Four new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Box Butte County over the past week, the lion-share of which were determined to be cases of community spread as coronavirus numbers continue to grow throughout the Panhandle.
On July 17, officials with the COVID-19 Unified Command confirmed a man in his 60s in Box Butte County to have the virus. They noted the exposure type as community spread. On July 20, three more Box Butte County cases were announced including a man in his 20s, which had an unknown exposure type, a man in his 40s and a man in his 60s, both of which were determined to be community spread cases.
As of press time, there have been a total of 387 COVID-19 cases documented throughout the Panhandle since March 2. Banner County has seen two cases, which have been recoveries; Box Butte County has seen eight cases, with four active and four recoveries; Cheyenne County has seen 22 cases, with one active and 21 recoveries; Dawes County has seen four cases, which have been recoveries; Deuel County has seen one case, which has been a recovery; Garden County has seen four cases, which have been recoveries; Kimball County has seen 17 cases, with three active and 14 recoveries; Morrill County has seen 56 cases, with five active and 51 recovered; Scotts Bluff County had seen 259 cases, with 60 active, 194 recoveries and five resulting in death; Sheridan County has seen eight cases, with one active and seven recoveries; and Sioux County has seen six cases, which have been recoveries.
Unified Command officials urge the public to stay informed about COVID-19 and to rely on trusted sources.
“Information is easily shareable and clickable nowadays but seeking reliable information from neutral and scientifically based sources is critical now more than ever,” a press release from Unified Command stated. “Data, statistics, and research is readily available at our fingertips but also can be false or inaccurate information intended to deceive the reader and create fear.”
Officials also noted that the coronavirus outbreak has taken an emotional toll on people. They urge people to reach out for help with their mental health. They also encouraged people to be kind to one another.
“The important prevention strategies like social distancing, can make people feel isolated and lonely but remain critical to reducing the spread,” Unified Command stated in a press release. “Coping with stress in a healthy way will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger.
“Some people in the Panhandle that have been confirmed with COVID-19 have been subjected to threats and other concerning bullying behaviors,” Unified Command officials continued. “The physical toll of recovering from COVID-19 should not leave a lifetime of mental health scars. Please be kind, no one is immune to this virus. Modeling kindness for children is key as we are nearing the start of school and to help lessen physical and emotional anxiety.”