Harvey County says the death of a woman in her 50’s on April 6 is a probable case of Covid-19.
The health department says The Kansas Department of Health and Environment classified it as a probable case, not presumptive-positive case of COVID-19. A probable case is defined as meeting the clinical criteria with a presumptive-positive lab test based on blood work, but a nasal swab test for active COVID-19 virus turns up negative, according to the KDHE.
The testing was done by a private lab and Harvey County is looking for more guidance from the state on how to classify the woman’s death. Meanwhile, the KDHE is investigating to determine who she may have had close contact with.
“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 in a news release.
“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.”
The woman had underlying health conditions which is believed to be a factor in her death, according to the health department. She died at a Wichita hospital.
Harvey County says their 3 remaining cases of Covid-19 have recovered.
