Since it was first identified in the Panhandle in April, the Delta variant of COVID-19 has been on the rise throughout the region, prompting concern from health officials.
COVID-19 Unified Command issued a press release Monday noting the higher degree of contagiousness with the Delta variant. They encourage those who have not received the COVID-19 vaccine to protect themselves by getting vaccinated.
The vaccine is available throughout the Panhandle for people 12 and older. For residents of Box Butte and Grant Counties, walk-ins are welcome at Dave’s Pharmacy in Alliance and Hemingford from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and at Alliance Community Pharmacy from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Since July 12, there have been 51 new cases of COVID-19 in the Panhandle, including eight in Box Butte County. Since the pandemic began, the Panhandle has seen a total of 9,286 cases, with 197 that have resulted in death, and 77 cases occurring in the last 14 days.
Box Butte County, since testing began in 2020, has had 974 cases, 13 of which have occurred in the last 13 days. There have been 11 deaths associated with COVID-19 in Box Butte County since the outbreak began.