our APRNs Nicole and Brittnay! 💕

They're here to remind you that roses are red, violets are blue… knowing your status is self-love, too.

This Valentine’s Day, make STI testing part of your routine care. It’s quick, confidential, and a simple way to protect yourself and the people you care about most.

Call 785-843-0721 to schedule your test. Practice safe s*x and share the love responsibly!

If you’re not having symptoms, please wait 2–3 weeks after a potential exposure before testing for the most accurate results.

02/14/2026

Dear WIC families,

Happy Valentine’s Day! Today is all about love, and that includes the love you pour into your family every single day. Take a moment today to remember: With WIC, you have a community behind you.

What you do matters, and we see you. We're here to assist you, cheer you on, and help your family thrive all year long.

With love,
Your friends at WIC ❤️

To learn more about WIC, please give us a call or text at 785-856-5350.

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Estimados familias de WIC,

¡Feliz Día de San Valentín! Hoy se trata del amor, y eso incluye el amor que usted entrega a su familia todos los días. Tómese un momento hoy para recordar que: Con WIC, tiene a una comunidad que le respalda.

Lo que usted hace es importante, y lo valoramos. Estamos aquí para ayudarle, animarle y ayudar a su familia a prosperar, no solo hoy, sino durante todo el año.

Con cariño,
Sus amigos de WIC ❤️

Conozca más en ldchealth.org/wic o llame o envíe un mensaje de texto al 785-856-5350 para conectarse con nosotras.

02/14/2026

As part of our ongoing monitoring, we track Douglas County, KS emergency department (ED) visits and wastewater levels to better understand how respiratory illnesses are spreading in our community. These tools give us an early look at local trends for COVID, flu, and RSV so we can share timely updates and guidance.

Flu ED visits are at 3%, while COVID and RSV ED visits remain at 0%, continuing a gradual downward trend in respiratory illnesses. There is no new wastewater surveillance data available to report this week.
This decline is an encouraging sign and suggests fewer people are experiencing severe illness. However, we are still in flu season, when respiratory viruses can spread more easily, especially indoors.

We encourage those eligible to stay up to date on COVID, flu, and RSV vaccinations to reduce the risk of severe illness. LDCPH has flu, COVID, and RSV vaccines available regardless of insurance status. If you have questions or need to schedule an appointment, please call our clinic at 785-843-0721.

We’ll continue monitoring trends and share updates as new data becomes available.

02/13/2026

During Wednesday’s work session, Commissioners received an update on “A Place for Everyone,” the community’s strategic plan to end chronic homelessness in Lawrence and Douglas County. The presentation highlighted progress in affordable and supportive housing, system coordination, emergency services and shelter, community engagement and peer support.
➡️ Watch the full discussion here: https://youtu.be/BWHhDuLBoIs?si=WjBzoQMs_YkzpKQp

Partner agencies include:
City of Lawrence, Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center DCCCA Family Promise of Lawrence Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority Senior Resource Center - SRC Tenants to Homeowners Inc Lawrence Habitat for Humanity - Serving Douglas & Jefferson Counties

02/13/2026

If you find a bat indoors, do not touch it with bare hands.

If someone may have had contact with the bat, please call LDCPH immediately at 785-843-3060.

Examples of possible exposure include:
- A bat touching bare skin
- Waking up with a bat in the room
- A bat near an unattended child or person unable to report contact

If you're not sure, please give us a call and we'll provide further guidance.

02/09/2026

As the weather gets chillier and winter flu and cold season continues, it’s important to take steps to prevent illness and to check in with you and your child’s health care providers. ❄️

To boost your winter wellness, prioritize sleep, take vitamin D supplements (with approval from your doctor), sip herbal teas to warm your body, use a humidifier to prevent nose bleeds and sore throats from dry winter air, and wash your hands regularly with warm soapy water. 🍵💤🧼

WIC also offers health care referrals and nutrition education to help your family stay healthy this season. In addition, LDCPH has flu, COVID and RSC vaccines available regardless of insurance status. If you have questions or need to schedule an appointment, please call our clinic at 785-843-0721.

Call or text 785-856-5350 to connect with WIC staff. New to WIC? Fill out our interest form at ldchealth.org/wicif.

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A medida que el clima se vuelve más frío y continúa la temporada de gripe y resfriados de invierno, es importante tomar medidas para prevenir enfermedades y consultar a los proveedores de atención médica suyos y de sus hijos. ❄️

Para mejorar su bienestar invernal, priorice dormir, tome suplementos de vitamina D (con la aprobación de su médico), beba tés de hierbas para calentar su cuerpo, use un humidificador para prevenir hemorragias nasales y dolores de garganta por el aire seco del invierno y lávese las manos regularmente con agua tibia y jabón. 🍵💤🧼

WIC también ofrece referencias para atención médica y educación nutricional para ayudar a su familia a mantenerse saludable esta temporada. Además, LDCPH ofrece vacunas contra la gripe, la COVID-19 y el VRS, independientemente de su cobertura de seguro médico. Si tiene preguntas o necesita programar una cita, llame a nuestra clínica al 785-843-0721.

Conozca más en ldchealth.org/wic o llame o envíe un mensaje de texto al 785-856-5350 para conectarse con nosotras.

02/06/2026

As part of our ongoing monitoring, we track Douglas County, KS emergency department (ED) visits and wastewater levels to better understand how respiratory illnesses are spreading in our community. These tools give us an early look at local trends for COVID, flu, and RSV so we can share timely updates and guidance.

COVID and RSV ED visits remain at 1%, while flu ED visits have increased to 4%. In Lawrence, COVID wastewater levels continue to trend downward and are now categorized as medium. However, flu and RSV wastewater levels remain high, indicating continued community spread. The decline in COVID wastewater suggests fewer new infections overall, but high flu and RSV wastewater levels signal ongoing transmission.

We encourage those eligible to stay up to date on COVID, flu, and RSV vaccinations to reduce the risk of severe illness. LDCPH has flu, COVID, and RSV vaccines available regardless of insurance status. If you have questions or need to schedule an appointment, please call our clinic at 785-843-0721.

Please practice everyday prevention, like handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home when you're sick. Lastly, please take extra precautions around higher-risk individuals, such as infants, older adults, pregnant people, and those with chronic health conditions.

We’ll continue monitoring trends closely and share updates as conditions change.

02/02/2026

Human papillomavirus (HPV) affects all genders and can lead to several types of cancer in men. The HPV vaccine can prevent over 90% of cancers caused by HPV. The vaccine works with your immune system to prevent HPV infection before exposure, making it one of medicine's most effective cancer prevention tools.

Talk to your health care provider about getting protected. One decision now could prevent cancer later. The LDCPH clinic offers the HPV vaccine for people ages 9-45 regardless of insurance status. To schedule your appointment or to ask about your vaccination history, please call 785-843-0721.

02/02/2026

No matter your family’s shape or story—if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or caring for a child under 5—you can get nutritious food, breastfeeding support, recipes, health referrals, and more from WIC. ✨

Call or text 785-856-5350 to connect with us. New to WIC? Fill out our interest form at ldchealth.org/wicif.

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Sin importar cómo esté conformada o cuál sea la historia de su familia, si está embarazada, en período de lactancia o cuidando a un niño menor de 5 años, puede obtener alimentos nutritivos, apoyo a la lactancia, remisiones de saluda y mucho más de WIC. ✨

Conozca más en ldchealth.org/wic o llame o envíe un mensaje de texto al 785-856-5350 para conectarse con nosotras.

01/31/2026

As part of our ongoing monitoring, we track Douglas County emergency department (ED) visits and wastewater levels to better understand how respiratory illnesses are spreading in our community. These tools give us an early look at local trends for COVID, flu, and RSV so we can share timely updates and guidance.

In Douglas County, Flu ED visits are 4%, and COVID and RSV ED visits are at 1%. In Lawrence, wastewater levels for all three viruses remain categorized as high, suggesting steady activity and ongoing community spread.

Even though ED visits are relatively low, high wastewater levels can reflect mild or unreported infections, meaning these viruses may still be spreading in homes, schools, workplaces, and indoor gatherings—especially during the winter months.

We encourage those eligible to stay up to date on COVID, flu, and RSV vaccinations to reduce the risk of severe illness. LDCPH has flu, COVID, and RSV vaccines available regardless of insurance status. If you have questions or need to schedule an appointment, please call our clinic at 785-843-0721.

Please practice everyday prevention, like handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home when you're sick. Lastly, please take extra precautions around higher-risk individuals, such as infants, older adults, pregnant people, and those with chronic health conditions.

01/29/2026

Emergency Management will host an Extreme Heat Readiness Workshop on Monday, March 9, at the fairgrounds to help the community prepare for an influx of soccer fans this summer. ⚽️

The free training will cover heat-related illnesses, National Weather Service alerts, safe operational adjustments and effective communication during extreme heat. ☀️

🔗 Details: dgcoks.gov/news/011526

Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical US National Weather Service Topeka Kansas Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health Lawrence Kansas Parks and Recreation

01/29/2026

New year, fresh start, same support. Whether you’re setting out to work towards new goals in 2026 or working on getting through the winter season, WIC is here to support you and your family!

We know that parenting isn’t easy, and the more people and resources you have on your team, the better. Getting started or keeping up with WIC is worth it! Set your intentions for a healthier year with WIC! Call or text 785-856-5350 to connect with us. New to WIC? Fill out our interest form at ldchealth.org/wicif.

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Año nuevo, un comienzo nuevo, el mismo apoyo. Ya sea que se proponga trabajar para alcanzar metas nuevas en 2026 o esté trabajando para superar la temporada de invierno, ¡WIC está aquí para apoyarlo a usted y a su familia!

Sabemos que ser padres no es fácil, así que mientras tenga más personas y recursos en su equipo, le irá mejor. ¡Vale la pena comenzar con WIC o mantenerse al día con ellos! Haga sus resoluciones para un año más saludable con WIC.

Conozca más en ldchealth.org/wic o llame o envíe un mensaje de texto al 785-856-5350 para conectarse con nosotras.

Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health

02/15/2026

02/14/2026

02/14/2026

02/13/2026

02/13/2026

02/09/2026

02/06/2026

02/02/2026

02/02/2026

01/31/2026

01/29/2026

01/29/2026

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