TOPEKA – Monday, Governor Laura Kelly released the total allocation amounts for each hospital participating in the Frontline Hospital Workers Retention Plan.

“This $50 million will help us retain and attract more frontline hospital workers as we continue to fight his virus,” said Governor Kelly. “For over 18 months, our health-care workers have risked their lives every day to protect Kansans from COVID-19. It’s our responsibility to make sure they have the support they need to continue. In the meantime, I encourage all Kansans to do their part to beat this virus by getting vaccinated immediately.”

As proposed by the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas (SPARK) Executive Committee, hospitals will receive an allocation based on the number of licensed, acute and intensive care unit beds in each facility.

Area hospitals

Clara Barton Hospital has 23 non-ICU beds and zero ICU beds. Its allocation is $91,534.

Ellinwood District Hospital has 25 non-ICU beds; allocation $99,493

Ellsworth Medical Center has 18 non-ICU beds; allocation $71,635

Pawnee Valley Community Hospital has 25 non-ICU beds; allocation $99,493

Rush County Memorial Hospital has 25 non-ICU beds; allocation $99,493

Russell Regional Hospital has 25 non-ICU beds; allocation $99,493

Stafford County Hospital has 25 non-ICU beds; allocation $99,493

University of Kansas Health System - Great Bend Campus has 33 beds, four of which are ICU beds; allocation $163,169

In September, the SPARK Executive Committee approved $50M in available funding for eligible hospital workers. Qualified facilities may use the funding for either premium pay as defined in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) or for funding a custom program designed by the facility to improve the retention of nursing resources and support personnel.  

To receive the allocation, hospitals must submit a completed application by October 29. Awards will be made on a rolling basis following application review. 

Kansas COVID-19 stats

To date, Kansas has had 419,341 COVID-19 cases, resulting in 14,238 hospitalizations and 6,142 deaths statewide as of 9 a.m. Monday. There were 1,699 new cases, 75 new hospitalizations and 15 new deaths reported since Friday.

Area case totals

Total cases for area counties as of 9 a.m. Monday:

• Barton 3,626 (+83 since Wednesday)

• Ellsworth 1,359 (+11)

• Pawnee 1,409 (+38)

• Rice 1,415 (+9)

• Rush 494 (no change)

• Russell 1,050 (+9)

• Stafford 544 (+9)

Area death totals

There were no new area deaths reported. The total for Rice County was adjusted to one fewer death than previously reported. Here are the death totals for area counties as of 9 a.m. Monday:

• Barton 56 

• Ellsworth 28

• Pawnee 15

• Rice 15 (-1 since last Wednesday) 

• Rush 15

• Russell 33 

• Stafford 14