2020 Media Releases

Date:

October 19, 2020

Media Contact:

Patricia Lopez, RN, MSN, Health Director, 402-441-8000

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

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Lincoln Has Two More Deaths From COVID-19

Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird and the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department (LLCHD) today announced that two residents have died from COVID-19, bringing the total number of deaths in Lancaster County to 37. The individuals were a woman in her 70s and a man in his 60s who were both hospitalized. On behalf of the City, Mayor Gaylor Baird expresses condolences to their families and friends.

LLCHD reports 93 lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Lancaster County today, bringing the community total to 8,205.

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 3,526 to 3,580

Overall positivity rate:

• Lancaster County - remains at 8.8 percent
• State - up from 10.5 percent to 10.7 percent
• National - down from 7.7 percent to 7.6 percent

Hospitalizations for COVID-19 positive patients: 53 with 24 from Lancaster County (three on ventilators) and 29 from other communities (one on a ventilator).

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.
• CHI Health St. Elizabeth and Test Nebraska: Gateway Mall, 6100 "O" St., northwest corner of the mall. Test Nebraska's hours are 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.

The COVID-19 Risk Dial is at "Elevated 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.