HUTCHINSON, Kan. — With projections leaning to a positive side, Reno County Health Department Director Nick Baldetti urged residents to stay the course when it comes to the state's stay-at-home order.
Baldetti made his remarks during the County Commission meeting Tuesday. Baldetti says what they are seeing is a chance to keep the number of cases lower and thus prevent an overrun of medical facilities. So far, the county has 11 cases of COVID-19, although it's likely more have had, or currently have, the virus, according to Baldetti.
Baldetti says there is simply not enough information and too many unknowns to have an exact date as to when things might level off when it comes to COVID-19, but projections show the virus could peak around the middle to end of April in the area as long as current precautions are taken.
Baldetti also says he expects the governor to extend the stay-at-home order past the current April 19 deadline.
Emergency Management Director Adam Weishaar says he is seeing an outpouring of donated supplies, but more are needed. Weishaar said they are working with everyone possible to acquire the necessary protective gear. Still, Weishaar admitted the county will likely run out of the needed protective equipment in the near future.
Baldetti again said that, if we continue to do the right things, the impact the virus has on the area could be lower than first thought, but the public needs to continue to do its part. Baldetti says they are moving in the right direction, but to ease restrictions on the stay-at-home order now could reverse that trend.
The Health Department says 55 residents have filed a self-reporting form on COVID-19. Baldetti says about 30 self-reports offered contact information. The phone interviews with those who self-report are fairly long ones. Commissioner Ron Sellers asked Baldetti if there was a way to speed up the process. Baldetti wanted Sellers to know that staff are conducting those follow-up calls.