Tuesday evening, the Barton County Health Department released information about a second positive case of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Barton County. 

Testing was confirmed the afternoon of Tuesday, March 31. Health Department officials report the case involves a male patient from the City of Claflin over the age of 60 with a known travel history. No further information about the patient will be released.

“The Barton County Health Department is working with KDHE on intensive patient contact investigation” the release states. “This individual will be asked to provide contact information. We are relying on the individual to identify whom he had contact with while symptomatic. Any identified persons who are at risk of exposure will be contacted as soon as possible. The Health Department will monitor all known contacts for fever and respiratory symptoms.” 

A contact is defined as exposure with the affected person for more than 10 minutes within a 6-foot perimeter. It’s important to remember, whether you have or have not been tested: Persons need to be isolated for 7 days from the on-set of symptoms OR 72 hours after fever is gone without the use of fever reducing medication AND there has been a significant improvement in symptoms, whichever is longer. The BCHD asks individuals to practice good hygiene by coughing into your sleeve, frequently washing your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or more, disinfect high touch areas continually and practice social distancing by maintaining a 6-foot perimeter.