COVID numbers, positivity rates continue to drop

    In the latest update from the Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department, 42 cases of COVID-19 were recorded in the  district between Feb. 14-20.
    The weekly average of COVID tests conducted in the district fell by 42% in the last week compared to the previous month, said health director Myra Stoney. Six percent of all tests were positive in the last week, about half the positivity rate of the previous month in the previous month.
    Ten additional deaths due to COVID-19 were reported to SWNPHD from the end of December to mid-February, Stoney said, bringing the total number of deaths to 102 in the district since record-keeping started.
    A total of 54.4% percent of Furnas County’s population has received the minimum recommended COVID vaccination dose, and leads all other counties in the district, Stoney said.
    In Chase County, 43.5% have been vaccinated.
    Low vaccination rates and slow uptake rates are causing concern with SWNPHD health officials, she added, especially among younger residents of Hayes, Hitchcock and Dundy counties.
    Hayes County has the lowest number of its population vaccinated at 32.2%, while Hitchcock County is at 38.6% and Dundy County at 39%. Frontier County is also at a 39% vaccination rate.