Local positive cases of COVID-19 have remained steady at 17 this week despite a large group being tested by the National Guard. On Tuesday the guard tested 101 individuals and while not all of those tests are back yet, according to Brandi Lemon, Outreach Director at WCDHD, there have been no new positive cases.
“More tests came in late last night so we’re still evaluating those, but as of yesterday we had the majority of the tests and those at that time were negative. Again, we’re just reviewing, I don’t know the results of the current ones,” Lemon said.
In addition to the 101 test at the mobile site Tuesday, Lemon also said the guard used strike team visits on Wednesday, where guard members would visit residents that couldn’t come to the mobile site. She said they visited six or seven individuals to be tested. While the state of Nebraska has more than 1,000 tests as of Friday, Lemon said Lincoln County has done a great job of limiting exposure.
“Kudos out to those who are practicing that social distancing and staying at home when they can and minimizing going out in big large settings,” Lemon said. She referenced Governor Pete Rickett’s Six Rules to Keep Nebraska Healthy:
- Stay home. No non-essential errands and no social gatherings. Respect the ten-person limit.
- Socially distance your work. Work from home or use the six-foot rule as much as possible in the workplace.
- Shop alone and only shop once a week. Do not take family with you.
- Help kids follow social distancing. Play at home. No group sports. And no playgrounds.
- Help seniors stay at home by shopping for them. Do not visit long-term care facilities.
- Exercise daily at home or with an appropriately socially-distanced activity
Lemon and the staff at WCDHD are airing a live Zoom conference with other local health and safety officials on weekdays at 4:30. You can find the link to that here. During those conferences, people can ask questions in the comment box regarding anything with COVID-19.
You can hear our entire interview with Lemon below.
