UPDATE: Panhandle Public Health Announces Risk Level Moved to 'High'

The Panhandle Public Health District (PPHD) released a statement Monday afternoon, Oct. 12, that six Panhandle counties have joined Box Butte County in moving to orange on the risk dial. The risk dial is a four-level definition of COVID-19's impact on the Panhandle region. Green is the lowest level, then Yellow (Moderate), Orange (High risk) and finally Red (Severe risk). The chart has shown a slow but steady increase in recent weeks. The PPHD stresses the chart is only guidance and does not replace federal, state and local directed health measures.

The PPHD reports a total of 1,106 COVID-19 c...