The Cowley County Health Department has learned the following information.
A 14-year-old female who splits residence with custodial parents in Sedgwick and Cowley counties was experiencing symptoms of illness on Friday, June 5 while in Sedgwick County. Her mother took the child to a local private care clinic. During the visit, the female had a test sample taken for COVID-19 which was processed by the clinic’s contracted private laboratory.
On Wednesday evening, June 10, the clinic informed the family in Sedgwick County that the test results were positive for COVID-19. The Sedgwick County Health Department has confirmed that they now have results for the patient and are sharing those with the Cowley County Health Department.
During the week of June 7, the child came to Arkansas City to visit her other parent. While in Arkansas City, and before the test results were known, the child interacted socially with friends and the community at-large, including a visit to the public pool on June 10. It’s also reported that the girl’s mother has contacted a parent of the girl’s friends where she participated in a sleepover during the week possibly exposing friends there.
This social activity has likely exposed several people to COVID-19 in the Arkansas City community. The failure to heed the instructions and warnings of public health guidance and medical interactions 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 the Cowley County Health Department.
Families that believe that they might have been exposed to the virus are required to isolate themselves at home for the next 48 hours.
The City-Cowley County Health Department will open a drive-thru testing site this upcoming Monday, June 15, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.and schedule times for Arkansas City residents to be tested. It will take two to three days for the results to be known. The testing is FREE, and those that are tested MUST remain in isolation until test results are known.
To schedule a test, call 620-221-1400. The testing will be at the Winfield office.
