Pawnee County continues to lead central Kansas in the number of new COVID-19 cases reported, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

In the weekly cumulative incident rate for the period of May 7-13, Pawnee County reported five new cases with symptom onset that week. This was recorded as a “substantial” transmission rate, in the range of 50-59 cases per 100,000 population. Ellsworth, Stafford and Rush County’s rates were “low” (fewer than 10 cases per 100,000) and the rates for Barton, Rice and Russell counties was “moderate” (10-49 cases per 100,000.)

Statewide

To date, Kansas has had 782,802 COVID-19 cases, resulting in 8,802 deaths statewide, as of 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 18. There were 1,910 new cases and 82 new deaths reported since Friday, May 13, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

Beginning May 18, weekly reports from the KDHE will be published every Wednesday by 12:30 p.m.

Here are the total cases for area counties as of May 18, with any change since May 13: 

• Barton 6,508

• Ellsworth 2,016

• Pawnee 2,146 (+8)

• Rice 2,616 (+2)

• Rush 808

• Russell 1,883

• Stafford 1,140 (+1)

Great Bend USD 428 reported zero cases for the week starting May 16.