No new COVID-19 cases were reported at Alliance Public Schools as of press time, with the first student announced as testing positive for coronavirus has made a recovery. There is still one active case at Grandview Elementary, according to the district’s COVID-19 dashboard.
Other schools in the region have reported positive cases. At Chadron Public Schools there have been 14 cumulative cases with one active and three people in quarantine. Scottsbluff Public Schools has announced eight positive COVID-19 cases through their dashboard, with five active and three recovered. A total of 41 people have been quarantined in the district. At Chadron State College the total number of cases has reached 44, although only two are active, according to their case information.
The number of new positive cases in Box Butte County continues to rise, a trend seen in several other Panhandle communities. The total number of cases reached 48 in Box Butte County, with 16 active and 32 recoveries since the virus began being tracked in March.
According to a news release issued by Panhandle COVID-19 Unified Command on Monday, the total number of cases throughout the Panhandle has reached 756 since March, with 83 active, 666 recovered and seven deaths. The latest death was announced in the release. A man in his 80s living in Scotts Bluff County succumbed to the virus. Unified Command noted the man had underlying health conditions.
“We must continue all increased prevention to guard our most vulnerable populations,” said Scotts Bluff County Health Department Director Paulette Schnell.
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.