Panhandle total: 444, Active: 54, Recovered: 384, Deaths: 6

The weekly risk dial update shows the Panhandle area faring slightly better, but still in yellow. Yellow equates to moderate risk of COVID-19 spread and has corresponding guidance for everyone to continue the increased precautions when at work, social settings, in public, and at home.

The Panhandle risk dial, updated each Tuesday, provides a summary of current conditions with each color incorporating federal and national guidance published by top publish health experts and scientific guidance.

The improving risk dial numbers will take each and every one of us practicing important prevention strategies and being extra safe as we near the start of school. Our common goal of getting kiddos back-to-school is the Panhandle’s united front.

Everything we can do to keep case counts and hospitalizations low is the key to communities moving forward during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Testing information and access for the Panhandle area:

You can sign up for the following free testing at Testnebraska.com or 402-207-9377:
Box Butte General Hospital in Alliance: Monday-Friday, 9-10am
Chadron Community Hospital: Mondays & Fridays, 7-9am
Collections are at 821 Morehead Street (Old Hospital ER Entrance next to Wilson Park)
Gordon Memorial Hospital: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 2-4pm
Regional West Health Services in Scottsbluff: Monday-Friday, Noon-4pm
Sidney Regional Medical Center: Tuesdays & Thursday, 7-9am
Community Action Health Center in Gering: Mondays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays, 7-8am
Testing is free, sign up at https://tinyurl.com/y7msahzq
Morrill County Community Hospital in Bridgeport: Daily
Call 308-262-1616 for testing, same day results, insurance will be billed
Contact your local hospital or clinic for information on testing access.

March 2-August 4, 2020

Total Tests Conducted: 8,320
Positive: 444
Cumulative Positivity Rate: 5.3%
Recovered: 384
Active Cases: 54
Deaths: 6
Active Hospitalizations: 1
Total Cumulative Hospitalizations: 45