2020 Media Releases

Date:

September 21, 2020

Media Contact:

Scott Holmes, Environmental Public Health, 402-441-8364

Tim Timmons, RN, Communicable Disease Supervisor, 402-441-8056

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Lincoln Has 24th Death From COVID-19

Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird and 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 24. The individual was a man in his 50s who was hospitalized. This death is the one reported last week from the State Penitentiary. Mayor Gaylor Baird expressed condolences to his family and friends on behalf of the City.

Seventy-six lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Lancaster County today, bringing the community total to 5,774.

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

Recoveries: remain at 2,216

Overall positivity rate:

• Lancaster County - up from 8 to 8.1 percent
• State - up from 9.6 to 9.7 percent
• National - down from 8.5 to 8.3 percent

Hospitalizations for COVID-19 positive patients: 43 with 15 from Lancaster County (one on ventilator) and 28 from other communities (two on ventilators).

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: 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 "Orange," indicating a high risk of the virus spreading. Residents are advised to follow these recommendations to protect themselves and others:

• Limit activities outside the home, unless for work, school, medical care, or food.
• Work from home when possible.
• Stay at least six feet from anyone outside the home.
• Face masks should be worn by those over two years old when indoors and when unable to physical distance.
• Avoid large gatherings.
• Attend small gatherings and events only with modifications such as physical distancing, face masks, etc.
• Follow CDC Travel Guidelines available at cdc.gov.

For more information, visit COVID19.lincoln.ne.gov or call the Health Department hotline at 402-441-8006.