By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Three COVID-related deaths were reported in Barton County this week
covid-19 Barton

Two COVID-19 clusters in Stafford were identified Wednesday by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Stafford USD 349 remained on the list for the third consecutive week; also on the list was Leisure Homestead Association, a long-term care facility in Stafford.

Every Wednesday, KDHE publishes locations that have had five or more COVID-19 cases with symptom onset in the past for 14 days. For USD 349, there have been 20 such cases, the last one identified on Monday, Nov. 22. Leisure Homestead Association has had nine cases, the last starting on Nov. 16.

Over the course of the pandemic, Kansas has had 461,163 COVID-19 cases, resulting in 15,582 hospitalizations and 6,673 deaths statewide as of 9 a.m. Wednesday. There were 2,943 new cases, 92 new hospitalizations and 30 new deaths reported since Monday, Nov. 22. There were three new deaths in Barton County and one in each of Rice and Stafford counties.


Area cases

Here are the total cases for area counties as of 9 a.m. Wednesday, with the change since Monday:

• Barton 4,273 (+30)

• Ellsworth 1,460 (+2)

• Pawnee 1,566 (+5)

• Rice 1,555 (+16)

• Rush 555 (+6)

• Russell 1,297 (+18)

• Stafford 723 (+14)


Area deaths

Here are the death totals for area counties as of 9 a.m. Wednesday, with any change since the last area deaths, reported on Nov. 17.

• Barton 66 (+3) 

• Ellsworth 31

• Pawnee 20

• Rice 16 (+1)  

• Rush 16

• Russell 33 

• Stafford 19 (+1)


Hospitalizations as of Wednesday

Barton County has reported 145 hospitalizations attributed to COVID-19 over the course of the pandemic, an increase of two since Monday. The number of intensive care unit (ICU) admissions remained unchanged at 30. The number of discharged patients reported to KDHE is 100, up two from Monday. The median age of Barton County patients admitted so far this month is 57.

Pawnee County has reported 68 hospital admissions, an increase of one since Monday. The total ICU admissions increased by one to 15. The 47 discharged patients reported to date have not changed. The median age of Pawnee County patients admitted so far this month is 69.

Stafford County has reported 28 hospitalizations, up two from Monday. The 10 ICU admissions reflected no change and the 18 discharged patients reflected an increase of one. The median age of Stafford County patients admitted so far this month is 33.