<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1595202434504.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>
By
NICK GOSNELL
Hutch
Post
HUTCHINSON,
Kan. —&nbsp;Reno County Health Department Director Nick Baldetti says in terms of active case count, we're generally worse than we've been through most of the pandemic. The count briefly bounced above 50 active cases Monday morning."We're certainly trending in the highest number of active cases that we've had since the beginning of this event," Baldetti said. The numbers are constantly changing, but the general trend is in a higher case count direction with more coming on to the list than going off."If we are extremely conservative, technically, the tests positive that we're receiving now, if we look at the average two-week gestation period, plus you add the 7 to 10 day lag from the laboratory confirmation stage, the positives that we're running through right now have the potential of being active over the last three weeks, if that makes sense."This is why you have to act as if you're infected even if the test is still outstanding."Hopefully, individuals who get tested, they should be getting educated by their primary care physician to be isolating at home as soon as they are tested," Baldetti said. "You can see the challenge in investigation when there's a time lag and lag of confirmation because we're not immediately contacting case contacts who may very well have been exposed."Because of that, there are likely at least some people walking around either asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic within the county, so it is important to continue mask wearing and hand washing and proper respiratory etiquette, as well as staying home when you are sick.

Case count in Reno County generally on the rise, keep up masks and hygiene practices