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Barton sees fewer COVID-19 cases
New case rate drops from ‘high’ to ‘substantial’
covid-19 Barton

Barton County saw four fewer new cases of COVID-19 for the period from Dec. 17-23 than it did the previous week, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. That dip was enough to take Barton County below the “high” weekly new case rate for the first time in many weeks. KDHE defines “high” as 100 or more cases per 100,000 people; Barton’s rate is now in the “substantial” category, defined as 50-99 cases per 100,000 people. Rice and Russell counties also showed a substantial new case rate, while other area counties – Ellsworth, Pawnee, Rush and Stafford – had a high new case rate.

Along with cases of COVID-19, Kansas has been hit by RSV and flu this month, prompting the Great Bend Tribune to close its front door to the public on Dec. 5 as a health precaution for employees and customers. That situation will be reevaluated next week. A dropbox is available at the front entrance at 2012 Forest Ave. for customers’ convenience. The Tribune is still operating and delivering the news.

Here are the new case numbers for area counties, followed by the rate per 100,000 people in each county:

• Barton 22; 85.3

• Ellsworth 13; 213

• Pawnee 11; 171.5

• Rice 8; 83.9

• Rush 4; 131.8

• Russell 5; 79.2

• Stafford 5; 120.3

As of 9 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28, there were 2,709 new COVID-19 cases and seven new related deaths reported statewide since Wednesday, Dec. 21.

COVID-19 case rate is mostly low to moderate in Kansas
coronavirus cdc

The rate of new COVID-19 cases statewide this past week was mostly low or moderate, with many counties reporting zero new cases.

Sparsely populated Sheridan and Hamilton counties had a “high” rate, with three new cases reported in each, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Those three cases translated to 118-119 cases per 100,000 people. 

Five additional counties: Decatur, Thomas, Lane, Morris and Cherokee, had a “substantial” new case rate, or 50-99 cases per 100,000 people.

All other counties had a “moderate” rate of 10-49 cases per 100,000 or a “low” rate of fewer than 10 cases per 100,000.

In central Kansas, the new case rates for Barton (10 cases), Rice (2) and Stafford (1) counties were “moderate,” while Ellsworth, Pawnee Rush and Russell counties had zero new cases for a “low” rate.

Those figures, released Wednesday, were for the period starting April 22 and ending April 28. The most recent five days were not included as data is expected to be incomplete.

Statewide, as of 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 3, there were 486 new cases and 13 new deaths reported since Wednesday, April 26.