Morris County has a new health officer.
Dr. Daniel Frese resigned his post, submitting his resignation Jan. 11. At a special meeting Friday, Morris County commissioners appointed Candra Good as Morris County Health Officer with consultation from Dr. Melanie Byram, a family practice physician at Morris County Hospital and MCH Medical Clinic. Good also works with the Chase County Health Department, although Carol Coirier is listed as Chase County’s health officer.
Frese is also a family practice physician at Morris County Hospital and MCH Medical Clinic. He keeps those duties after resigning his county position.
There is no word on whether Frese’s resignation is connected to the Morris County decision earlier this month to end the county’s mask mandate in effect since August, according to the county’s Facebook page. Morris County commissioners are strongly suggesting residents get vaccinated and boosted, wear masks in public settings, wash hands, use six-foot social distancing bubbles and stay home if sick or symptomatic.
As of Friday, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment says Morris County has 1,178 cases since the pandemic started in March 2020. Morris County Public Health actually lists the total at 1,230 as of Wednesday, with 152 active cases and 23 deaths.
