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.