County Administrator Phil Hathcock issued a statement Thursday evening, to clarify Barton County Health Officer Karen Winkelman’s COVID-19 quarantine recommendation letters:  

The Barton County Health Department received numerous complaints this past week regarding the recommended quarantine of Great Bend High School volleyball players. Barton County officials met with USD 428 administration on Tuesday to discuss the list of close contacts as identified by the school district and provided to the BCHD in addition to future protocols. KDHE guidance for calculating the beginning of a quarantine period can be subject to interpretation. Therefore, the Health Department consulted with KDHE for clarification. As a result, the quarantine period will be calculated at 14 days from the date of the last known contact with a positive case. This will reduce the issued letters of recommended quarantine by one day.

Barton County appreciates the countless hours Winkelman and her staff have devoted to this pandemic.  The Barton County Health Department strives to protect the public from this pandemic. We regret any confusion this may have caused and appreciate your understanding.