LARNED — Pawnee County continues to see a drop in COVID-19 cases as the county health department lowered the COVID risk assessment matrix to Level Green, which indicates no to minimal risk of spreading the virus. Pawnee County has dealt with fewer cases than in months past as conditions continue to improve.

The county’s weekly COVID report shows 1,132 cases as of Feb. 23, which is an increase of two cases from a week ago. Total community cases (excluding Larned State Hospital, individuals in long-term care and Larned Correctional Mental Health Facility) were 594, which is up by only three cases from last week. 

In the past 14 days, four cases have been identified and three cases in the last seven days. There have been no deaths reported from COVID-19 over the past week. The current county death total is 14.

“At the end of this week, the health department will have given 760 doses of vaccine which include 630 prime doses and 130 second doses,” said County Health Director Cheryl Hoberecht. “Masks and social distancing are still recommended even after receiving a vaccine.”