Apr 10, 2020

Eight suspect COVID-19 cases come from online survey, still more tests outstanding

Posted Apr 10, 2020 4:08 PM

By NICK GOSNELL

Hutch Post

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Though now over 50 people have submitted information to the Reno County Health Department's website that they may have contracted COVID-19 and don't qualify for testing, only a few of those fulfill the criteria for inclusion in the county's statistics.

"We've classified eight of those 51 as suspect cases," said Director Nick Baldetti. "I say suspect versus presumptive positive because we are still conducting the investigations, as well as seeking the exact confirmatory language from KDHE."

Baldetti did express some surprise at how it's gone so far.

"I guess I'm more surprised, honestly, which is a good surprise, I'm more surprised that it's not more. I guess that's a silver lining."

The county is also still waiting for 32 tests that have been sent to the lab.