By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

A COVID-19-related death of a Marion County resident was confirmed Friday.

County health nurse Diedre Serene on Friday sent a press release extending the department’s sympathy to the family and friends of the patient.

However, Serene released no further information.

The deceased COVID-19 victim was one already counted in the state.

Kansas Department of Health and Environment daily reports show no increase in the county’s confirmed number of five COVID-19 cases.

“Please follow social distancing and infection control measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19,” Serene said. “At the individual level this means maintaining at least six-foot social distancing from other individuals. At the group level this means following the mass gathering orders.”

Serene reminds people also to wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer; cover coughs and sneezes into the elbow, and regularly clean often-touched surfaces.