Lancaster County’s COVID-19 risk dial rises

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Lancaster County’s COVID-19 risk dial increased to elevated yellow on Tuesday, after a rise in cases and hospitalizations.

The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department said 533 COVID-19 cases were reported last week, up from 417 the week before.

On Tuesday, the seven-day rolling average of hospitalizations was 29.3, up from 21.7 on June 1.

“Cases continued to rise across most age groups and COVID-19 hospitalizations also increased over the previous week,” Health Director Pat Lopez said in a press release. “Staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccines, which includes getting booster doses when eligible, helps protect you from severe illness and being hospitalized.”

The rate of positive tests decreased from 16.1% to 14.4% last week.

The risk dial spent three weeks in mid-yellow. Yellow indicates a moderate risk of the virus spreading in the community.