All negative Covid test results offer good news

Perkins County Health Services finally got some good news on the COVID-19 outbreak at Golden Ours Convalescent Home that has claimed nine of the 14 infected residents. 

For the first time since the mid-July outbreak, COVID-19 tests administered early last week to all Golden Ours and Park Ridge assisted living residents and employees came back negative. 

That’s an important milestone, according to PCHS CEO Neil Hilton. In the week prior, 23 of 24 resident tests came back negative. 

That means that 23 of the residents have tested negative two weeks in a row.

“That is also a key element in our moving toward a position of ‘all clear,’” Hilton said.

The female resident in her 80s who tested positive in the prior round of testing has passed away. 

Of the 14 residents infected, nine have died with five others surviving the coronavirus. 

With this second round of negative tests, Hilton said those residents still in the north wing designated for Covid patients will be able to return to their own rooms. 

As a result, GOCH North will be fully cleared, cleaned and reset and will no longer be an active Covid unit, he said.

Precautionary measures and no visitors will remain in effect for the time being. 

COVID-19 cases up in district

The number of COVID-19 cases in the Southwest Nebraska Public Health District shot up during the past week with a total of 21 cases reported. 

Most came in Keith County with 14 of the 21 occurring there.

Two cases were reported in Perkins County in a male and female both from 0-19 years old. Both were infected through community spread. 

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