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Omicron detected in Barton, Russell counties
Barton sees 361 new cases since Jan. 3
coronavirus

Variants of the SARS-Co-V-2 virus that causes COVID-19 have been detected in all Kansas counties, but the Omicron variant is still not commonly found. Of the 15,279 species sequenced in Kansas, 10,773 were the Delta variant and 421 were the Omicron variant, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment database.

Five specimens of the Omicron variant have been detected in Barton County, along with 120 of the Delta variant and three of the Alpha variant. Russell County has also found two Omicron specimens, along with 172 Delta and one Alpha. No other area counties have found specimens with the Omicron variant, but all have found the Delta variant.

Kansas finished the week with 41,654 new cases of COVID-19 – 22,240 from Monday to Wednesday and 19,414 more by Friday morning.

As of 9 a.m. Friday, there have been 621,273 cases to date, resulting in 17,624 hospitalizations and 7,162 statewide deaths. In addition to the 19,414 new cases, there were 122 new hospitalizations and 21 new deaths reported since Wednesday. There were no new deaths in area counties. Barton County had one new hospital admission related to COVID-19.

Less than half (47.86%) of Barton County residents age 5 years and above have completed the COVID-19 vaccine series, compared to 54.06% in Pawnee County and 48.24% in Stafford County.


Area totals

Here are the total cases for area counties as of 9 a.m. Friday, with any change since Wednesday, Jan. 12:

• Barton 5,164 (+115) 

• Ellsworth 1,740 (+33)

• Pawnee 1,772 (+35)

• Rice 2,106 (+103)

• Rush 672 (+19)

• Russell 1,608 (+20)

• Stafford 940 (+20)


Hospitalizations

The Great Bend Tribune also reports on COVID-19-related hospitalizations in Barton, Pawnee and Stafford counties. 

• As of 9 a.m. Friday, Barton County has reported 162 hospitalizations attributed to COVID-19 over the course of the pandemic, including 31 intensive care unit (ICU) admissions to date, and 107 discharged patients reported to KDHE. This reflects one new hospital admission since Jan. 10.

• Pawnee County has reported 71 hospital admissions, 15 ICU admissions and 48 discharged patients to date. These numbers have not changed this month.

• Stafford County has reported 36 hospital admissions, 15 ICU admissions and 20 discharged patients to date. These numbers have not changed since Jan. 5.