Apr 09, 2020

Baldetti: Self-report form working well, continue social distancing

Posted Apr 09, 2020 4:45 PM

By NICK GOSNELL

Hutch Post

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Reno County Health Department Director Nick Baldetti gave an update Thursday on how the self-reporting form is working on the county's website.

"Sixty-seven have actually filled out the self-report form," Baldetti said. "Fifty have self-identified to be contacted by health department staff."

Baldetti is still negotiating with KDHE on what they will call those they think have had COVID-19 that don't qualify for a diagnostic test.

"It's an order of semantics, I feel," Baldetti said. "Right now, we're just waiting for that permission. I personally would hope that I'm going to have something for public consumption by tomorrow."

Once they decide what to call those cases, the number of cases in the county will likely go up. It's important to know that the quickest way to get past the top of the curve is to continue social distancing measures.

"It still stands that limiting gatherings to that ten and under and using best judgment practices in terms of social distancing that we've been harping on for weeks now, that all should still be in place, regardless of an authorized Executive Order," Baldetti said.

Church leaders in Hutchinson are agreed that they will continue to take the precautions they have been taking in keeping services online for this Easter weekend.