4 county health district has 221 COVID-19 cases this week

On Monday, South Heartland District Health Department (SHDHD) officials reported the total number of cases in the four-county health district as 221, including 203 in Adams County, 13 in Clay County, 5 in Webster County, and zero in Nuckolls County.

Michele Beaver, SHDHD executive director, said five new lab-confirmed cases were added. The new cases in Clay County included a male in his 30s and a female in her 30s. Adams County had three new cases: one feamale in her 30s, a male in his 50s and a male in his 60s.

Residents who are ill or have any symptoms consistent with coronavirus disease should stay home from work and isolate at home to avoid spreading the illness to others.

Michele Bever, health director, reminds residents that they may have mild or no symptoms at all, but the virus can spread easily through close person to person contact. “It is gatherings and close contact at work or other settings which often result in new cases of COVID-19,” she said.

Bever encourages South Heartland residents to protect older adults and other individuals at higher risk. “Please continue practicing social distancing, including keeping 6 feet between people, and staying home when we are sick. Please continue practicing prevention, including wearing masks, washing your hands, keeping your hands away from your face, and disinfecting frequently-touched surfaces.”

Gov. Ricketts reminded Nebraskans the 10-person rule for gatherings remains in effect through the month of May and encouraged residents to only celebrate and gather with their households.

The revised directed health measures (DHM) issued by the governor and Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (NDHHS) for South Heartland District’s four counties was effective at 12 a.m. on May 4, and continue until May 31. All restrictions from the previous DHMs will continue through May 31, except for elective surgeries and religious services (to include wedding and funerals). NDHHS developed COVID-19 guidelines for the Conduct of Faith-Based Services, which can be found on the South Heartland website: https://southheartlandhealth.org/public-health-data/corona-virus.html.