A new COVID-19 case has been confirmed in Cowley County, according to the City-Cowley County Health Department Monday.
“The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 cases in Cowley County has risen to three,” the news release stated. “The most recent test results on a local resident of Cowley County verify that the disease is currently present in the population and may be spreading.”
The health department said the newest case involves a young woman who has had no previous illness and lives and works in the county.
“As with all cases, this one is being carefully investigated and epidemiological tracing of the illness is currently underway,” Cowley County Public Health Officer Thomas Langer said. “All close contacts of the patient has been notified of possible exposure and are currently quarantined.”
“Some close family members are being tested and all contacts are being monitored for any change in health conditions. This specific case is especially concerning as it is the first true case that demonstrates the capacity of the illness infecting a previously healthy person.”
Langer said the patient had shown no symptoms and was previously interacting in the community in a “normal fashion,” including going to work, shopping and taking care of other necessary activities including medical appointments for children.
Langer added that her husband works for an out-of-town employer and has also been freely traveling up to this point.
“Everyone currently exposed by close contact is quarantined and will remain in isolation until the illness has passed,” Langer stated.
Gov. Laura Kelly’s stay-at-home order continues until May 3, but Langer wasn’t optimistic the county was on a quick path to normalcy.
“This new case along with other outbreaks occurring in rural counties in the state certainly casts doubts upon the ‘return to normal’ occurring quickly as many have been hoping for,” stated Langer. “If anything this should be a warning to everyone in our county that the illness is present and that everyone should continue to heed the current order and stay home.
“Additionally remember to keep your distance from others and to practice the prescribed personal hygiene tasks of frequent handwashing and surface disinfection around your homes and workplaces. Sadly it appears that we still have a long way to go before we will be past this initial outbreak period.”
The first positive case in Cowley County was confirmed on April 1. That man, Sam Crain of Ark City, died a week later on April 8.
Friday, a second case was confirmed involving a woman with dual residency in Oklahoma and Cowley County.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment reported 3,328 positive cases of coronavirus across the state Monday morning, along with 496 hospitalizations, 120 deaths and 23,839 negative tests.
According to the City-Cowley County Health Department’s website Monday, 165 people have been tested in the county.
Oklahoma has 3,280 cases of COVID-19 and 197 deaths, according to its latest report.
Kay County remains at 47 cases and 6 deaths.
