Symptomatic teen ‘likely exposed several people’ at Arkansas City sleepover and pool

A 14-year-old girl is thought to have exposed several people to COVID-19 at a public pool and during a sleepover in Arkansas City, the City-Cowley County Health Department said in a news release Friday.

The girl, who splits time with parents in Sedgwick and Cowley counties, was tested at a private clinic in Sedgwick County after experiencing symptoms on June 5. Family learned the results on June 10. By that time, the girl had gone to a sleepover and a public pool, the release says. The visit to the pool happened on June 10 before the family found out the results of the test.

“This social activity has likely exposed several people to COVID-19 in the Arkansas City community,” the release says. “The failure to heed the instructions and warnings of public health guidance and medical instructions is evidenced here. A person who is tested MUST remain quarantined with family members until such time as the results are known. This did not happen.”

“The Arkansas City community is upset as evidenced by the comments and calls made over social media and to the health department.”

The health department recommended families who believe they have been exposed to isolate at home for “the next 48 hours.”

For information on testing, contact the health department at 620-221-1430.

This story was originally published June 12, 2020 at 4:00 PM.