DUNDEE — Pawnee County health officials continue to monitor potential effects of a large gathering of teenagers at the diversion dam near Dundee in late November.

According to a notification sent out by the county on Dec. 3, on the night of November 27, into the early morning hours of November 28, there was a large social gathering of teenagers at the diversion dam outside of Dundee in Barton County. An individual from Pawnee County, who was at the gathering, tested positive for COVID-19. County Health Director Cheryl Hoberecht said individuals from at least four different counties attended the gathering. The counties include but are not limited to McPherson, Pratt, Barton and Pawnee.

“While we strongly encourage the public to practice social distancing and wear masks, our goal here is not to debate what the teenagers did but rather to inform them of their exposure,” said Hoberecht. “We also informed them of their need to self-monitor for symptoms and get tested if they are not feeling well.”

She added that those, or someone they know,  who attended the social gathering could have been exposed to at least one or more people who are COVID-19 positive.  

The notification sent out by the county last week recommends self monitoring for 14 days from the date of exposure. Monitoring for this event will expire on Saturday, Dec. 12.

The diversion dam, off the Arkansas River, is a popular hangout for teenagers in Barton and Pawnee counties.

As of Dec. 1, Pawnee County reported 62 active cases of COVID-19 with 337 total cases. Numbers do not include positive cases from the prison inmates, Larned State Hospital residents, or long-term care residents at community facilities.

In a 2-1 vote at last week’s Pawnee County Commission meeting, commissioners moved to adopt a county-wide mask mandate in response to Gov. Laura Kelly’s Nov. 18 executive order requiring the wearing of masks in indoor spaces.