Just Like Last Few Weeks, COVID Figures Remain Relatively Flat

Oct. 12, 2021, 1 p.m. ·

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Both COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Nebraska remain plateaued this week just as they had the past weeks, according to the latest statistics.

The state's 7-day average of cases is down 5% from the week before, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As of last Friday, the average stood around 640 cases statewide. A week earlier, about 680 Nebraskans tested positive for the virus.

Hospitalizations also remained plateaued. On Monday, there were 411 Nebraskans are hospitalized with the virus, according to the state's dashboard. Despite the relatively flat trajectory of COVID hospitalizations, bed capacity statewide remains strained. Between just 20-25% of hospital beds remain open because of the pandemic and regular operations.

Rural counties scattered throughout the state hold the highest rates of COVID transmission, according to the dashboard. The average statewide case rate stands at 380. Banner, Box Butte, Cheyenne, Frontier, Hooker, McPherson, Merrick and Sheridan counties all hold transmission rates greater than 1,000.

In all, nearly 68% of the population older than 12 has a COVID vaccine, while another 5% is partially protected .