The City of Great Bend reports that individuals who attended the City Council meeting at Great Bend City Hall on Monday July 18, may have been exposed to coronavirus (COVID-19). 

The City of Great Bend encourages those who were present to monitor themselves for symptoms of COVID-19. Symptoms include fever, cough, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, fatigue, diarrhea, and/or shortness of breath/difficulty breathing. If symptoms develop, please stay home and contact your health care provider for guidance on testing. 

A statement issued by the City on Wednesday concluded, “We will continue to keep you informed and citizens as safe as possible as we serve the community.”

Area data 

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment reports that Kansas has had 827,301 COVID-19 cases as of 9 a.m. Wednesday, July 20, resulting in 8,966 deaths statewide. There were 7,626 new cases and nine new deaths reported since Wednesday, July 13.

With the exception of Russell County, all area Golden Belt counties showed a “high” weekly new case rate for the period starting July 9 and ending July 15. A “high” rate means 100 or more new cases per 100,000 people. Russell County had a “substantial” new case rate, meaning 50-99 new cases per 100,000 people for the week. The most recent five days were not included as data is expected to be incomplete.

Here are the weekly new case counts for are counties:

• Barton 40

• Ellsworth 18

• Pawnee 24

• Rice 26

• Rush 5

• Russell 5

• Stafford 9