HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Reno County Commissioners got an update from health Department Director Nick Baldetti regarding the COVID-19 outbreak.
Baldetti reported that as of Tuesday there are still two presumptive positive cases in the county. He said that 50 tests are currently out with about half coming back negative. Baldetti noted that those numbers will change as the number of people who were around exposed patients are starting to show symptoms.
As far as the two patients go, the first patient who is a woman over the age of 60 is still at home and is still doing well. Baldetti noted that this person contracted the virus in Israel. Her contact history is extensive with Baldetti noting that it is over 40 persons. Baldetti says those contacts are being asked to self-quarantine. The second patient who is a male over 40 is in intensive care at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center but is in stable condition.
Baldetti stated that they are working to find a good balance between keeping people safe and keeping businesses open and people working. Commissioner Ron Sellers said that he has heard from many businesses that they want to stay open. Sellers offered to the public that they re-intensify their self distancing efforts and take it upon themselves to adhere to gathering regulations.
Baldetti said that if the county works together they can get through this and if they act as individuals the county as a whole will fail. Baldetti says that for the most part people are self-isolating as asked. He said there are a small number of individuals who aren't. District Attorney Keith Schroeder is working on language that would allow the county health department to force quarantine an individual who refuses to adhere to requests to go into quarantine.
Sellers asked County Counselor Joe O'Sullivan to draw up language regarding a stay at home ordinance.