Barton County recorded its 58th positive case of COVID-19 Wednesday. This was a male from the city of Great Bend, County Public Information Officer Donna Zimmerman said. 

Of the 58 cases, the number of active cases stands at three. There have been two deaths attributed to the virus.

There have also been 643 quarantine/isolation orders issued. Of those, 59 are still active. 

Statewide, as of Wednesday morning, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment reported there were 16,901 cases, 1,235 hospitalizations, 280 deaths and 185,318 negative tests. The KDHE will update those numbers early this afternoon.

The county breakdown of gender is as follows:

• Male - 25 

• Female - 33 

The county breakdown of residence is as follows:

• Claflin - 3

• Ellinwood - 7

• Great Bend - 43

• 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.