Coronavirus case updates: August 24, 2020

OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — As coronavirus cases come in throughout our area on Monday, KMTV will update this story with the latest numbers. Check back often for updates. The latest updates will be posted at the top. You can find a tally of cases at area schools here.

NEBRASKA

DOUGLAS COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

• The Health Department reported 56 new cases of COVID-19, as received by midnight the previous day. This makes 12,721 cases in Douglas County since the outbreak began in March.
• The Health Department received no new death certificates related to COVID-19 during the past day. The total number of deaths in the county related to the pandemic remains at 150.
• The county has confirmed 8751 county residents have recovered from the illness.
• As of this morning, metro area hospitals had 251 medical and surgical beds available for an 82 percent occupancy rate. There were 100 inpatients diagnosed with COVID-19 and 30 additional persons of interest (generally waiting for test results). Eleven individuals who were confirmed or suspected of having COVID-19 were on ventilators.

LINCOLN-LANCASTER COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT:

Today’s update does not include all reported cases. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department are currently working through technical difficulties with lab reporting data. Additional data will be included with future updates as the data reporting issue is resolved.

Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird and the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department (LLCHD) announced that six lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Lancaster County today, bringing the community total to 3,641. The number of deaths in the community remains at 19.

Visit COVID19.lincoln.ne.gov to access a dashboard that summarizes Lancaster County COVID-19 data. LLCHD also released the following information today:

Recoveries: up from 1,697 to 1,726

Overall positivity rate:

• Lancaster County – remains at 6.7 percent
• State – remains at 9.4 percent
• National – remains at 9 percent

Hospitalizations for COVID-19 positive patients: 17 with five from Lancaster County and 12 from other communities (one on ventilator).

The testing process begins with a free online risk assessment available at BryanHealth.com, CHIHealth.com or TestNebraska.com. Drive through test sites include:

• Bryan Health: LifePointe, 7501 S. 27th St.
• CHI Health St. Elizabeth: Gateway Mall, 6100 “O” St., northwest corner of the mall.
• Test Nebraska: Gateway Mall, northwest corner of the mall. Test Nebraska appointment times are from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 6 p.m. today through Saturday.

The COVID-19 Risk Dial is at “Yellow,” indicating a moderate risk of the virus spreading. Residents are advised to follow these recommendations to protect themselves and others:

• Limit activities outside the home.
• Stay at least six feet from others when outside the home.
• Wear face masks and wash hands frequently.
• Attend gatherings and events only with modifications such as physical distancing, face masks, etc.
• Follow CDC Travel Guidelines available at cdc.gov.
• Those at risk of complications from COVID-19 should continue to minimize close contact with others.

NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES

• Staff member at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution has tested positive for COVID-19
• Person is self-isolating
• 58 staff members have tested positive and 53 have recovered

IOWA