Only known coronavirus patient from Cowley County dies in Wichita hospital

Cowley County has had one resident test positive for the novel coronavirus, and now the south-central Kansas county has one COVID-19 death.

The only patient to test positive for the virus from Cowley County died on Wednesday while hospitalized in Wichita, the city-county health department said in a news release. The patient was a man over the age of 60 who had underlying health conditions. He tested positive for coronavirus on April 1.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of this community member,” Cowley County public health officer Thomas Langer said in a statement. “Our deepest condolences go out to his friends, family, and loved ones.

“His passing is a sad reminder of how serious this disease can be. We continue to make the health of this community our top priority and ask that all citizens do what they can to help slow the spread of COVID-19, please stay home.”

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment reports 1,106 cases of coronavirus in the state and 42 deaths. Local public health officials report two Sedgwick County residents have died and one Sumner County resident has died.