COVID update

As of July 1, the Panhandle Public Health District has recorded three deaths in the Panhandle region of Nebraska related to the COVID-19 virus.

Nine more cases were announced July 1, bringing the total to 312. Of that number 111 were active as of July 1, and 198 recovered, with three deaths.

The nine new cases include a man in his 50s in Banner County from community spread, a woman in her 50s from Dawes County by close contact, a man in his 20s whose exposure is travel-related, three from Morrill County including a woman in her 20s from community spread, and a man in his 40s and man in his 50s, both by close contact. Scotts Bluff has two new cases: a woman in her 60s from community spread and a male in his teens who contracted it through close contact.

In addition, 12 new recoveries have been announced. Two are in Cheyenne County, four in Sioux County and six in Scotts Bluff County for a total of 198 recovered.

Since March 2, 5,400 tests have been conducted, resulting in 312 positive cases for a cumulative positivity rate of 5.6 percent. There are 111 active cases, two hospitalized and 33 total cumulative hospitalizations.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), older adults and people who have severe underlying medical conditions such as heart or lung disease, or diabetes, are at a higher risk of developing complications from COVID-19. The CDC also says the best way to avoid the virus is to avoid exposure. The virus is believed to be spread mainly from person to person; between people who are in close contact; through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. The CDC says droplets can land in the mouth or nose of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled.

The CDC encourages everyone to wash before eating or preparing food, before touching your face, after using the restroom, after leaving a public place, after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing, after handling your cloth face covering, after changing a diaper, after caring for someone sick and after touching animals or pets. The CDC adds that the chance of the virus spreading from animals to people is considered low. However, the agency reports it can transmit from people to animals in some situations.

The CDC continues to encourage people wear face coverings, especially in public settings when with people who don't live in the same household and when social distancing is difficult to maintain. Cloth face coverings may help prevent people who have COVID-19 from spreading it to others, according to the CDC. Cloth face coverings should not be worn by children under the age of 2, or by anyone who has trouble breathing.

Statewide, Nebraska has recorded 19,929 positive COVID-19 cases, and 284 deaths associated with the virus. The state Department of Health and Human Services says in a July 5 report that Cheyenne County has had six positive test in the last 14 days.