SWNPHD: COVID-19 continues to be threat to area

McCOOK, Neb. — The COVID-19 pandemic continues to be a threat to people in Southwest Nebraska and they need to be able to make informed decisions to protect their own health and those around them, according to the Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department.

SWNPHD had 100 new cases of COVID-19 reported from Aug. 31 to Sept. 6, 2021, bringing the weekly average to 72 cases per week in the last 30 days. A breakdown by age includes: 0 to 19 – 31; 20 to 29 – 10; 30 to 39 – 13; 40 to 49 – 12; 50 to 59 – 13; 60 to 69 – 9; 70 to 79 – 8; 80 and over – 4. The total number of cases is 4,325.  SWNPHD also received confirmation of one additional death due to COVID-19. Vaccination rates across the health district have reached 47%.  This number includes fully vaccinated as well as partially vaccinated individuals. 

 Health Director Myra Stoney commented, “The COVID-19 pandemic has changed frequently over the past year and a half. Our goal at SWNPHD has always been to help people make informed decisions about their health. Sometimes we get caught in political crosshairs, but we focus on providing information that is evidence-based. SWNPHD remains committed to recommending guidelines that are supported by quality data for the duration of the pandemic.”

Stoney continues, “As much as we would like to be done with COVID-19, it is still a threat to people in our communities. It is time to think of others around you and take steps to protect your community.”

 SWNPHD would like to answer questions that residents have about the COVID vaccines, such as: 

Is it safe for me to get a COVID-19 vaccine if I would like to have a baby one day? 

Yes. COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for everyone 12 years of age or older, including people who are trying to get pregnant now or might become pregnant in the future, as well as their partners. Getting infected with COVID-19 during pregnancy puts the mother at higher risk of severe illness. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine strongly encourages all women to receive COVID-19 vaccination when pregnant or attempting pregnancy to maximize the chance of a healthy pregnancy. Currently, no evidence shows that any vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, cause fertility problems (problems trying to get pregnant) in women or men.

Visit swhealth.ne.gov for information on COVID-19. You can also follow SWNPHD on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. SWNPHD serves Chase, Dundy, Frontier, Furnas, Hayes, Hitchcock, Keith, Perkins, and Red Willow counties.  SWNPHD is located at 404 West 10th St (1 block north of Arby’s) in McCook and can be reached by calling 308-345-4223.