Barton County jumped from 32 positive cases of COVID-19 to 45, according to information released by County Public Information Officer Donna Zimmerman early Saturday morning. These thirteen new cases include seven men and six women, with ten of the 13 being from the city of Great Bend and the other three from rural Great Bend. 

This follows the 32nd case that was reported in a Great Bend woman Wednesday and the 31st case in a Great Bend woman reported Sunday.

Of the 45 cases, the number of active cases stands at 28. There has still been only one death attributed to the virus.

There have also been 390 quarantine/isolation orders issued. Of those, 121 are still active. 

The breakdown of gender is as follows:

• Male - 18 

• Female - 27 

The breakdown of residence is as follows:

• Claflin - 3

• Ellinwood - 4

• Great Bend - 33

• Rural Great Bend - 4

• Rural northeast corner of county - 1

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.