NEWTON, Kan. —The Harvey County Health Department has announced that the Kansas Department of Health and Environment has determined coronavirus, or COVID-19, as a probable factor in a Harvey County woman’s death.
The KDHE classified it as a probable – not presumptive-positive – case of COVID-19 on Monday. A probable case meets clinical criteria with a presumptive-positive lab test for blood work, but was negative in nasal swab testing for an active COVID-19 virus, according to the KDHE.
Because of this, the case has not been counted toward Harvey County’s case count at this time, but is attributed as a probable COVID-19 death. The Health Department will seek further guidance from the KDHE on its classification.
“First and foremost, our condolences go out to the family and friends of this member of our community. Harvey County is not invulnerable to the pain COVID-19 is causing in our world,” said Harvey County Health Department Director Lynnette Redington.
The individual, a woman in her 50s, died April 6. Underlying health conditions were a factor in the woman’s death. The woman had been hospitalized at an out-of-area medical facility.
Testing was completed by a private lab. The Health Department will work to follow up on all previous contacts.
This is the first probable COVID-19 death in Harvey County.
“We have to remain diligent in slowing the spread of COVID-19,” Redington said. “Unfortunately, this death only reinforces the urgency and danger of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Harvey County previously had four confirmed cases of COVID-19, with three individuals recovered.
The KDHE has a phone hotline available to answer questions or concerns regarding COVID-19 at 1-866-534-3463.