PHS reports 112 new cases, risk dial jumps to elevated risk
Health officials say the volume of southeast Nebraska residents testing positive for COVID-19 is at its highest point since the spring.
By News Channel NebraskaCRETE, NE — Health officials say the volume of southeast Nebraska residents testing positive for COVID-19 is at its highest point since the spring.
Public Health Solutions covers Gage, Saline, Jefferson, Fillmore and Thayer counties. The health department reported that 112 residents tested positive for the virus over the last week. That’s 25 more than the previous week. It’s the highest weekly total since 210 cases were reported in the first eight days of May.
PHS reported a 14.8 percent positivity rate, which is higher than the pandemic average of 10.4 percent.
Health officials say they identified several small and medium-sized cluster outbreaks. They say 11 area residents are hospitalized with COVID-19.
The district risk dial is now in the elevated risk category. It is at the most severe point since the dial debuted. PHS now has county-level risk dials and each county except Thayer is in the elevated category.
Gage County: 56 new cases
Saline County: 32 new cases
Jefferson County: 11 new cases
Fillmore County: 8 new cases
Thayer County: 5 new cases