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Jan Schultz | Johnson Publications
Monday was the first of six weekly TestNebraska collections in Imperial. Here, hospital employees Kay Schmidt, left, and Maria Murillo record the QR code shown by Elisa Large as she drives through for her test.

Thanksgiving brings additional concerns for health district

Nine-county area continues to see increased cases

    With Thanksgiving arriving Thursday, words of caution are being issued by health professionals at the Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department (SWNPHD).
    That comes as new cases increased again the past week.
    SWNPHD had 363 new cases of COVID-19 reported the week of Nov. 17-23.
    That’s up from 240 in last week’s report, and 184 during the week of Nov. 2-9.
    “Nebraskans are in a difficult situation, and our choices are affecting each other more than ever before,” said Heidi Wheeler, Assistant Director at SWNPHD.  
    “As the situation continues to worsen, we ask you to remember those people in your communities who are fighting on the front lines—the healthcare workers who are away from their families so that they can care for yours.  Please do what you can to lessen the burden on our hospitals and clinics by choosing to stay at home,” she said.
    In Chase County, new cases were at the same level as last week with 24.
    New cases in the other SWNPHD counties show: Dundy-16; Frontier-22; Furnas-50; Hayes-2; Hitchcock-17; Keith-105; Perkins-20; and Red Willow-107.
    This brings the total for the health district since records starting being kept to 1,734 cases with 1,156 cases recovered.
    Three additional deaths due to COVID-19 were also reported the past week.
    There is community spread occurring in all nine counties, according to SWNPHD.
    With Thanksgiving ahead, SWNPHD suggests that it would be best to celebrate with people you live with, use online contact or socially distanced options to connect with those outside your household.
    “Southwest Nebraska is seeing many COVID-19 cases spreading from one household to another due to small gatherings with family and friends,” according to health director Myra Stoney.  
    “If you do choose to visit others or travel this season, be sure to take extra precautions such as carrying hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes or spray, and extra masks,” she suggests.
    The COVID-19 Community Risk Dial for the health district remains in red, meaning residents of southwest Nebraska are at severe risk of contracting COVID-19.
    In Nebraska, the latest week’s total of COVID-19 cases stood at 103,805 as of Nov. 17. Eighty-six COVID-19-related deaths were reported last week, for a total of 816.
    A total of 54,604 Nebraskans diagnosed with COVID-19 have since recovered.
     Daily hospitalizations in the week’s report increased by 118 to 978 statewide.
    The daily average number of new positive cases for the last seven days is 2,296 compared to a daily average of 1,953 new cases last week, and 1,241 and 852 cases in prior weeks.
Weekly TestNebraska here
    Twenty-four people went through Monday’s TestNebraska two-hour collection at the Imperial EMS building.
    After Chase County Community Hospital became an approved site, TestNebraska scheduled a series of Monday testings in Imperial through December.
    Linda Nelson, respiratory therapist, said seven to eight hospital employees staffed the collection session, which will continue for five more Mondays through Dec. 28.
    She said the 24 tested Monday was a good number for the hospital’s first time staffing it.
    “We’ll take what we can get,” she said.
    The same format will be followed in the next five Monday testings, she said.
    Appointments are necessary by going to TestNebraska.com.
    Eligible residents will receive a QR code good for eight days. The code will be unique to that specific individual and not transferable.
    Residents approved for testing should bring the QR code and their driver’s license to the appointment. Those without access to the internet may call the TestNebraska call center for assistance at 402-207-9377.
    Future test dates at the Imperial EMS building, from 7 to 9 a.m., are Nov. 30, Dec. 7, Dec. 14, Dec. 21 and Dec. 28.

 

The Imperial Republican

308-882-4453 (Phone)

622 Broadway St

PO Box 727

Imperial, NE 69033