The Barton Community College Child Development Center (CDC) is temporarily closed due to the identification of an individual who is a confirmed positive case of COVID-19 being present during their infectious time period, college officials announced Saturday. 

According to a statement from Brandon Steinert, director of Public Relations & Marketing, a response plan was created quickly but carefully as a joint effort between CDC staff, Barton Community College administrators and the various state and county agencies involved with managing the spread of COVID-19, including the Barton County Health Department.

Barton County Health Department may issue orders to the CDC staff and children who attend the CDC to quarantine in their homes until, tentatively, September 5. The orders will include educational materials that may address additional questions the recipients may have, and will include an on-call number for BCHD personnel. The orders from the BCHD may be helpful for parents to provide to their employers, if needed. 

The CDC took many measures to prevent exposures, including frequent hand washing of all children, including upon arrival and departure, frequent disinfecting and more. 

Barton and the CDC will be taking some extra precautions beyond the recommendation from the BCHD during the quarantine and closure to prepare for reopening, including enhanced cleaning and exploring additional measures to further reduce the potential for future exposures. While it was not recommended by the BCHD, regular and student employees will be tested before return to the CDC.