TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Health and Environment updated its COVID-19 statistics on Monday. As of 9 a.m. on Oct. 26, there have been 78,676 cases statewide, resulting in 3,646 hospitalizations and 976 deaths. There were 2,446 new cases, one new death and 62 new hospitalizations reported since Friday, Oct. 23.

KDHE notes that over the weekend, KDHE’s surveillance system, EpiTrax, received an update which has automated a process that was previously done manually. Monday and Wednesday, Oct. 28, there will be an increase in cases that were a part of the weekend update. Approximately 300 cases from the Oct. 26 update are attributed to that review.

The update does not affect the percent positivity rate or the number of people tested.

Great Bend USD 428

Great Bend USD 428 posts information about COVID-19 notifications on its website, greatbendschools.net. The district received two notifications on Friday, Oct. 23. As previously noted, a Great Bend Middle School tested positive. Also on Friday, USD 428 received notification that a Great Bend High School staff member tested positive. No additional quarantines were expected at the district level as a result of either case.