Barton County officials Friday reported the sixth positive COVID-19 case in the county, this in a rural Great Bend resident with a travel history. The announcement follows the fifth case identified Tuesday in individual from Great Bend.  

“This does not mean that unidentified cases do not exist elsewhere in the county and precautions should be taken by all residents of the county in all areas,” said County Administrator Phil Hathcock.

“We continue to monitor the situation and take appropriate action, including the issuance of quarantine/isolation orders,” he said. So far, 64 quarantine/isolation orders have been served in various locations in Barton County by Sheriff’s Office deputies.

“This is a very serious and sometimes deadly virus,” Hathcock said. “We strongly encourage the public to take this pandemic seriously by practicing social distancing and staying home if at all possible.”

As of Friday afternoon, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment reported 1,705 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 375 hospitalizations and 84 deaths from the virus.

Hathcock said they will continue to provide further information as it becomes available.

Refer to the KDHE website for additional information and statewide statistics at www.kdheks.gov.