COVID-19 Unified Command announced on Monday that the Panhandle vaccine registration system has transitioned to the state registration system at vaccinate.ne.gov, effective immediately.
All Panhandle residents over the age of 18 are encouraged to register to receive the vaccine at the website above. Those who are in need of assistance with the registration process may call either 833-998-2275 or 531-249-1873.
Those people 65 and older who have registered so far are already on the waiting list to receive the vaccine and do not need to register again. People who are younger than 65 are asked to register through the state website.
The risk dial for the Panhandle has moved up slightly as Morrill County has moved into the severe risk category. Officials note the move for the region is due to an increase in the positivity rate and the number of community spread cases. Unified Command is urging people to take safety precautions to slow the spread of COVID-19.
As of Monday, 7,090 people in the Panhandle have received the vaccine, as officials note that an additional 1,500 doses of the vaccine are set to arrive in the region this week. Currently, people who are 65 and older are eligible to receive the vaccine, with the focus remaining on those 75 and older.
Vaccines are available to veterans enrolled in the VA Health Care System at the Scottsbluff Community-Based Outpatient Clinic. Vaccinations are by appointment only. Those eligible may call 308-225-5330 to schedule an appointment.
Testing for COVID-19 at Box Butte General Hospital will change to Tuesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. effective Feb. 15.
As of Monday, Box Butte County has seen 893 cases of COVID-19, with nine of those cases occurring in the last 14 days. There have been eight deaths in Box Butte County due to COVID-19.