LLCHD sees decrease in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations remain high

Yesterday, LLCHD reported 147 COVID-19 patients in the county, the highest since the beginning of the pandemic. 

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department announced the COVID-19 Risk Dial will remain in the red category for the fifth consecutive week due to hospitalizations remaining high.

Health Director Pat Lopez says that despite case numbers being down, hospitalizations remain high in Lancaster County.

Yesterday, LLCHD reported 147 COVID-19 patients, 113 from Lancaster County, the highest since the beginning of the pandemic.

During the press conference, Lopez says weekly cases decreased by almost 40%, indicating a peak in the county. The weekly case number dropped from 4,963 cases for the week ending on Jan. 15, to 3,042 cases for the week ending on Jan. 29.

The positivity rate in the county dropped from 30.7 percent to 25 percent, a trend in the right direction but still high.

Lopez says they remain cautious about the local situation and hope that numbers will continue in a downward trend.

LLCHD has recently seen an increase in COVID-19 related deaths. LLCHD reported a total of 26 deaths in December and 37 in January.

“The risk of infection is still very high and we will continue to see the consequences of so many cases in such a short period of time, primarily in additional hospitalizations and deaths. We need to continue our current efforts to help preserve access to our hospitals and health care, keep schools open, and reduce disruptions in business services,” said Lopez.