Jun 06, 2020

Free virus testing available in the Panhandle; 7 more cases announced

Posted Jun 06, 2020 12:00 PM

Drive-thru testing was offered in Chadron and Alliance earlier this week and Scottsbluff today. The results from the 26 tests in Chadron came back today and they are all negative.

Drive-Thru testing will be offered in the following locations this weekend:

· Oshkosh: Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the City Maintenance Building, 115 West First Street.

· Sidney: 8 a.m. to noon Sunday at the old Wheatbelt Building, 2103 Illinois Street.

Complete the brief assessment at TestNebraska.com to determine if you are selected to be tested. Even if you are not initially offered a time slot, take the assessment again. Please call 308-262-5764 if you do not have computer access and need assistance.

COVID-19 testing will be available starting next week at Community Action Health Center Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 7a-8a. Testing is open to those that are symptomatic or exposed to some who has tested positive. Sign up today https://tinyurl.com/Y8P6YU02

Increased COVID-19 testing is an important piece to finding the virus and keeping people, families, and communities safe from disease spread.

Unified Command confirms seven more cases of COVID-19. The cases are as follows:

Exposure is defined as at least 15 minutes, less than six feet apart. There are no community exposure sites identified. The investigations are complete, all close contacts will be quarantined and actively monitored twice daily for fever and respiratory symptoms by public health officials.

March 2-June 5, 2020

Total Tests Completed: 3,144

Positive: 174

Cumulative Positivity Rate: 5%

Recovered: 88

Active Cases: 86

Active Hospitalizations: 6

Total Cumulative Hospitalizations: 22

Deaths: 0

• Box Butte County: 2 cases (2 recovered)

• Cheyenne County: 11 cases (2 active, 9 recovered)

• Dawes County: 1 case (recovered)

• Garden County: 4 cases (active)

• Kimball County: 10 cases (10 recovered)

• Morrill County: 11 cases (1 active, 10 recovered)

• Scotts Bluff County: 135 Cases (79 active, 56 recovered)

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.

Panhandle Public Health District is working together to improve the health, safety, and quality of life for all who live, learn, work, and play in the Panhandle. Our vision is that we are a healthier and safer Panhandle Community. Visit our website www.pphd.org.