Tough COVID Period Ahead

Assistant Director Jessica Davies from Panhandle Public Health District told the Observer that the region is now “entering a difficult phase with the COVID pandemic where people need to think through their Thanksgiving and Christmas safety plans and not gathering in large groups. It remains critical for people to not let their guard down with safety precautions.”

Davies said there “will come a time when standard family get-togethers will be safe again, but this isn’t the time unfortunately. I’ve seen where Zoom is lifting its 40-minute time limit for free meetings. What a perfect way for people to connect via distance. It’s important to remember that the act of staying apart is the act of love this year.”

Kimball County has remained consistently in the 25-38 daily active case range, but unfortunately PPHD had another death to report in Kimball County on Monday, a male in his 60s.

Scotts Bluff County currently has just under 2,000 active cases and to the east of Kimball County, Cheyenne County has 118 active cases.

On Nov. 30, PPHD reported that Kimball County had five new cases but by Dec. 1 new cases had risen by 10 to 35 active cases. People are being urged to stay home, shop local.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services website reports that the “Last 14 Day Totals” have Kimball at 34, Cheyenne County at 181, Morrill County at 106 and Scotts Bluff County at 366.

COVID Act Now lists all 93 counties of Nebraska along with each one’s population and then calculates “Daily New Cases Per 100K.” Number 2 on that list is Morrill County with a population of 4,600 and Daily New Cases Per 100K is 221.6. Cheyenne County is right behind in third place with 8,900 population and 181.2 Daily New Cases Per 100K.

In this particular instance, it is good to be at the lower end of the list. Kimball County is listed as number 68 with a population of 3,600 and DNC per 100K at 62.9.

A little encouraging news has come in the form of the PPHD COVID-19 Risk Dial jumping backward almost into the high category. The COVID-19 Risk Dial provides a summary of the current conditions for PPHD area.

While nationally encouraging news about the COVID-19 vaccine is making headlines, there remains a lot of winter to test the resolve of people.

Safety and precautionary reminders are the best way to keep the public aware of the cause and effect of spreading infections of COVID-19. Precautions include physical distancing, staying home if sick, masks, washing hand frequently, coughing into your elbow and avoiding touching your face.

Nebraska has adopted the Three Cs, which are avoid crowded places, avoid close contact and avoid confined spaces.