COVID-19 cases in Cloud County up to 14

The number of positive cases of COVID-19 in Cloud County continues to grow with three new positive tests being confirmed by the Cloud County Health Department on Friday.
Cloud County now has 14 confirmed cases of the virus. That is an increase of nine cases over the past 10 days. There are currently nine active cases and no hospitalizations.
In an interview on Friday morning with local media, Health Department administrator Brandi Bray said that the three new cases are related to five positive cases in Republic County.
The positive tests were a result of drive-thru testing done by the Republic County Health Department in Belleville on Wednesday night.
There were 126 people were tested at the event, with 112 of them being Cloud County residents.
There are currently 63 test results pending.
“The Cloud County Health Department is in communication with the Republic County Health Department and the KDHE on test results,” Bray said.
Rapid tests were given to 17 individuals with symptoms, and one Cloud County resident tested positive.
The remaining 109 tests were sent to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, and resulted in two new positive cases.
“As these test results come in, we anticipate more people being added to the quarantine and close contact list,” Bray said.
Bray confirmed that an employee of the Concordia Municipal Swimming Pool, who had worked on Monday and Tuesday, was among the positive tests. She recommended that anyone who was at the pool between noon and 7 p.m. Monday and 3:45-6:30 p.m. on Tuesday quarantine for 14 days.
The city of Concordia has shut down the swimming pool and the Sports Complex.
The swimming pool closed at 5 p.m. Thursday, and will remain closed until July 3.
The Sports Complex is closed through July 3. There will be no games or practices allowed. The restrooms will be closed.
The city will re-evaluate the situation prior to July 3 based on the information available, and decisions regarding scheduling and programming will be made at that time.
The Health Department announced on Thursday it will not implement any new countywide restrictions.
Requirements have been implemented for upcoming events in the county.
Those participating in and attending the races at the Concordia High Banks on Sunday will be required to sign in and provide their name, phone number and county of residence. Masks will be distributed to each individual, but they are not required to wear them. Hand sanitizer will be provided.
The Cloud County Fair is scheduled to start on July 6, and all participants and visitors will be required to sign in and provide their name, phone number and county of residence. Masks will be provided, but not required. Hand sanitizer will be provided.
The July 3 fireworks show in Concordia will proceed as planned at the Cloud County Fairgrounds. All visitors are requested to maintain social distancing.
“Our staff is working so hard, so many long hours and days, and we appreciate the support of the community through these difficult times,” Bray said.
Bray announced on Wednesday that the new cases confirmed this week, along with a growing contact list, involves baseball, volleyball and basketball games as well as travel outside of the state and graduation parties.
Unified School District 333 has halted all school-sponsored summer programs because of the recent outbreak.
The school district closed the facilities at the junior-senior high school to disinfect all areas used by summer activities.
Summer weights and conditioning and all other school sponsored activities will be temporarily suspended.