(KAIR)--As of midnight Wednesday, Atchison County residents are to shelter at home, as directed through an order of Atchison County Health Officer Lori Forge.

A similar order will take effect in Doniphan County Thursday.

Residents are to leave home only to conduct essential tasks, such as acquiring medical care, picking up prescriptions, or buying groceries.

The intent of the order is to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Longtime Atchison physician, and 63rd District Representative Dr. John Eplee told MSC News social distancing, as directed through the order, is a needed measure at this stage of the virus spread. “I think our numbers are still going to go up. Our numbers are still going up more rapidly, and as we flatten that curve, you’ve heard that expression, it’s going to extend out a little bit longer," Eplee said. "I think our shelter in place order for four weeks, basically, through April 25, I think it’s tough, but it’s probably not unreasonable.”

The Atchison County 30-day order will remain in place until April 25, while the Doniphan County order will end April 6.

More than half of Kansas residents are adjusting to being ordered to stay at home as the state continues to grapple with the spread of the coronavirus.

At least 10 counties have ordered residents to stay home.

Gov. Laura Kelly has not issued a statewide order but she said Monday it might become “unavoidable” as more cases are reported.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment said the age of those who tested positive ranged from 7 to 90.

 A third coronavirus death has been reported in Kansas.

The Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, announced Tuesday night that the latest victim is a man in his 70s who tested positive for COVID-19 last week.

Kansas was reporting at least 98 positive cases as of Tuesday.

Two others deaths had been reported previously in the Kansas City area.  

The Associated Press contributed to this story.