By PPHD
Panhandle total: 447, Active: 40, Recovered: 401, Deaths: 6
Unified Command confirms the Cal Ripken 11 under State Tournament July 31 – August 2 in Chadron as a community exposure site. Two residents from Wyoming have tested positive who attended the tournament. During the investigation, health officials were not able to determine all close contacts and deemed it a community exposure site. We ask that all fans and players self-monitor and be tested if they develop symptoms.
The planning committee for the tournament submitted a solid Event and Gathering Safety Plan, encouraging social distancing. Unified Command urges residents to do their part when attending events to help the coordinators put on safe events.
· Keep 6-feet between groups.
· Wear a mask when you cannot stay 6 feet away from others.
· Wash or sanitize your hands frequently.
· Stay home if you have symptoms: fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, body chills, headache, loss of taste or smell, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea?
· At-risk? Please use extra caution.
Unified Command, in consultation with medical advisors, has updated their school investigation guidance in a classroom setting for determining close contacts based on the increasing evidence of the effectiveness of cloth face coverings.
When a masked person tests positive and those exposed are wearing masks, the COVID positive will isolate, and the close contacts will self-monitor.
When an unmasked person tests positive and those exposed are wearing masks, the COVID positive will isolate, and the close contacts will quarantine.
When a masked person tests positive and some exposed are not wearing masks, the COVID positive will isolate, and the close contacts with masks on will self-monitor, and the close contacts not wearing masks will quarantine.
When a masked person tests positive and those exposed are not wearing masks, the COVID positive will isolate, and the close contacts will quarantine.
The case investigators will take the specifics of every situation into account during the investigation to make a determination.
Unified Command confirms three more recoveries in the Panhandle. We are still waiting for results and have no cases to report today. We have reached out to the state to determine the delay and anticipate receiving results in the next 24 hours.
Testing information and access for the Panhandle area: · You can sign up for the following free testing at Testnebraska.com or 402-207-9377:
o Box Butte General Hospital in Alliance: Monday-Friday, 9-10am
o Chadron Community Hospital: Mondays & Fridays, 7-9am
· Collections are at 821 Morehead Street (Old Hospital ER Entrance next to Wilson Park)
o Gordon Memorial Hospital: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 2-4pm
o Regional West Health Services in Scottsbluff: Monday-Friday, Noon-4pm
o Sidney Regional Medical Center: Tuesdays & Thursday, 7-9am
· Community Action Health Center in Gering: Mondays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays, 7-8am o Testing is free, sign up at https://tinyurl.com/y7msahzq
· Morrill County Community Hospital in Bridgeport: Daily
o Call 308-262-1616 for testing, same day results, insurance will be billed
· Contact your local hospital or clinic for information on testing access.
March 2-August 6, 2020
· Total Tests Conducted: 8,782
· Positive: 447
· Cumulative Positivity Rate: 5.1%
· Recovered: 401
· Active Cases: 40
· Deaths: 6
· Active Hospitalizations: 0 Total Cumulative Hospitalizations: 45
Panhandle Public Health District, Region 21, 22, and 23 Emergency Management, and Scotts Bluff County Health Department are working as a unified command on this evolving situation. Essential updates will be regularly communicated to the public and community partners.
For the most up to date information from the CDC, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.