COVID-19 has claimed its first lives in the Panhandle after officials confirmed that two people in Scotts Bluff County have passed away.
On June 10, officials with COVID-19 Unified Command announced that a woman in her 90s died. The woman had underlying health conditions, the officials said.
“We extend our sympathies to the family of this person. This is a reminder of how important it is to continue to follow the recommendations being provided to protect our most vulnerable in the community,” said Paulette Schnell, Director of Scotts Bluff County Health Department, in a press release. “Since we began our response efforts in late February, we have understood the severity of COVID-19 and its impact on older individuals and persons with underlying health complications. We all must remain careful in taking increased precautions against this devastating virus.”
On June 11, Unified Command reported that a man in his 80s with underlying health conditions died.
As of press time, there have been a total of 218 positive cases in the Panhandle, with more than 4,300 tests conducted. There have been a total of 130 recoveries.
As of press time, there was one case in Banner County, which was declared a recovery, three cases in Box Butte County, with one active and two recoveries, 11 cases in Cheyenne County, with 11 recoveries, one case in Dawes County, which was declared a recovery, four cases in Garden County, with four recoveries, 10 cases in Kimball County, with 10 recoveries, 12 cases in Morrill County, with two active and 10 recoveries, 175 cases in Scotts Bluff County, with 82 active, 91 recoveries and two deaths, and one active case in Sioux County.
This week, free drive-thru testing is being offered at several locations in the Panhandle. On Wednesday from 8 a.m. to noon, testing will be offered in Chadron at the Chadron Community Hospital. Testing will be offered in Alliance from 8 a.m. to noon on Thursday at the Alliance Fire Department. In Scottsbluff, testing will be offered on Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon at Panhandle Public Health District. On Sunday, testing will take place in Sidney from 8 a.m. to noon, though no location was announced as of press time.
At a news conference on Monday, Governor Pete Ricketts announced the move into the third phase of the Directed Health Measure beginning on June 22, which will further loosen restrictions. Statewide, all restrictions on elective surgeries will be removed on June 22.
Fan attendance at youth and school games will no longer be limited to household members and will have the same limit as gatherings. Contact team sports will be able to begin practice on July 1.
The state, with the exception of Dakota, Hall, Hamilton and Merrick Counties, will see changes being implemented.
Bars and restaurants will be able to operate at 100 percent of capacity, though patrons will be required to remain seated unless placing an order or playing games. Groups larger than eight people will be required to split into multiple tables. However, buffets and salad bars will remain prohibited.
Capacity at childcare facilities will be limited to the following:
* Infants to 3 year old – 15 children per room/space.
* 3 year olds – 20 children per room/space.
* 4-5 year olds – 24 children per room/space.
* School-age children (K-12) – 30 children per room/space.
Indoor gatherings will be limited to 50 percent of the rated occupancy, while outdoor gatherings will be limited to 75 percent. These include auctions, stadiums, tracks, fairgrounds, festivals, indoor theaters, libraries and swimming pools.
However, parades, carnivals, beer gardens and dances will remain prohibited by the new Directed Health Measures. Dance recitals, however, will be permitted, though they must abide by the gathering requirements. Plans to reopen or expand to new capacity limits must be submitted to local health departments for approval at locations that hold 500 or more people. The plan must include the number of guests as well as plans for maintaining social distancing and sanitation.
Gyms will be limited to 75 percent of the rated occupancy, as well as salons, barber shops and massage therapy services. At salons, barber shops and massage therapy services, patrons and workers will still be required to wear masks at all times.
At wedding and funeral reception venues, a maximum of eight people will be allowed in a party, with groups larger than eight people needing to split into multiple tables. Staff at the venue will be required to serve food directly to all individuals.
As the number of positive cases continue to rise in the Panhandle, health officials encourage people to practice social distancing, wear masks and to wash their hands often.