COVID-19 Risk Dial moves up to elevated-orange
Elevated-orange indicates a high impact and spread of COVID-19 in the community.
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Director Pat Lopez announced the COVID-19 Risk Dial will move up to elevated-orange.
The elevated-orange category indicates a high impact and spread of COVID-19 in the community. LLCHD reported four COVID-19 deaths on Tuesday, bringing the total to six deaths so far in December.
LLCHD reported 264 new COVID-19 cases last Friday, the highest recorded in 2021.
Lopez believes the increase in COVID-19 cases is due to the aftermath of Thanksgiving gatherings.
Lopez says the COVID-19 positivity rate is currently at 14.7%. LLCHD has not identified the Omicron variant locally, as Delta remains the dominant variant.
During the press conference, Lopez urged Lancaster County residents to get their vaccines and booster shots.
President and CEO of Bryan Health, Russ Gronewold, also spoke at the press conference. Gronewold says about 80% of COVID-19 patients at Bryan hospitals are unvaccinated.
Gronewold says Bryan Health has had to turn away COVID-19 and other critical care patients due to hospital capacity.
The current (DHM) is in effect until December 23.
The local COVID-19 Risk Dial is increasing from mid-orange to elevated orange. This means that there is high risk of COVID-19 spread and impact in our community. @LNKhealth urges residents age 5 and older to get vaccinated or boosted immediately. #LNK
— City of Lincoln, Nebraska (@CityOfLincoln) December 7, 2021
