The Ellis County Health Department said in a news release Monday that nine new positive cases of COVID-19 has been identified in the county since Friday. Three more new cases are considered "probable."
Contacts will be notified. The new positive cases are in isolation. The department also noted three previous cases have recovered since Friday.
There have now been 57 cases of the virus in the county since reporting began, with 18 of those considered active.
The department said there have been 30 new cases since the Fourth of July holiday, placing the blame upon resident and visitors not adhering to safety protocols.
Of those cases, 23 have been associated with one of four "clusters," including the Interstate 70 travel plaza just east of Topeka, two private gatherings and a dance in Graham County.
"If residents continue to gather in groups, we will see cases increase," the department said.
Read the complete release below:
Clarified 3:45 p.m. Monday to reference the travel plaza east of Topeka.