The 55th positive case of COVID-19 was reported in Barton County Thursday morning. This was a male from the city of Great Bend, County Public Information Officer Donna Zimmerman said. 

Of the 55 cases, the number of active cases stands at 8. There have been two deaths attributed to the virus.

There have also been 568 quarantine/isolation orders issued. Of those, 86 are still active. 

The breakdown of gender is as follows:

• Male - 23 

• Female - 32 

The breakdown of residence is as follows:

• Claflin - 3

• Ellinwood - 7

• Great Bend - 40

• Rural Great Bend - 4

• Rural northeast corner of county - 1

A case reported on June 5 as being in rural Ellinwood was reclassified to the city of Ellinwood.

 The Barton County Health Department continues to identify close contacts of the individuals of each positive case, Zimmerman said. Close contact is defined as being within 6 feet for a prolonged period (10 minutes or longer) or having direct contact with infectious secretions. 

The BCHD will actively monitor the close contacts for 14 days for symptoms.  

“The public can help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by practicing social distancing and infection control,” she said.