32% Of Panhandle Residents Vaccinated So Far

Panhandle Public Health District reported no new COVID-19 cases in Kimball County for the past week, and the county is in the yellow or moderate risk category.

All of the Panhandle counties are in the yellow or green category. One year ago, on March 29, the first case of COVID-19 appeared in the Panhandle; that case was in Scotts Bluff County.

Almost 32% of Panhandle adults have received their vaccination, and COVID doses regularly arrive in the area. This week 2,700 doses, plus the required second doses, will arrive. Anyone over the age of 18 can sign up and receive their vaccination.

Variant cases of the virus have been identified in the eastern part of the state. PPHD has not confirmed any in this area’s health district, but there are concerns that the variant is likely more contagious, so PPHD can’t urge people enough to get COVID vaccinated.

PPHD confirmed that vaccinated people have 100% protection against severe illness, hospitalization and death. Additionally, vaccinated people will not be required to quarantine due to close contact.