LARNED — COVID-19 cases in Pawnee County increased by five from a week ago, according to figures released by the county health department on Tuesday, March 16. Despite the increase, Pawnee County remains at Level Green on the COVID risk assessment matrix. Level Green represents no to minimal risk of spreading COVID.

This week marks the fourth consecutive week the county has remained in Level Green. Current case figures from the Pawnee County Health Department (PCHD) show 1,142 cases (two active cases) which is up from 1,137 a week ago. Community case totals (excluding Larned State Hospital, individuals in long-term care and Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility) are 603, an increase of one from last week. 

Seven cases of the virus have been identified within the last two weeks and one case within the last seven days. Following state revisions earlier this week on COVID death totals, the death toll in Pawnee County was adjusted from 14 to 13. The county has not reported any deaths from COVID-19 in the last four weeks.

“We are still giving vaccine and next week will move with the rest of the state to Phase 3 and 4 which, at this point, we have not been advised from KDHE on how that will play out yet,” said Pawnee County Health Director Cheryl Hoberecht. 

As of March 11, PCHD had received 1,660 doses of COVID vaccine, including 60 transferred in, while Pawnee Valley Community Hospital had received 330 but transferred 42 doses out to other sources. Larned State Hospital had received 600 doses.