OMAHA, Neb. — On Friday, November 20, the Douglas County Health Department reported 680 new cases of COVID-19 that were received as of midnight the past day. The total number of cases in Douglas County now is 34,648 since the pandemic began in March.
During the past day, DCHD has received 14 new death certificates related to the pandemic. The county reported that one man and one woman in their 60s passed away, as well as seven men and five women more than 75 years of age. The number of deaths in the county connected to the pandemic now totals 295. The Health Department has confirmed 17,666 county residents have recovered from COVID-19.
At a press conference this morning, Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert provided an update on mask-mandate enforcement in the city and concerns over rising numbers.
She said no citations have been issued at this point for violating the mask mandate and that businesses found to be in violation are complying after contact from police and education on the mandate. Followup visits are also being carried out in addition to the surprise compliance checks.
Stothert also provided an update on Omaha Police Officers Union President Tony Conner who is currently battling the virus. She said he is still hospitalized and is in critical condition.
The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department is also reporting additional cases and deaths:
Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird and the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department (LLCHD) today announced that two more residents have died from COVID-19, bringing the total number of deaths in Lancaster County to 66. The individuals were a woman in her 90s and a man in his 70s who had both been hospitalized. On behalf of the City, Mayor Gaylor Baird expresses condolences to their families and friends.
LLCHD reports 184 lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Lancaster County today, bringing the community total to 14,006.
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 4,835 to 4,879
Weekly positivity rate:
- November 8 through 14: 29.1 percent
- November 15 through 20: 29.1 percent
Hospitalizations for COVID-19 positive patients: 169 with 65 from Lancaster County (six on ventilators) and 104 from other communities (12 on ventilators).
The COVID-19 Risk Dial is now in the red position. The red dial position indicates a severe risk of the virus spreading. Residents are advised to follow these recommendations to protect themselves and others:
- Stay at home unless traveling for work, school, food or medical care or to check on others who may need assistance.
- Work from home if possible.
- Wear a face mask when interacting with anyone outside of your household.
- Stay at least six feet away from anyone outside of your household.
- Avoid gatherings.
- Only visit businesses and participate in activities where public health guidelines are observed. The guidelines include mask-wearing, physical distancing and capacity limits.
- Follow travel guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control at cdc.gov.
Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, shortness of breath, repeated shaking with chills, repeated muscle pain, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell. If you have symptoms, please get tested. Testing is now open to all Lancaster County residents by appointment only.
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: Former Graham Tire Store, northeast corner of 19th and “O” streets.
- Test Nebraska: Starting Monday, November 23, the Gateway Mall location, 6100 “O” St., will be located in the north parking lot of the former Sears store. The new location will have a climate-controlled drive-through facility able to accommodate 800 to 1000 tests per day. Test Nebraska’s hours are 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. For more information, visit testnebraska.com or call, 402-207-9377.
- CHI Health St. Elizabeth: Autumn Ridge Family Medicine, 5000 North 26th St. and Southwest Family Health, 1240 Aries Drive. Call either site to schedule an appointment: Autumn Ridge at 402-435-5300 and South West Family at 402-420-1300.
LLCHD reminds the public that a flu vaccination is the most effective way to reduce the risk of getting influenza. The flu vaccine is easily accessible, and the public is encouraged to contact health care providers or find a community flu immunization location in November.
LLCHD will provide free flu immunizations to anyone age 6 months and older. For more information, call 402-441-8065 or visit lincoln.ne.gov (keyword: vaccine).
For more information, visit COVID19.lincoln.ne.gov or call the Health Department hotline at 402-441-8006.
3 News Now Anchor Courtney Johns took a look at the states of Iowa and Nebraska as a whole: