Lab-confirmed cases reported today: 11
Total number of cases: 31,225
Deaths reported today: one, a woman in her 70s who was hospitalized
Total number of deaths: 234
Variant cases: The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department (LLCHD) has confirmed its first case of a COVID-19 variant strain called B.1.617 that was first identified in India. The variant was detected through special testing at the Nebraska Public Health Lab. Information obtained early in the investigation shows the case was linked to international travelers.
LLCHD is working closely with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) as it continues the investigation. Variants can spread more easily and quickly, and they can lead to more cases of COVID-19. LLCHD continues to urge people to get vaccinated if they haven’t already. Vaccination provides protection against the virus, prevents illness, and helps control the transmission of COVID-19 and its variants in our community.
International travelers should seek testing within three to five days after returning to Nebraska.
A total of 106 COVID-19 cases of variants have been identified in Lancaster County.
Recoveries: 28,525
Weekly positivity rate:
- May 2 through 8: 4.6 percent
- May 9 through 15: 2.9 percent
Hospitalizations for COVID-19 positive patients: 31 with 15 from Lancaster County (none on ventilators) and 16 from other communities (two on ventilators).
Risk Dial: low-yellow, moderate risk of COVID-19 spread and impact in the community
Vaccinations administered:
- Initiated vaccinations (first doses): 165,208
- Completed vaccinations (second doses and J&J vaccine): 136,257
This week’s public clinics (subject to change):
- Tuesday, May 11, Gateway Mall – first-dose drive-through clinic north of garages of the former Sears store
- Wednesday, May 12, City Impact, 1035 N. 33rd St. – first doses; and Gateway Mall – second dose drive-through clinic north of the garages of the former Sears store
- Friday, May 14, Pinnacle Bank Arena – first and second doses
- Saturday, May 15, Pinnacle Bank Arena – first and second doses; and Gateway Mall – second-dose drive-through clinic north of the garages of the former Sears store
- Sunday, May 16, Cristo Rey Church, 4221 “J” Street – first and second doses
Next week’s public clinics (subject to change):
- Monday, May 17, Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department, 31st and “O” streets – first and second doses
- Tuesday, May 18, “F” Street Community Center, 1225 “F” Street – first and second doses; and Gateway Mall – first-dose drive-through clinic north of the garages of the former Sears store
- Wednesday, May 19, Gateway Mall – second-dose drive-through clinic north of the garages of the former Sears store
- Thursday, May 20, Pinnacle Bank Arena – first and second doses
- Friday, May 21, Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department – first and second doses
- Saturday, May 22, Gateway Mall – second dose drive-through clinic north of the garages of the former Sears store
Registration: Residents age 12 and older are now eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccine, and appointments are available for this week. Residents can complete the quick and simple registration process and then schedule an appointment to get vaccinated at COVID19.lincoln.ne.gov. Residents who are already in the registration system will be contacted to schedule an appointment.
Those who do not have online access or who need assistance with registration or scheduling may call LLCHD’s COVID-19 hotline at 402-441-8006 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.
Testing: The process begins with a free online risk assessment available at BryanHealth.com, CHIHealth.com or TestNebraska.com.
Drive-through testing is available from:
- CHI Health St. Elizabeth: Autumn Ridge Family Medicine, 5000 North 26th St. and Southwest Family Health, 1240 Aries Drive. Call either site to schedule an appointment: Autumn Ridge, 402-435-5300 and South West Family, 402-420-1300.
- Test Nebraska: Gateway Mall, 6100 “O” St., north parking lot of the former Sears store. Tests are conducted from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information, call 402-207-9377
Testing is also available without an appointment at the three Bryan Urgent Care locations, 7501 S. 27th St., 5901 N. 27th St. and 4333 S. 86th St. To check wait times, call 402-481-6343.
For more information, visit COVID19.lincoln.ne.gov or call the Health Department hotline at 402-441-8006.
Source: Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department News Release