Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird and the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department (LLCHD) announced that three lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Lincoln were reported today, bringing the community’s total to 12.
Of the three new cases today, one is travel-related, one is a close contact of a person with COVID-19, and the third is still under investigation.
- The travel-related case is a man in his 60s who returned from Spain on March 24. He followed the recommendations and self-quarantined at home. He developed symptoms on March 26 and has remained self-isolated.
- The second is a woman in her 40s who is in the same household as a person who contracted the virus through travel. She also followed the recommendations and has been self-quarantined.
- The third case is a man in his 60s, and still under investigation.
Lancaster County reports 495 negative tests and 14 pending results from the Public Health Lab. The Health Department is monitoring 99 individuals due to travel history or exposures. Nebraska now has 246 confirmed COVID-19 cases and five deaths.
Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. Those who experience these symptoms should self-quarantine and call their health care providers for recommended follow up before visiting. If you need help accessing care, contact the Health Department at 402-441-8006. Do not go to the emergency room unless it is essential.
Those prioritized for testing remain healthcare workers; public safety personnel; residents and employees of nursing homes and group homes; those attending or working at daycares; and people over 60 or those with underlying health conditions.
Those who have no symptoms do not need to contact a health provider to be tested. Do not go to urgent care, the emergency room, or a doctor’s office to get a COVID-19 test. Those test kits and medical personnel must be reserved for individuals in the prioritized categories.
The latest information on local coronavirus response is available at COVID19.lincoln.ne.gov and health.lincoln.ne.gov. LLCHD has established a hotline at 402-441-8006 for questions on COVID-19.