Douglas and Lancaster County See Increase in COVID Cases

Dec. 7, 2021, 8 p.m. ·

Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Director Pat Lopez standing at a podium with a wall and tv screen behind her.
Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Director Pat Lopez. (Photo from Zoom)

Douglas County Health Officials said Tuesday had the highest number of Covid-19 cases reported in a single day since December of 2020. Carol Allensowrth, division chief of the Douglas County Health Department, said the county reported 477 cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday.

"One thing I want to note is that our hospitals are full." Allensworth said.

Douglas County is seeing a 12% positivity rate, with the highest number of cases coming from the 20-34 year-old range.

The Lancaster County COVID risk dial also moved up Tuesday to the elevated orange category for the first time since February. Cases for Lancaster County are averaging 181 per day. Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Director Pat Lopez says this increase in cases is due to less testing over the Thanksgiving holiday and more indoor gatherings. Lopez offered some tips to stay healthy heading into Christmas.

"We must be mindful of our actions and remember to celebrate safely," Lopez said. "In addition to getting vaccinated and wearing masks, it's important to get tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms, to stay home if you're sick, keep your distance from others, and to wash your hands."

Lopez says after talking to health officials around the state, the main concern is increasing hospital numbers. Statewide, there are 576 active COVID hospitalizations, which is the highest figure in 2021.

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Lincoln-Lancaster County COVID risk dial has been moved to the Elevated Orange level. (Photo from livestream)