COVID-19 isn’t the only health threat this month. Health experts note that RSV and flu, along with COVID-19, continue to pose a triple threat that is filling many hospital beds.

The Great Bend Tribune closed its front door to the public for two weeks, starting Dec. 5. This was done as a health concern for employees and customers. A dropbox is available at the front entrance at 2012 Forest Ave. for customers’ convenience. The Tribune is still operating and delivering the news.

The rate of new COVID-19 cases was high throughout most of Kansas this past week, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

“High” is defined as 100 or more new cases per 100,000 people, and that was the case for 88 of 105 Kansas counties. Fifteen more counties had a “substantial” rate of 50-99 cases per 100,000. Meade County’s two cases placed its rating at “moderate,” or 10-49 cases per 100,000, and Greeley County had zero new cases.

The ratings, released Wednesday, were from the period from Nov. 26 through Dec. 2. The most recent five days were not included as data is expected to be incomplete.

Rush and Ellsworth counties were among the 15 counties showing substantial new case rates; the rest of area counties had a high rate. The number of new cases, followed by the number of new cases per 100,000 people, is shown for area counties:

• Barton 31; 120

• Ellsworth 5;82

• Pawnee 21; 327

• Rice 19; 199

• Rush 3; 99

• Russell 8; 117

• Stafford 10; 241

As of 9 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, there were 4,256 new COVID-19 cases and 13 new deaths reported statewide since Wednesday, Nov. 30.