Lincoln With Twelfth Death From COVID-19

Photo courtesy of 10/11 Now

(KFOR NEWS June 26, 2020) Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird and the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department (LLCHD) today announced that a 12th resident has died from COVID-19 in Lincoln. Eleven lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Lincoln today, bringing the community total to 1,659.

Health Director Pat Lopez said that the individual was a female in her 50s who was hospitalized. Mayor Gaylor Baird expressed condolences to her family and friends on behalf of the City.

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 545 to 547

Overall positivity rate:

Lancaster County – down from 6.7 percent to 6.6 percent
State – remains at 11.2 percent
National – remains at 10.3 percent

Hospitalizations for COVID-19 positive patients: remains at 22, with 14 Lancaster County residents (five on ventilators), and eight from other communities (none 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. Begin the process with a free online risk assessment available at BryanHealth.com and CHIHealth.com. Testing is by appointment only. Bryan Health offers drive-through testing at LifePointe, 7501 S. 27th Street. CHI Health St. Elizabeth offers drive-through testing site at North Star High School, 5801 N. 33rd Street.

Next week’s Test Nebraska site and schedule will be announced soon. Testing is now open to all Lancaster County residents. Testing is by appointment only. Begin the process with a free online risk assessment at TestNebraska.com.

The COVID-19 Risk Dial is at “Yellow,” indicating a moderate risk of the virus spreading. Residents are advised to follow these recommendations to protect themselves and others:

Consider staying at home most of the time, with caution for non-essential travel and work
Distance at least six feet from anyone outside the home
Cautious expansion of interactions with others, outdoor activities preferred
Gatherings only with modifications for COVID-19
Events only within guidance by the Health Department

Face coverings continued to be recommended to be used around other people
Continue to wash hands regularly, disinfect highly touched surfaces and monitor for illness

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