Five new COVID-19 cases confirmed in district

Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department (SWNPHD) released this week that five new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the health district.
Perkins County reported its first confirmed case—a female in her 50s. She is currently self-isolating at home.
The source of the infection is still under investigation and contract tracing is underway.
Other new cases include three Keith County residents—a male in his 80s and a female in her 60s, both related to direct contact, and a female in her 30s related to community spread.
The fifth case is one Frontier County resident—a male in his 20s, related to travel.
    These cases brings the total to 30 positive COVID-19 cases in SWNPHD.
The health district includes Chase, Dundy, Frontier, Furnas, Hayes, Hitchcock, Keith, Perkins and Red Willow counties.
TestNebraska events are now being conducted by three local healthcare providers.  Mark’s Pharmacy of Cambridge and Community Hospital of McCook have received a contract from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services to give residents access to free COVID-19 testing in the health district.
Banner Health Systems of Ogallala is currently in process to receive their contract.
Anyone interested in being tested for COVID-19 can go to testnebraska.com to take the health assessment and make an appointment at one of the local testing events, with or without symptoms.
The health district is currently in Phase 3 of the Directed Health Measures. A copy of the DHM is located on their website.
For more information on COVID-19 in southwest Nebraska, visit www.swhealth.ne.gov.