Number of vaccines distributed passes 5,000 in panhandle

Health officials in the panhandle continue to outline the latest with COVID-19 in the region every week. 

Panhandle Public Health District (PPHD) officials say there have been 110 new COVID-19 cases in the area over the past week. There have also been two more COVID-19 related deaths. Both are men from Sheridan County. One was in their 60s and the other in his 70s. 

The total number of COVID-19 related deaths for the panhandle is now 175. 

On the vaccine front, health officials say over 5,600 people have received the COVID-19 vaccine in the panhandle. Officials are beginning phase 1B of the state's distribution plan, which begins with a focus on people aged 65 and older. 

PPHD says they're continuing to work on those aged 75 and older along with health care workers and long term care facility residents. They hope to move into the younger group in a few weeks. 1,400 more doses of the vaccine are set to arrive in the panhandle this week. 

With the launch of the state's online vaccine registration site, everyone 18 and older is now encouraged to sign up for the vaccine. State officials said over 54,000 people signed up for a vaccine the same day the state's registration site was launched last week. 

Health officials also said those who have received both doses of the vaccine will not be required to quarantine if determined to be a close contact. 

You can find links to the signup websites on the homepage of Panhandle Public Health District, pphd.org.

As for the risk dial, it continued its downward trend, but remains in the orange, or high risk category. All counties and cities remain in the orange as well, with the exception of Big Springs and Hemingford, which dropped to the yellow, or moderate risk category. 

The panhandle's risk dial is merely an evaluation of the risk for COVID-19 spread in areas throughout the panhandle. It does not carry any requirements with it. A new directed health measure took effect Saturday that lifted restrictions on many industries throughout the state.