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Saints!

Friday
March 29th, 2024

coronavirusCourtesy photoROBERT PIERCE • Leader & Times

 

A COVID-19 case has been reported in Stevens County.

Friday, the Stevens County Health Department issued a press release announcing the first case of coronavirus there.

“The case involves a male who traveled to an area outside of Stevens County with a high incidence for COVID-19 transmission,” the release said. “The Stevens County Health Department is working to identify all close contacts of this individual and those who were exposed are being contacted. We have provided instruction to those case contacts to monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 to include fever and respiratory symptoms. No further information about the patient will be released.”

The release said the Kansas Department of Health and Environment has released guidelines for quarantine and isolation of travelers who visited locations in the United States where large numbers of people who have contracted the disease. The guidelines are available on the Stevens County Health Department’s Facebook page.

The health department is asking people to adhere to the following recommendations:

• Avoid non-essential trips and stay home as much as possible; 

• Follow all recommendations regarding self-quarantine;

• Avoid large gatherings (groups of more than 10); and

• If going out in public is needed, maintain six feet of distance from other people.

“The Stevens County Health Department has worked closely on these decisions with numerous community partners, including Stevens County government, the City of Hugoton, Stevens County Emergency Management, Stevens County Hospital and leadership of our local public school districts,” the release said.

Stevens County residents can stay informed by visiting the Stevens County Health Department’s Facebook page, www.kdheks.gov/coronavirus or www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.

For general information, contact the KDHE phone bank at 1-866-534-3463 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

“You may also contact the Stevens County Health Department information line at (620) 544-7177, or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.,” the release said.

Monday, Stevens County Public Information Officer Susan Schulte issued a press release emphasizing only one case of coronavirus had been found in that county.

“The Stevens County Health Department was contacted regarding reports on social media of two positive cases of COVID-19 in Stevens County,” she said. “The Stevens County Health Department contacted KDHE and received confirmation that an error was made when case counts were updated. Stevens County has only one positive case of COVID-19 at this exact point in time.”