By PPHD
Panhandle total: 525, Active: 71, Recovered: 448, Deaths: 6
The virus is here, and in the foreseen time we must live with the increased prevention tools for the safety of all in our community which include quarantine and isolation. Let’s delve further into what these words really mean.
If someone has been confirmed positive with COVID, they must self-isolate. This means they must stay home and away from others for at least 10 days from when symptoms first appeared, at least 24 hours with no fever, and all other symptoms have improved.
If someone was a close contact to a positive COVID person meaning, they were less than six feet away for 15 minutes or more to a person confirmed positive with COVID. This means they must self-quarantine by staying home and monitoring for symptoms for 14 days since the last exposure to prevent the spread. If symptoms appear, get tested.
Not abiding by self-quarantine or self-isolation requirements by health officials is enforceable as a misdemeanor offense per the Governor’s Directed Health Measure. Moreover, self-isolating and self-quarantining are proven to slow the spread of COVID in communities.
Please do your part to keep friends, family, neighbors, and communities safe so schools and businesses can remain open! If you are instructed to self-quarantine or self-isolate, please follow this important requirement.
Unified Command confirms eight more cases of COVID in the Panhandle. The investigations are underway, all close contacts will be quarantined and actively monitored for symptoms by public health officials.
Testing information and access for the Panhandle area: · You can sign up for the following free testing at Testnebraska.com or 402-207-9377:
- 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
- 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.
- Gordon Memorial Hospital: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 2-4pm
- Regional West Health Services in Scottsbluff: Monday-Friday, Noon-4pm
- 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/yydxr5mc
· Morrill County Community Hospital in Bridgeport: Daily
- Call 308-262-1616 for testing, same day results
· Contact your local hospital or clinic for information on testing access.
March 2-August 19, 2020
· Total Tests Conducted: 10,056
· Positive: 525
· Cumulative Positivity Rate: 5.2%
· Recovered: 448
· Active Cases: 71
· Deaths: 6
· Active Hospitalizations: 4
· Total Cumulative Hospitalizations: 55
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.