City of Lincoln and Lancaster County Coronavirus (COVID-19) Mitigation and Response
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Mitigation and Response
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What's Happening Now
Get vaccinated or a bivalent booster now.
COVID-19 vaccine and updated bivalent boosters are approved for everyone age 6 months and older. The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department (LLCHD) recommends residents stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations, which includes getting the updated bivalent booster.
What is up to date? You’re up to date when you’ve completed a COVID-19 primary series and got the most recent booster dose recommended for you. If you’ve completed your primary series but aren’t yet eligible for a booster, you’re also considered up to date.
LLCHD offers these vaccinations onsite at 3131 "O" St. Appointments can be scheduled online or by calling 402-441-4200. Walk-ins are also welcome Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
COVID-19 Vaccine Registration and Scheduling
Sign up and schedule your appointment
Regístrese y programe su cita
سجل وجدولة موعدك
Đăng ký và lên lịch cuộc hẹn của bạn
Moderate Risk of COVID-19 Spread
The COVID-19 Risk Dial provides a summary of current conditions in the Lincoln-Lancaster County community. Each color incorporates federal and national guidance published by public health experts and is coupled with specific guidance.
The Risk Dial was developed to help communicate the risk of spread and impact of COVID-19 in the community. Since its inception in May 2020, multiple metrics have been used based on local data. The Risk Dial currently uses five indicators: Case Rate, Health Care System Capacity, Vaccination Rate, Wastewater Surveillance and Death Rate. Indicators like Positivity Rate, Contact Tracing and Testing Turnaround Time have been retired due to the evolving landscape of COVID-19 testing.
This is only guidance and does not replace federal, state, or local directed health measures. At-risk and vulnerable populations should take stringent precautions.
More information about the Risk Dial and its metrics can be found in the Risk Dial Metrics document.
Community Guidance and Recommendations
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Outside the Home
Get Vaccinated
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- Get vaccinated as soon as possible: Vaccine Information
Physical Distancing Outside the Home
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- Avoid crowded indoor settings where distancing is difficult
- Follow CDC Travel Guidelines
Face Masks Outside the Home
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- Wear a face mask if you have allergy, cold or COVID-like symptoms
- Wear a mask based on your personal preference, informed by your vaccination status and personal level of risk
Hand Washing Outside the Home
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- Frequently wash hands for at least 20 seconds, especially after touching high contact surfaces, sneezing/coughing/touching face, or before eating
- Use hand sanitizer when handwashing is inaccessible or infeasible
Illness Monitoring Outside the Home
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- If ill with allergy, cold or COVID-like symptoms, wear a mask, get tested or use a home test, stay at home, and contact your health care provider for information and available treatments if you test positive
- Minimize contact with symptomatic people
At Home
Get Vaccinated
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- Get vaccinated as soon as possible: Vaccine Information
Physical Distancing at Home
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- No distancing for people without symptoms, unless they are under quarantine
Face Coverings at Home
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- If you or someone in your home are at high risk for severe illness, wear a mask around others
- If you or someone in your home has tested positive for COVID-19 and you are unable to fully isolate, wear a face mask
- Wear a face mask if you have allergy, cold or COVID-like symptoms
Hand Washing at Home
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- Frequently wash hands for at least 20 seconds, especially after touching high contact surfaces, sneezing/coughing/touching face, or before eating
Illness Monitoring at Home
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- If ill with allergy, cold or COVID-like symptoms, wear a mask, stay away from others in your home, get tested or use home test, and contact health care provider for information and available treatments if you test positive
- Minimize contact with symptomatic people
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At-Risk and
Vulnerable Populations -
For adults over age 65, anyone with underlying health conditions, and other populations at heightened risk from COVID-19:
- Consult with your health care provider about additional protective actions you should take
COVID-19 Testing
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COVID-19 Symptoms can include:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
At-home tests: At-home test kits are available in the main lobby of the LLCHD, 3131 "O" St., during regular business hours. Test kits are also available at all Lincoln City Library locations.
Every home in the U.S. can also order another round of free, at-home tests from the federal government this winter. Visit covidtests.gov to place an order. The Food and Drug Administration extended the shelf lives of many home COVID-19 tests. To determine if a test has a new expiration date, visit At-Home OTC COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests | FDA.
At-home test reporting: Lancaster County residents who take at-home tests may send the results to the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department. All information is confidential and protected by Nebraska State Law. Visit lincoln.ne.gov/covid19reportresults to submit results.
Bryan Health: Those with COVID-19 symptoms can receive testing at three Bryan Urgent Care locations without an appointment. Individuals MUST have symptoms to be tested. You will see a provider to evaluate symptoms and determine testing needs for COVID-19 or other illnesses.
Two options are available for COVID-19 testing based on the timing of when symptoms first appeared:
- Rapid testing: Results are available in 15 minutes, before you leave
- Molecular (PCR) testing: Results are available in 3-5 days
Bryan Urgent Care is open 7 days a week at the following locations:
- Southwest Lincoln - 7501 S. 27th St., 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Northwest Lincoln – 5901 N. 27th St., 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Southeast Lincoln – 4333 S. 86th St., 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
CHI Health: Walk-in testing is 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 drive up testing, virtual quick care is available 24/7 at CHIHealth.com to chat with a provider and schedule a testing appointment.
Local pharmacies including CVS, HyVee and Walgreens, health care provider offices and urgent care clinics also offer testing. Those uninsured or underinsured can call the LLCHD COVID-19 hotline at 402-441-8006 to be connected to testing resources.
Exposure and Isolation Guidance
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If you’ve been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, wear a mask when you’re around others and get tested at least 5 days after your exposure (or sooner if you have symptoms). If you test negative, continue taking precautions through day 10. If you test positive, follow isolation guidance.
- What to Do If You Were Exposed to COVID-19
- If you test positive or have symptoms of COVID-19, stay home at least 5 days: Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19
COVID-19 Isolation and Exposure Calculator
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s isolation and exposure calculator helps determine if you need to isolate or take other steps to prevent spreading COVID-19.
