Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First

Cases Rise To 56 In County

Pandhandle Readying For Vaccine Arrival

The Panhandle Public Health District’s Risk Dial has slid backward just a little and is on the border of the severe/high range for the current week.

On Monday, the number of active cases in Kimball County was 38, which was a bit lower than Friday’s number of active cases.

Also on Monday, Kimball County reported nine new cases since the last report on Dec. 3. By Tuesday afternoon, the number of active cases in Kimball County had leaped to 56.

If you are heading west of Kimball, Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon has ordered a mask mandate effective Wednesday, Dec 9, and it will expire on Jan. 8. Gordon said the public health order covers a “statewide mask mandate in certain indoor public places, tighter restrictions on gathering sizes and a reduction in hours for certain business. Too many people have died.”

Starting off the week, the Kimball Public School announced: “Due to multiple high school students testing positive for COVID-19, the following events scheduled for this week have been cancelled: Junior High & High School Vocal Christmas Concert scheduled for December 8. Junior High & High School Instrumental Christmas Concert scheduled for December 10. Veterans Day Program scheduled for December 11. The following events scheduled for this week have been rescheduled: High School Boys and Girls Basketball vs. Perkins County will be held on February 1 and High School Boys and Girls Basketball at Morrill will be held on January 11.”

In addition, Superintendent Trevor Anderson responded to an email from the Observer and said he “will be releasing a statement either later today (Tuesday) or first thing tomorrow (Wednesday) pertaining to the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in the community and school district and how the district plans on moving forward to finish out the first semester.”

PPHD has released information about the vaccine: “The Panhandle is readying for the first phase of receiving the COVID vaccine. It will be the Moderna vaccine. The first tier to receive vaccines will be:

Healthcare Providers, Long-term Care Employees and Emergency Medical Services.

“There will be no cost for the vaccine; however, there may be an administration fee. Currently, studies show a very rare chance of serious adverse effects, but more data is being gathered. The U.S. vaccine safety system ensures that all vaccines are as safe as possible. You will not test positive for COVID after receiving the vaccine.”