With the vaccine for COVID-19 preparing to roll out in the Panhandle, officials with COVID-19 Unified Command are determining the next steps in the process to make sure the Panhandle’s most susceptible are able to receive the vaccine.
On Monday, officials announced that the vaccine will be available in mid-December, with specific phases for people to receive the vaccine. In Phase 1a, the vaccine will be available to healthcare personnel. Phase 1b makes the vaccine available to first responders, those in education, food, agriculture, utilities and transportation workers.
Phase 1c will make the vaccine available to vulnerable populations, including those over the age of 65, disabled or homeless, and those in congregate settings, such as the incarcerated or those enrolled colleges or universities. Phase 2 will make the vaccine available to the general population.
“The vaccine is a critical step to getting life back to normal as possible,” Unified Command Officials said in a press release Monday. “Common side effects are pain and swelling on the arm where you got the shot. Throughout the rest of your body: fever, chills, tiredness, and headache are also common.”
Officials urge people to continue wearing masks when around others, wash their hands frequently and practice social distancing as the vaccine is distributed to continue limiting the spread of COVID-19. They noted that they will release more information about where people can be vaccinated as they move through the phases.
Also on Monday, during the briefing, officials discussed a new antibody treatment available for those who have tested positive for coronavirus in the Panhandle: Monoclonal Antibody Treatment. The treatment is a one time infusion that lasts for one hour. So far, 130 long-term care residents have received the treatment in the state, which has resulted in a 70 percent reduction in hospitalizations. Officials noted that they are working with long-term care facilities to increase the availability of the treatment. The treatment must be ordered by a physician.
On Saturday, Governor Pete Ricketts announced that because hospitalizations have dropped below 20 percent statewide, new Directed Health Measures would go into effect. Although the number of hospitalizations has dropped statewide, hospitalizations in the Panhandle remain at 27 percent, as of Monday.
One of the major changes in the new Directed Health Measure is that attendance at school and extracurricular activities would no longer be limited to those who live in the same households. The maximum capacity for indoor gatherings has increased to 50 percent of rated occupancy.
Six feet of separation at restaurants and bars moved from being a requirement to a guidance. Masks, while still recommended, are no longer required at childcare centers, barber shops and salons.
Elective surgeries at hospitals may resume if a hospital keeps 10 percent of its capacity available for coronavirus patients.
“Since the beginning of the pandemic, protecting Nebraska’s hospitals has been the ‘north star’ guiding our strategic response to the coronavirus,” said Ricketts. “Coronavirus hospitalizations have decreased from where they were three weeks ago. As a result, we’re updating the State’s DHMs in keeping with our pandemic plan. The virus is still present in our communities, and we all need to continue using the tools we have to slow its spread. I especially urge Nebraskans to be mindful of at-risk loved ones when making plans to celebrate the holidays. Let’s all take personal responsibility to stay healthy and keep Nebraska headed in the right direction.”
An executive order allowing public bodies to meet virtually will stay in effect through Jan. 31, 2021.
As of press time, there have been 97 deaths in the Panhandle, with 15 new deaths being reported since last Monday. On Dec. 10, officials announced 13 of those deaths: two men in Cheyenne County in their 60s; one man in Kimball County in his 80s; in Morrill County one female in her 80s, one man in his 70s and one man in his 80s; in Scotts Bluff County one woman in her 70s, two women in their 80s, one woman in her 90s, one man in his 60s and one man in his 80s; one man in Sheridan County in his 80s. On Dec. 14, officials announced two additional deaths: one man in his 90s in Kimball County and one man in his 80s in Scotts Bluff County.
“We wish to express our sincerest condolences with the friends and loved ones in the loss of our fellow Panhandle residents. We share peace and comfort with you especially during this holiday season,” said Kim Engel, Panhandle Public Health District Director in a press release.
During the Unified Command briefing on Monday, officials noted that 22 deaths are pending verification from the state.
As of press time, in Box Butte County there have been 741 cases since testing began in March, with 119 active, 615 recovered and seven that have resulted in death. According to the district’s COVID-19 dashboard, at Alliance Public Schools there are seven cases active in the district, and 91 cases that have recovered, bringing the total to 98 since the school year began. There were a total of 28 people quarantined in the district.
At Hemingford Public Schools, there have been 10 cases since the school year began, all of which have recovered. There were no active cases as of press time. A total of four people were quarantined in the district.
The total number of cases in the Panhandle since testing began was 6,948, as of press time, with 1,358 active, 5,493 recovered and 97 cases that resulted in death: Banner County has had 15 cases, with four active and 11 recovered; Cheyenne County has had 644 cases, with 126 active, 508 recovered and 10 that resulted in death; Dawes County has had 521 cases, with 56 active, 448 recovered and 17 that resulted in death; Deuel County has had 67 cases, with 23 active and 44 recovered; Garden County has had 84 cases, with six active and 78 recovered; Grant County has had 20 cases with eight active, 10 recovered and two that resulted in death; Kimball County has had 280 cases, with 98 active, 177 recovered and five that resulted in death; Morrill County has had 394 cases, with 49 active, 337 recovered and eight that resulted in death; Scotts Bluff County has had 3,818 cases, with 793 active, 2,985 recovered and 40 that resulted in death; Sheridan County has had 338 cases, with 73 active, 258 recovered and seven that resulted in death; Sioux County has had 20 cases, with one active, 18 recovered and one that resulted in death.