Box Butte County has taken over the second place spot in the Panhandle for the highest cumulative number of COVID-19 cases, edging out Dawes County as the positive cases continue to surge.
Throughout the Panhandle as a whole, the number of cases are on the rise, leading the COVID-19 Unified Command to change the risk level for the region to high orange on their risk dial, the highest the risk level has been since the outbreak. Panhandle Public Health District officials noted a trend in the number of cases in a press release on Monday.
“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,” the release stated.
As of press time, Box Butte County has had 298 cumulative cases, with 116 active, 181 recovered and one dead. The Panhandle has had a cumulative of 1,957 cases, with 709 active, 1,236 recovered and 12 dead.
Officials urge people to take steps to protect themselves and to reduce the spread of the virus through the region.
“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,” the release stated.
On Monday, officials also announced the latest victim of the virus, a Dawes County man in his 70s, bringing the total number of 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,” said Kim Engel, PPHD Director.
In Scotts Bluff County, officials are dealing with the spread of the coronavirus at the Scotts Bluff County Detention Center, after it was announced on Oct. 17 that three inmates and two staff members had tested positive for the virus. On Oct. 22, Scotts Bluff County Sheriff Mark Overman provided updated numbers about the situation, noting that a total of 33 inmates had tested positive, as well as 10 employees. He said that although he expects more cases to arise, they are taking steps to slow the spread at the center.
“We have been working with University of Nebraska Medical Center infectious disease specialists to actively manage the COVID response in the facility. We are following their recommendation of frequent testing and re-testing of over 200 inmates and over 70 staff along with quarantine protocols,” said Overman.
According to information provided by Panhandle Public Health District, as of press time, there have been five cases in Banner County, with two active and three recovered; 113 in Cheyenne County, with 31 active and 82 recovered; 255 in Dawes County, with 67 active, 187 recovered and one dead; 15 in Deuel County with four active and 11 recovered; 26 in Garden County, with 10 active and 16 recovered; four in Grant County, which have recovered; 48 in Kimball County, with seven active and 41 recovered; 113 in Morrill County, with 20 active and 93 recovered; 923 in Scotts Bluff County, with 409 active, 504 recovered and 10 dead; 145 in Sheridan County, with 41 active and 104 recovered; and 12 in Sioux County, with two active and 10 recovered.
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.