Covid Risk Remains Moderate In Lancaster County

Lincoln, NE (June 14, 2022) The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department (LLCHD) today announced that the COVID-19 Risk Dial will remain in elevated yellow for a second week as key indicators are holding steady. The yellow position on the dial means that the risk of the virus spreading in the community is moderate. On the color-coded dial, red represents the highest risk of COVID-19 spread, and green represents the lowest risk.

The position of the risk dial is based on multiple indicators:

• Cases decreased slightly over the past week – from 533 cases to 496 for the week ending June 11.
• Data for COVID-19 hospitalizations also showed a slight decrease – the 7-day rolling average of hospitalizations dropped from 29.3 the previous week to 28.4 as of June 13. Today, local hospitals are reporting 32 COVID-19 patients with 24 from Lancaster County.
• Wastewater surveillance identified a slight decrease in virus particles compared to the previous week.
• The local positivity rate was higher – from 14.4% the previous week to 16.7% the week ending June 11.

The health department continues to encourage people to follow the current public health guidance posted at covid19.lincoln.ne.gov. Recommendations include the following:

• Get vaccinated and boosted.
• Wear a mask if you have COVID-19 like symptoms, have a positive COVID-19 test, or have been exposed to someone with the virus.
• Get tested or self-test if you have COVID-19 or flu-like symptoms or have been exposed to someone with the virus.
• Stay home if you’re sick.
• If you test positive, ask your health care provider about COVID-19 treatments that may be available to you or find a test and treat location at covid.gov.
• If you test negative but continue to experience COVID-like symptoms, follow up with your health care provider.
• Those over age 65 and people with medical conditions associated with higher risk for severe COVID-19 should consult with their health care providers about taking additional protective actions.

COVID-19 continues to circulate in the community so it’s important to stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccines, which includes getting booster doses when eligible. If you’re eligible for a booster or haven’t yet received the primary series, LLCHD strongly encourages you to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

All Lancaster County residents age 5 and older are eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccine and a first booster dose. Those age 50 and older and those age 12 and older with weakened immune systems are eligible for a second booster dose.

Find COVID-19 information and upcoming vaccination clinic dates and locations at covid19.lincoln.ne.gov or by calling the health department at 402-441-4200.