COVID Positive Case Identified at Sidney High School

A Sidney High School student was identified recently as positive with the COVID-19 virus.

The announcement was made in a press release issued by the Sidney School District 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18.

The press release states the Sidney Public Schools received confirmation of high school student positive with COVID-19. The press release says the student was last in the building on Monday, Aug. 17. Jessica Davies, Assistant Health Director and Wellness Coordinator of Panhandle Public Health District, said the student has been instructed to self-isolate for 10 days.

Sidney School Superintendent Jay Ehler this morning (Aug. 19) encouraged everyone to stay positive.

“As we work through this Pandemic and learn to manage the situations that come our way, it is important that we all maintain a caring and understanding attitude,” Ehler said in a written statement.

He said everyone has a sense of what should and shouldn't be done.

“In the meantime, speaking and acting from a place of compassion and concern is the best vaccine that we have at the moment for the trials we are enduring,” he said.

Ehler discourages people from using social media platforms for negative opinions about people.

“We are at out best when we work together, support each other and follow the guidance provided y medical and public health officials,” he said.

Sidney High School officials are cooperating with public health officials. According to Jessica Davies, Assistant Health Director and Wellness Coordinator of Panhandle Public Health District, a positive case in a school does not automatically mean closure.

“When there is a confirmed COVID-19 positive case in a school or business, they are not required to close. It is public health's goal to keep everything running safely while swiftly mitigating risk through disease investigation, contact tracing and quarantining any close contacts,” Davies said Tuesday afternoon.

She added that masks and social distancing are critical prevention tools in who will then need to self-quarantine.

The Panhandle Public Health District information last updated 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18, shows a slight improvement in the Panhandle region, still within the Moderate range of the COVID-19 Risk Dial. The Risk Dial starts at Low, moves to Moderate, High and Severe is the highest category. As of Tuesday night, the Panhandle region has had an increase of 13 cases: four adults (community spread) two adults (close contact) in Dawes County, three adults in Scotts Bluff (one travel, one unknown and one close contact); three children age 19 and under (one community spread in Dawes County, one Community Spread in Scotts Bluff and one unknown in Scotts Bluff). Since March, the Panhandle has recorded 9,971 tests with 517 total positive cases and 439 recovered. There are 72 active cases — four active hospitalizations — and six deaths for a cumulative positivity rate of 5.2 percent.

The school district press release says safety protocols were in place including classroom seating charts and mask use. The safety measures are expected to help school and health officials determine close contacts. Public health officials will notify any staff or students who may need to self-quarantine.

Anyone experiencing cough, fever, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny nose, body chills, headache, loss of taste or smell, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea are encouraged to contact http://www.testnebraska.com for testing.

People are encouraged to maintain a six-foot distance from others, wash or sanitize your hands frequently, wear a mask and clean/disinfect surfaces.