LARNED — The Pawnee County Health Department has reported that about one third of the county’s population has been vaccinated for COVID-19. PCHD director Cheryl Hoberecht said the health department has vaccine available.

“At this point it is just the Moderna brand as Johnson and Johnson has been paused,” said Hoberecht. She noted that individuals who would like to be vaccinated can call the health department to schedule an appointment. 

“One of the big benefits besides not getting sick if you are exposed to coronavirus is that if you are considered fully vaccinated (two weeks out after the recommended dose of a particular vaccine) then you do not have to quarantine if said dose was given less than six months and you don’t have symptoms,” she said. “The research is ongoing and the time frame has already changed once so as time goes by this may extend even further.”

Hoberecht added that people who have received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine and who develop severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination should contact their health care provider. To schedule an appointment for vaccination, contact the health department at 620-285-6963.

Pawnee County COVID update

Pawnee County’s current COVID case total is 1,147 (three active cases) as of Tuesday, April 13, an increase of two cases from last week. Community case total (excluding Larned State Hospital, individuals in long-term care and Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility) is also up by two cases from a week ago at 609.  Five cases have been identified within the last 14 days and three cases within the past seven days. The county death total from COVID-19 remains at 13, unchanged for more than a month. The county remains at Level Green on the COVID risk assessment matrix. Level Green represents no to minimal risk of spreading COVID-19.