Box Butte County is seeing a steady increase in COVID-19 cases, with a total of 348 positive cases since testing began in March.
As of press time, there were a total of 74 active cases in Box Butte County, 273 recovered and one death, bringing the total to 348. The Panhandle as a whole has seen an increase as well, with a cumulative total of 2,780 cases since March.
On Oct. 27, officials with COVID-19 Unified Command announced that two men in Dawes County had succumbed to the virus: one man was in his 70s and another was in his 80s. The following day, officials announced two additional deaths: a man from Dawes County in his 80s and a man from Sioux County in his 90s.
In a press release on Oct. 28, officials asked for people to respect the people who have been lost, noting, “there has been significant conspiracy around COVID-related deaths and we ask people to please remember any deaths announced are someone’s loved one, be respectful to everyone’s situation in these incredibly tough times.”
In the same press release, CEO of Box Butte General Hospital Lori Mazanec said, “As a CEO of a hospital in this area, we encourage everyone to stand together in support of healthcare workers caring for families in our communities and especially those who have lost loved ones during the pandemic.”
Officials encourage people to take precautions to help slow the spread of the virus, including wearing a mask, social distancing and monitoring for symptoms.
The virus continues to spread through schools in the Panhandle as well, with a total of 12 active cases at Alliance Public Schools according to the district’s COVID-19 Dashboard. There have been a cumulative of 64 cases at Alliance Public Schools since the school year began, and there are, as of press time, 141 people quarantined in the district.
At Hemingford Public Schools, there were no active cases as of press time, though the district has seen a total of five cases since the school year began. There were 27 people quarantined in the district as of press time.
Chadron Public Schools has had a total of 27 cases this school year, with four active. Gering Public Schools has had a total of 45 cases, with 34 active as of press time. Scottsbluff Public Schools has had 51 cases, with 20 active. Sidney Public Schools has had 20 cumulative cases, with 10 active.
On Oct. 29, Western Nebraska Community College announced changes in protocols at their campuses to address the spread of the coronavirus, noting masks must be worn at all times on campuses, with the exception of employees who are alone, behind closed doors and students in dorm rooms. All classes are to continue face-to-face instruction until Nov. 24, after which all classes will finish the semester online. The only exception is the Career and Technical Education programs.
“We understand that the hands-on style of instruction is critical for successful learning for the students in our CTE courses,” said WNCC President Dr. Carmen Simone. “We are keeping the needs of our students at the front of our minds as we navigate the remainder of the semester.”
Lifelong Learning courses are canceled in person until Jan. 18, 2021, though there are online classes still available. Adult Education and Workforce Development classes are set to continue in person.
Also, all athletics scrimmages with visiting teams will be canceled for the remainder of the semester.
As of press time, Banner County has had a total of five cases, which have recovered; Cheyenne County has had 163 cases, with 57 active and 106 recovered; Dawes County has had 301 cases with 75 active, 222 recovered and four dead; Deuel County has had 22 cases with six active and 16 recovered; Garden County has had 49 active cases with 26 active and 23 recovered; Grant County has had five cases, which have recovered; Kimball County has had 71 cases with 27 active and 44 recovered; Morrill County has had 155 cases with 46 active and 109; Scotts Bluff County has had 1,476 cases with 822 active, 644 recovered and 10 dead; Sheridan County has had 171 cases with 43 active and 128 recovered; Sioux County has had 13 cases with one active, 11 recovered and one dead.
Free testing is available through Test Nebraska at multiple locations in the Panhandle. People can sign up through Test Nebraska at testnebraska.com or by calling 402-207-9377. In Alliance, testing is available at Box Butte General Hospital Monday through Friday from 9 to 10 a.m. The testing site is located in the ambulance bay on the east side of the emergency department.
In Chadron, testing is offered at the Chadron Community Hospital on Mondays and Fridays from 7 to 9 a.m.. Collections are located at 821 Morehead Street.
Community Action Health Center in Gering offers tests on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 7 to 9 a.m.
In Gordon, testing is offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 to 4 p.m. at Gordon Memorial Hospital.
Regional West Health Services in Scottsbluff offers tests Monday through Friday from noon to 4 p.m.
Sidney Regional Medical Center offers tests on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 to 9 a.m.
Morrill County Community Hospital in Bridgeport offers tests daily, with same day results.