COVID-19 cases have risen substantially in south-central Nebraska. On Tuesday, the South Heartland District Health Department, which represents Adams, Clay, Nuckolls and Webster counties, announced a surge of new cases.
The department said new infections reached 73 per 100,000 residents - and that figure could be higher since positive cases detected with home tests are not always reported. This qualifies as a substantial risk of infection, well over the low risk limit of 10 per 100,000.
Michele Bever is the executive director of the health department. She said the rate of increase is similar to the beginning of the Delta variant surge.
“I think what we’re paying attention to is not just the number of cases but the number of severe cases, but also paying attention to the number of severe cases,” Bever said.
Bever encourages people to stay safe and keep their vaccinations up to date.
“It’s not too late for anyone, including children, to get vaccinated. Because that’s going to help build protection against severe illness. It’s still around, the virus is still here and it’s changing," Bever said.
Bever also said all Nebraskans can go to the website of their local health department for COVID vaccine and testing information.