Barton County recorded its 58th positive case of COVID-19 Wednesday, and four more cases on Thursday.

Wednesday’s case was a male from the city of Great Bend, County Public Information Officer Donna Zimmerman said.

Thursday’s four cases were two males and two females. Three are from Great Bend and one is from rural Great Bend. 

Of the 62 cases, the number of active cases is now seven. There have been two deaths attributed to the virus.

There have also been 656 quarantine/isolation orders issued. Of those, 70 are still active. 

Statewide, as of Wednesday afternoon, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment reported there were 17,618 cases from 98 counties, with 1,269 hospitalizations, 282 deaths and 190,864 negative tests.

The Barton County breakdown of gender is as follows:

• Male - 27 

• Female - 35 

The county breakdown of residence is as follows:

• Claflin - 3

• Ellinwood - 7

• Great Bend - 46

• Rural Great Bend - 5

• 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.