More Than 200 Nebraskans Have New Strains Of COVID-19

State health officials say as of last Friday 237 Nebraskans have been identified with COVID-19 variants. Felicia Quintanna-Zinn is the deputy director of public health for DHHS and says 187 cases are the UK variant. “This one is believed to be more contagious and more severe than our standard type of COVID-19.”

She says Nebraska has also reported 48 cases of the California variant and two cases of the Brazil variant. Governor Ricketts on Monday said with the number of COVID-19 variances surfacing it’s important that more Nebraskans get vaccinated.

Ricketts says 750,000 Nebraskans have now received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and 20 percent of the state’s population has now been fully vaccinated. One day last week Ricketts says the state delivered more than 30,000 vaccines, which is a record for the state.

There are 168 people hospitalized state wide with the virus and Ricketts says the current rate is stable. The state is now allowing anyone in the state 16 and older to get vaccinated. A new Directed Health Measure is now in effect for those who have completed antibody tests. Unvaccinated people who test positive for antibodies are not required to quarantine if it’s within 30 days of the completed test. However, those who experience symptoms of COVID-19 are still required to quarantine.

There are several options available for residents to register, at vaccinate.ne.gov, or with a local health district. Interested individuals can also check with area pharmacies that may be scheduling appointments.