OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — As coronavirus cases come in throughout our area on Tuesday, 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 school cases here.
NEBRASKA
DOUGLAS COUNTY
- On Tuesday, October 6, the Douglas County Health Department (DCHD) reported 100 new cases of COVID-19 that were received by midnight the previous day. This makes 17,271 total cases in Douglas County since the outbreak began in March.
- The Health Department received one new death certificate during the past day related to COVID-19. A man over 70 sadly has passed. The number of deaths connected to the pandemic now is 197.
- DCHD has confirmed 13.076 county residents have recovered from the illness.
- As of this morning, metro area hospitals had 200 medical and surgical beds available for an 86 percent occupancy rate with 33 Intensive Care Unit (ICIU) beds available for an 89% occupancy rate. There were 123 individuals hospitalized who have been diagnosed with COVID19 and 30 more persons of interest (generally waiting for test results). Fourteen individuals who were confirmed or suspected of having COVID-19 were on ventilators.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently issued updated guidance regarding how COVID-19 is spread. The Douglas County Health Department (DCHD) wants to clarify this information about airborne spread of the virus.
DCHD and the CDC continue to believe, based on current science, that people are more likely to become infected the longer and closer they are to a person with COVID-19. It now appears there are some limited, uncommon circumstances, where people with COVID-19 have infected others who were more than 6 feet away or shortly after the COVID-19-positive person left an area.
These generally occur in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces that often involve activities that caused heavier breathing, like singing or exercise. These activities may have contributed to the buildup of virus-carrying particles. CDC and DCHD recommendations remain the same based on existing science and a review of the guidance.
You can protect yourself from COVID-19 by staying at least 6 feet away from others, wearing a mask that covers your nose and mouth, frequent hand washing, and staying home when you’re sick.
LINCOLN-LANCASTER COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
- The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department (LLCHD) today announced that another resident has died from COVID-19, bringing the total number of deaths in Lancaster County to 27. The individual was a man in his 70s who was hospitalized. Mayor Gaylor Baird expresses condolences to his family and friends on behalf of the City.
- Seventy-nine lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Lancaster County today, bringing the community total to 7,004.
- Recoveries: up from 2,803 to 2,868
- Overall positivity rate:
- Lancaster County – remains at 8.5 percent
- State – remains at 10.1 percent
- National – remains at 8 percent
- The COVID-19 Risk Dial is at “Orange,” indicating a high risk of the virus spreading.