The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department (LLCHD) announced Wednesday that the COVID-19 Risk Dial will move to mid-yellow after being in elevated yellow for six weeks. On the risk dial, yellow indicates a moderate risk of the virus spreading in the community.
The decision to move the dial is based on numerous factors. Cases decreased again over the last week ending Jan. 14, from 2018 to 176. The seven-day rolling average of hospitalizations decreased, as well. From 42 last week to 40 Wednesday. Wastewater surveillance continued to show a decrease in the number of virus particles compared to the previous week.
One death was reported last week to increase total deaths to 472. A man in his 60s who was hospitalized and up to date on vaccinations, which includes the primary series and the most recent booster doses. Despite the deaths, experts say the updated boosters bivalent boosters do offer some protection against the XBB.1.5 variant, particularly from severe illness. LLCHD strongly recommends that residents receive the bivalent booster if they have not done so yet.