The number of active COVID-19 cases across the Nebraska panhandle continues to rise. 

Monday, health officials confirmed 551 new cases and 303 recoveries since they last reported Thursday, Nov. 12. No new deaths were reported.

The Panhandle public health's risk dial moved further into the red category, indicating a severe risk for COVID-19 spread. All of the counties in the panhandle are now also in the severe category, according to Panhandle Public Health District (PPHD). 

Last week's positivity rate was 51.1 percent, which is lower than the prior week's rate of 62.8 percent, according to PPHD data.

Here is a breakdown of new cases by county: 

Scotts Bluff - 341

Cheyenne - 94

Box Butte - 35

Morrill - 27

Dawes - 17

Sheridan - 15

Kimball - 14

Banner, Grant, Garden - 2 each

Under investigation - 2

Here is a breakdown of new recoveries by county: 

Scotts Bluff - 171

Cheyenne - 32

Box Butte - 29

Morrill - 22

Dawes - 19

Sheridan - 14

Kimball - 7

Garden - 6

Deuel - 3

TOTALS BY COUNTY (As of Nov. 16)

Banner: 7 cases (2 active, 5 recovered)

Box Butte: 494 cases (111 active, 381 recovered, 2 deaths)

Cheyenne: 376 cases (173 active, 203 recovered)

Dawes: 404 cases (78 active, 320 recovered, 6 deaths)

Deuel: 29 cases (6 active, 23 recovered)

Garden: 65 cases (18 active, 47 recovered)

Grant: 11 cases (4 active, 6 recovered, 1 death)

Kimball: 135 cases (58 active, 77 recovered)

Morrill: 269 cases (87 active, 182 recovered)

Scotts Bluff: 2,599 cases (1,567 active, 1,018 recovered, 14 deaths)

Sheridan: 235 cases (61 active, 174 recovered)

Sioux: 14 cases (2 active, 11 recovered, 1 death)

TOTALS FOR THE REGION (As of Nov. 16)

Positive cases: 4,644

Active: 2,172

Recovered: 2,448

Deaths: 24

Active hospitalizations: 78

Tests conducted: 23,658

Cumulative positivity rate: 19.6 percent