Those who register are being inoculated as COVID-19 vaccine becomes available

The health district that includes Chase County is currently administering the vaccine in the target population of Phase 1A (healthcare workers) and 1B (65+, first responders, other essential workers and 18+ or older with existing high-risk medical conditions).
“COVID-19 vaccine clinics are frequently fully scheduled, so it is important to register and get your name on a waiting list,” said Myra Stoney, Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department (SWNPHD) director.
The health department is requesting that people not call their office, but rather register for the vaccine online.
Then, with a call back from the  health department, appointments will be made as additional vaccine becomes available, Stoney said.
COVID shots cannot be given on a walk-in basis. Prior registration is required.
“Please know that it may be several weeks or even months before you receive a call to schedule your vaccination,” she added.
Once people have registered for and received the first dose, it is not necessary to register again for the second dose.
The most recent number of first-dose vaccinations in Chase County stands at 378, which is just under 10% of the total population, she said.
Stoney said the vaccine will not be available to the general population until at least May.
CCCH vaccine schedule
Chase County Community Hospital (CCCH) has been receiving allotted shipments  of vaccine to administer first doses as well as second doses, which are automatically scheduled following the first shot, said Shawn Jaeger, CCCH Foundation and Marketing Coordinator.
“We completed another 100 doses yesterday (Monday), and we are hoping to receive additional vaccine either this week or next,” said Jaeger.
If the vaccine arrives in time, vaccinations will be given again on Monday, Feb. 15, he said.
“Vaccinations in Nebraska can only be given to Nebraska residents who have registered ahead of time,” Jaeger said.
In Chase County only, people who are wanting to get their name on a list to receive the first dose of the vaccine may also contact Kay Schmidt at 308-882-7217 at CCCH, he added.
“Moving forward, all vaccinations will be given at CCCH,” Jaeger said.
Availability of the vaccine will be posted on the CCCH website at chasecountyhospi tal.com or the hospital Facebook page.
Manor residents, staff
The Imperial Manor and Parkview-Heights residents and staff have continued to be COVID free since the middle of January, and they are now listed as “green” on both sides, said Eric Haider, CEO.
The facilities still can’t allow outside visitors in, he said.
“Nearly all residents in the entire facility have received the first dose of COVID vaccine along with a portion of the staff,” he added.
The second dose is scheduled to be given Thursday as well as a first dose for those who want it, he said.
Information, registration
Information about COVID and vaccination schedules in the district that includes Chase County can be found on the SWNPHD website.
For information or to register to receive the vaccine, go to swhealth.ne.gov.
Individuals on the waiting list will be contacted by phone when the vaccine is available.
Information can also be found at dhhs.ne.gov.
District cases dip below 100
Last week was the first time new cases dropped below 100 in SWNPHD since early October last year.  
The district had 71 new cases of COVID-19 during the week of Jan. 26 to Feb. 1. That compares to 139 the week before.
Only five new cases were reported in Chase County.
A breakout in the other counties shows these newest case numbers: Dundy-10; Frontier-0; Furnas-23; Hayes-0; Hitchcock-6; Keith-6; Perkins-0; and Red Willow-21.
Stoney said the decrease in cases, while still high, comes as a relief to public health workers, hospitals and clinics who have been under a heavy burden since the fall wave began.
“SWNPHD continues to recommend taking precautions when out in public and avoiding the 3 C’s: crowded places, close contact and closed spaces,” she said.
Public health officials are also monitoring the spread of viruses that are a variation of COVID-19, Stoney noted, in particular variations from the UK, South Africa and Brazil.          “These COVID variants have been found in the U.S. and are expected to cause increased cases and outbreaks. This is one of the reasons for continuing to practice precaution,” she added.