By PPHD
Panhandle total: 1,957; Active: 709; Recovered: 1,236; Deaths: 12
A male in his 70s is the first COVID-related death in Dawes County, this brings the total deaths in the Panhandle to 12.
“We are deeply saddened to hear of his death. We wish his family and friends peace and comfort during their time of loss,” expressed Kim Engel, Panhandle Public Health District Director.
The current doubling rate for cases is 22 days. This means from October 4-October 26, 2020, there were 965 cases in the Panhandle. The first case in the Panhandle was on March 29, 2020, from this date to October 4, 2020 is 189 days and was the reported equivalent of cases in the previous 22 days.
Please continue all of the important precautions to protect you, your loved ones, and your community from the spread of COVID. Wear a mask when possible, stay at least six feet away from others, monitor for any symptoms, and stay home if you are not feeling well. Please practice these safety tips out of an abundance of kindness and humility for others.
Unified Command confirms 326 more cases of COVID in the Panhandle since last reporting on Thursday, October 22. The investigations are underway, all close contacts will be quarantined
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
- Ambulance Bay on the east side of the emergency department, watch for the green arrows
o Chadron Community Hospital: Mondays & Fridays, 7-9am
- Collections are at 821 Morehead Street (Old Hospital ER Entrance next to Wilson Park)
- Other testing opportunities for symptomatic patients may be available through the hospital as ordered by your Primary Care Practitioner, call the hospital at 747-2466 with questions.
o Gordon Memorial Hospital: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 2-4pm
o Regional West Health Services in Scottsbluff: Mondays & Fridays, Noon-4pm; Wednesdays, 2-6pm
o Sidney Regional Medical Center: Tuesdays & Thursday, 7-9am
· Community Action Health Center in Gering: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays, 7-8am o Testing is free, sign up at https://tinyurl.com/yydxr5mc
· Alliance Community Pharmacy in Alliance: Monday-Friday, 7:30am-6pm; Saturday-Sunday, 9am-5pm
o For people experiencing symptoms, same day results. Call 308-629-1045 for appointment, fee is $105.
· Morrill County Community Hospital in Bridgeport: Daily
o Call 308-262-1616 for testing, same day results, insurance can be billed.
· Contact your local hospital or clinic for information on testing access.
March 2-October 26, 2020
· Total Tests Conducted: 18,750
· Positive: 1,957
· Cumulative Positivity Rate: 10.2%
· Recovered: 1,236
· Active Cases: 709
· Deaths: 12
· Active Hospitalizations: 33
· Total Cumulative Hospitalizations: 133
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.
