By PPHD
COVID vaccine allocation to increase for the Panhandle beginning next week
- Anyone that has previously called or completed the survey, please be assured, you are on the list.
1,100 doses, plus the required 2nd dose, are anticipated to arrive weekly beginning next week. Doses are allocated based on a percentage of the county population. The Panhandle Vaccine Task Force is working together to get shots in arms.
Any Nebraska Panhandle residents 65 and older or persons with medical conditions and interested in getting a COVID vaccine, please complete the form at https://tinyurl.com/ycpxzr5d. The online link completion is preferred, people can call 308-262-5764 or 308-633-2866 ext. 101.
Over 4,700 people have signed up so far! Be sure to help your elderly family, friends, and neighbors get signed up. This will put them on the list that is being coordinated with local vaccine providers. When vaccines are available, appointments will be scheduled, and individuals will be called days ahead.
We are vaccinating health care providers and those 75 and older first. To date, 4,385 people in the eligible populations have received the COVID vaccine in the Panhandle.
“There are over 15,000 Panhandle residents in the 65+ age range. We are grateful for the vaccine allocation increase and ask all that have called or registered online for the vaccination, please continue to be patient. The list is coordinated with community vaccine providers and they are doing their best locally to get shots in arms,” said Kim Engel, Panhandle Public Health District Director.
COVID vaccinations are also available at the Scottsbluff Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) for veterans enrolled in the VA Health Care system. Vaccinations are by appointment only, no walk-ins. Call 308-225-5330 for appointment scheduling.
A Cheyenne County female in her 50s and a Morrill County male in his 60s are the most recent COVID deaths being announced. This brings the total deaths to 158.
“We share peace and comfort with the friends and loved ones in the loss of our fellow Panhandle residents,” said Engel.
Unified Command confirms 62 more cases of COVID in the Panhandle since last reporting on Thursday, January 14. The investigations are underway, all close contacts will be quarantined.
March 2, 2020-January 18, 2021
Total Tests Conducted: 31,750
Positive: 8,117
Last 14 days (active) cases: 330
Last week’s cases: 150
Last week’s positivity rate: 27.5%
Deaths: 158
Active Hospitalizations: 10
Total Cumulative Hospitalizations: 503
Doubling time (November 10, 2020-January 17, 2021): 67 days
Avoid the Three Cs:
Avoid Crowded Places – Avoid gathering in groups where you cannot maintain 6-feet of distance from others
Avoid Close Contact – Wear a mask over your nose and mouth or maintain 6-feet distance when you are spending more than 15 total minutes with people you don’t live with
Avoid Confined Spaces – Avoid enclosed spaces with poor ventilation
Current COVID testing access can be found at www.pphd.org.