LIVE at 3:30 p.m .: Lincoln response to COVID-19

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LINCOLN, Nebraska (KOLN) – The Lincoln-Lancaster County Department of Health and health officials briefed the community on the city’s efforts to prevent the spread of the coronavirus in a briefing Tuesday.

“I’d like to start today by saying thank you,” health director Pat Lopez said. “Thanks to our residents, our businesses and our schools for understanding the resettlement that last week’s mask requirement was a necessary and immediate step we needed to protect our community and get us to overcome that wave. our local situation remains critical, but our actions can help us change the course of this pandemic. “

The COVID-19 Risk Framework remains in the middle orange (high risk).

According to the LLCHD, Lancaster County makes an average of 125 new cases a day, but the rate at which they increase has slowed slightly. The increase in the positivity rate has also slowed, but remains high, at 10%. Currently, 76 patients are hospitalized with COVID-19 at Lincoln hospitals.

The LLCHD reported on Tuesday 96 confirmed laboratory cases of COVID-19. Around 114 additional cases were also reported from 23 to 27 August due to a reporting error. This brings the total community to 35,516.

The death toll from COVID-19 remains at 270.

Hospitalizations for COVID-19 positive patients: 76 with 53 from Lancaster County (4 with fans) and 23 from other communities (5 with fans)

Vaccines administered (the vaccination target is 75%):

Initiated vaccines (first doses): 196,083

Completed vaccines (second dose and J&J vaccine): 182,173

Residents 16 years of age or older who are fully vaccinated: 70.9%

Vaccines: The delta variant is driving the rapid rise in cases, hospitalizations and deaths in Lancaster County. All vaccinated people create the necessary protection for the community. The Lincoln-Lancaster County Department of Health (LLCHD) strongly urges everyone to be eligible for vaccination. Vaccination helps prevent serious illness, saves lives and slows the spread of the virus. Residents 12 years of age or older can receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Find a clinic near you at COVID19.lincoln.ne.gov. Walk-ins are welcome or make an appointment. Residents can also find a local pharmacy that offers vaccines at vaccines.gov or by sending a text message to their zip code at 438829.

Those who do not have online access or who need help with registration or scheduling can call the LLCHD COVID-19 hotline at 402-441-8006 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays.

Upcoming vaccination clinics (subject to change; welcome to all locations):

Wednesday, Sept. 1, 1 to 3 p.m., Southeast Community College Gym, 8800 St. “O” – first and second dose

Friday, Sept. 3, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., LLCHD, 3131 St. “O” – first and second dose

Wednesday, Sept. 8, 4 to 6 p.m., LLCHD – first and second dose

Friday, Sept. 10, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., LLCHD – first and second dose

Tests: The process begins with a free online risk assessment available at BryanHealth.com and CHIHealth.com. The tests are available at:

Bryan Health: Tests are available for those with symptoms at all three Bryan Urgent Care locations, 7501 S. 27th St .; 5901 N. 27th St .; and 4333 S. 86th St. No appointment required.

Hi WHO: Access tests are available at three priority care locations: Antelope Creek, 2510 S. 40th St., Suite 100; Southwest, 1240 Aries Drive; and Stevens Creek, 1601 N. 86th St. For upload tests, virtual fast 24/7 attention is available at CHIHealth.com to chat with a provider and schedule a test appointment.

Health Names: Driven tests are available at the Gateway Mall Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. No prior appointment is required, but people are advised to pre-register by visiting testing.nomihealth.com/signup/ne.

Local pharmacies, including CVS, HyVee, and Walgreens, health care provider offices, and urgent care clinics also offer testing. Those who are uninsured or underinsured can call the LLCHD COVID-19 hotline at 402-441-8006 to connect to test resources.

The Directed Health Measure remains in force until 30 September. It requires all people two years of age or older, regardless of vaccination status, to wear a mask when in an indoor space. DHM requires all building operators and owners to ensure that their patrons wear masks that are two years old or older. For a list of exceptions to the mask requirement and more information at DHM, visit covid19.lincoln.ne.gov or call 402-441-6280.

So far this month, 27 local residents have died from COVID-19, most of them deaths in a month since February. Twenty-two were not vaccinated and five were vaccinated.

The position of the Risk Dial is based on several indicators and local information from the previous three weeks:

  • The seven-day continuous average of new daily cases has been reduced to about 125.
  • The local positivity rate has dropped from 13% to 10%. This rate still indicates that the delta variant is still widespread in Lancaster County.
  • The seven-day daily average of locally hospitalized COVID-19 patients increased to 84 on August 28th.
  • Last week, the number of COVID-19 tests performed increased from about 8,200 to nearly 11,000. This is the tenth consecutive week that the tests are increasing.

The percentage of fully vaccinated population aged 16 and over in Lancaster County is now 70.8%. About 21,000 Lancaster County residents have been vaccinated in the past five weeks. About 60 percent started vaccination and about 40 percent took the second dose. All age groups starting at age 45 have achieved the goal of fully vaccinating at least 75% of the population.

Health Director Pat Lopez said everyone should continue to monitor their health and be alert for fever, cough, shortness of breath and other symptoms of COVID-19. Even if you are vaccinated, you should separate yourself from others and get tested if you have symptoms of COVID-19.

For general information about COVID-19, visit covid19.lincoln.ne.gov or call the Department of Health hotline at 402-441-8006.

Copyright 2020 KOLN. All rights reserved.

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