Barton Community College closes daycare due to COVID-19 case

Barton Community College has closed its daycare due to a coronavirus disease case.

“The Barton Community College Child Development Center (CDC) will be temporarily closing due to the identification of an individual who is a confirmed positive case of COVID-19 being present during their infectious time period,” the school said in a news release.

The statement did not specify if the daycare was determined to be a coronavirus cluster, or the age of the patient.

“Barton County Health Department may issue orders to the CDC staff and children who attend the CDC to quarantine in their homes until tentatively, September 5,” the statement read. “The orders will include educational materials that may address additional questions the recipients may have, and will include an on-call number for BCHD personnel. The orders from the BCHD may be helpful for parents to provide to their employers, if needed.”

Barton County has 183 cases of COVID-19, which is up 10 from Friday and up 18 in one week, according to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

The KDHE reported new clusters at a college or university and a daycare or school on Monday. There have been six outbreaks at colleges or universities with 82 cases. Daycares or schools have had 16 clusters with 81 cases and two hospitalizations.

“The CDC took many measures to prevent exposures, including frequent handwashing of all children, including upon arrival and departure, frequent disinfecting and more,” the school said in the statement. “Barton and the CDC will be taking some extra precautions beyond the recommendation from the BCHD during the quarantine and closure to prepare for reopening, including enhanced cleaning and exploring additional measures to further reduce the potential for future exposures.

“While it was not recommended by the BCHD, regular and student employees will be tested before return to the CDC.”