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Jan 06, 2022

PPHD: Panhandle virus cases increasing

Posted Jan 06, 2022 1:30 PM

By PPHD

Omicron is now the dominate variant in Nebraska. The Panhandle has seen a drastic shift in COVID cases from a downward trend just before the holidays to a current increase. Individuals are encouraged to heed important precautions to prevent and slow the spread of COVID.

Vaccines remain the best public health measure to protect people from COVID, slow transmission, and reduce the likelihood of new variants emerging.

“We live in an incredible country with many freedoms and choices to keep ourselves, our families, our communities, and our country healthy and safe. As we enter another year in a currently heightened pandemic state, please exercise your right to get vaccinated. If you’ve been vaccinated, get boosted. Please do it now,” said Kim Engel, Panhandle Public Health District Director.

Everyone age 16 and older is recommended to get a COVID booster shot at least two months after a 1-dose vaccine, Johnson & Johnson, or at least six months after a 2-dose vaccine, Pfizer or Moderna.

COVID vaccine is widely available across the Panhandle and there is no charge.

  1. Box Butte/Grant: https://tinyurl.com/25mwaapu | safeway.com
  2. Walk-ins welcome
  3. Dave's Pharmacy Hemingford & Alliance, Monday-Friday, 8 AM - 5:30 PM
  4. Alliance Community Pharmacy, Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM - 6 PM
  5. Cheyenne/Deuel: https://tinyurl.com/5b5uac8p | walmart.com | safeway.com
  6. December 29, Big Springs at the Fire Hall 10:30AM - 12:30 PM | Chappell at the Fire Hall 1:30 - 3:30 PM Vaccinating 5+
  7. Dawes/Sioux: https://tinyurl.com/x5d5nnbn | walmart.com | safeway.com
  8. Walk-ins welcome
  9. Western Community Health Resources, Monday-Friday, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
  10. Call 308-432-8979 to schedule an appointment outside these hours.
  11. Garden: To schedule an appointment, call (308) 772-3283.
  12. Kimball: https://tinyurl.com/d2u8txrs
  13. Walk-ins welcome
  14. Kimball Health Services, Monday-Friday, 8 AM - 4:30 PM
  15. Morrill: https://tinyurl.com/sb8mvumm
  16. Walk-ins welcome
  17. Morrill County Hospital Clinic (Bridgeport), Thursdays, 8 AM - 4:30 PM call 308-262-1755
  18. Chimney Rock Medical Center (Bayard), Tuesdays, 8 AM - 4:30 PM call 308-586-1717
  19. Sheridan: https://tinyurl.com/cvrmkv38
  20. Walk-ins welcome
  21. Gordon Rural Health Clinic, Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM and 1 PM - 4 PM
  22. Scotts Bluff/Banner: https://tinyurl.com/hkw7wk2p | walmart.com | safeway.com | walgreens.com
  23. Walk-ins welcome
  24. Gering CAPWN Health Center, Monday-Friday, 9 AM-12 PM & 1 PM-4 PM
  25. Scottsbluff County Immunization Clinic, Monday-Friday, 9:30 AM-5:30 PM

If you are homebound or have a condition that makes it hard for you to access a COVID vaccine, Call Vianey Zitterkopf, RN at 308-430-8390 or Janet Felix, LPN at 308-672-4653.

People who are fully COVID vaccinated will not be required to quarantine due to close contact. If you have lost your COVID vaccine card, go to https://tinyurl.com/2zh7uhhu.


Unified Command confirms 291 more cases of COVID in the Panhandle.

March 2, 2020-January 5, 2021

  1. Positive: 15,252
  2. Last week’s cases: (cases/100,000): 337.3
  3. Last 7 day cases: 291
  4. Last week’s positivity rate: 10.5%
  5. Deaths: 252
  6. Deaths Pending Verification: 29
  7. Active Hospitalizations: 13
  8. Total Cumulative Hospitalizations: 777
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