Officials announced Thursday afternoon that Barton County has confirmed the fourth known COVID-19 related death of a Barton County resident.
A news release issued by Barton County Public Information Officer Donna Zimmerman announced the news “with great sadness.”
“Our heartfelt sympathy goes to the family, friends, and caregivers.”
No additional information was available.
Multiple COVID-19 cases tied to birthday party
The Barton County Health Department has identified multiple positive cases of COVID-19 associated with a large birthday party gathering involving high school age young adults at a private residence in Great Bend on Saturday, August 8. Individuals who attended this gathering may have been exposed to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
A fourth confirmed COVID-19 related death in the county was not related to the party, Zimmerman said.
The Barton County Health Department released this information on Wednesday following guidance from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. More specific information the could violate privacy laws was not released.
The health department encourages those who were at the above gathering during the identified day to monitor themselves for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days. 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. In an emergency, call 911 and notify first responders that you were potentially exposed to COVID-19 and, if possible, wear a cloth face mask before they arrive.
Barton County Public Information Officer Donna Zimmerman reported nine new cases Thursday morning, among five males and four males. Five are residents of Great Bend, two reside in Hoisington and two reside in rural Barton County.
As of Thursday, Barton County has issued 1,576 quarantine or isolation orders and 370 of those are active. Of the 198 positive cases, 67 remain active and there have been three deaths.
Location, number of positive and number of active cases:
Claflin - 3 - 0
Ellinwood - 16 - 2
Great Bend - 104 - 28
Hoisington - 42 - 20
Olmitz - 1- 0
Pawnee Rock - 2 - 2
Rural Barton County - 30 -15
Statewide
KDHE reports 35,890 positive COVID-19 cases statewide as of Wednesday morning. There have been 2,090 hospitalizations and 411 deaths. There have been 323,950 negative tests.
