COVID Update

As of Sept. 28, the Nebraska Panhandle has experienced nine deaths related to the COVID-19 virus.

The Panhandle Public Health District reported 14,052 people have been tested since March. Of that number, 810 cases returned positive for COVID-19, and 716 of those have recovered. There are three active hospitalizations at this time, 80 active cases, 779 total recovered of 868 positive cases for a cumulative positivity rate of 6.1 percent.

The risk dial used by the Unified Command shows the region moved slightly ahead toward the middle point of Moderate and High of the four-point dial, a range of Low, Moderate, High and Severe.

As of Sept. 21 there have been 494 female cases and 374 male cases. More than 400 of the confirmed cases were by Close Contact, about 250 by Community Spread and a small number by Travel. Most of the confirmed cases occurred in the 20 to 29 year old age group, followed by 40 to 49 and 10 to 19. Infants and children were the smallest age group, followed by patients 80 years of age and older.

Gov. Pete Ricketts did recently move the state to Phase 4 of the Directed Health Measure. Phase 4 relaxes some of the restrictions placed social gatherings and business interactions.

Jessica Davies, Assistant Health Director and Wellness Coordinator at Panhandle Public Health District, said quarantine and isolation are still required if ordered, and indoor gathering limits for an occupancy of 500 or more are still at 75 percent, and must complete an event application on the available on the PPHD website.

Davies added the Directed Health Measures are not what guides long-term facilities and nursing homes. These facilities are under the authority of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.