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, Aug. 8, Barton County Administrator Phil Hathcock said Wednesday afternoon. Individuals who attended this gathering may have been exposed to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). 

The department encourages those who were at the above gathering during the identified day to monitor themselves for symptoms of COVID-19 for 14 days, he said. 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,” he said. 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.