Though there are only two confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Reno County through Monday at noon, it's important to note that it is likely that number will grow in the coming days.
Reno County Health Department director Nick Baldetti notes that there are still dozens of tests to be processed by the state lab, and statistically, it's likely at least a handful of those will be positive. The presumptive positive rate in Johnson County as of Monday was 7.65%. That rate is not available for Reno County at this point.
The regular meeting of the Reno County Commission is scheduled for Tuesday at 9 a.m. and Baldetti is on the agenda to give an update on the COVID-19 situation in the county.
It's also important to note the number of presumptive positive cases as a function of the population. With two positive cases in a county population of 62,510, the percentage of positive cases is .003% of the population.
Johnson County had 31 positive cases as of Monday in a population of 591,178, which is .005% of the population and they are part of a multi-county Shelter In Place order. Though Baldetti would not commit to a specific number where a Shelter In Place order is on the table, it would only take 4 positive cases in the county to reach a greater statistical distribution of presumptive positive cases here than they currently have in Johnson County.
Language for such an order is being drafted, should it become necessary.