Health Director Pat Lopez said today that local data is showing the powerful and positive impact of the vaccination program, especially in older residents. She said over 75 percent of local residents age 65 and older have now been vaccinated, leading to fewer cases, hospitalizations and deaths:
- In January, the 65 and older age group made up 10 to 15 percent of the total weekly cases. In February and March, that group makes up less than 5 percent of new cases. For the week ending March 20, no new cases were reported in residents age 75 and older.
- In January, the daily average of COVID-19 patients hospitalized locally was 90. So far in March, the daily average is 28.
- The number of COVID-19 deaths has decreased from 74 in December to three so far in March.
“We have worked hard as a community to efficiently vaccinate as many members of our community as soon as possible, with an emphasis on those who are most at risk,” Lopez said. “This data shows that our efficient vaccination program is proving to be very effective in reducing new cases, hospitalizations and deaths.”
“This is vital progress that would have been difficult to imagine just over three and a half months ago when we weren’t even sure if any vaccines would be approved and available to help us in this fight,” said Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird. “Ultimately, vaccines are now our best tool to put an end to the pandemic, and our vaccination program is saving lives right here in our community.”
Lopez also announced today that the COVID-19 Risk Dial will remain in mid-yellow for a sixth consecutive week as key indicators continue to remain steady. The yellow position on the dial means that the risk of the virus spreading in the community is moderate. On the color-coded dial, red represents the highest risk of COVID-19 spread, and green represents the lowest risk. The dial is updated every Tuesday. The position of the Risk Dial is based on multiple local indicators and information from the previous three weeks.
- Over the last six weeks, the number of new weekly COVID-19 cases has varied only about 20 cases, fluctuating between 324 and 343. For the week ending March 20, 327 new cases were reported.
- The local positivity rate is now being calculated differently. The number of all positive tests is divided by the number of total tests. This method, which is used by the state, does count people who are tested multiple times. The positivity rate for March 14 through 20 was 4.4 percent.
- The daily average of COVID-19 patients hospitalized locally was 90 in January, but has now leveled off to an average of 28 for March.
For more information, visit COVID19.lincoln.ne.gov or call the Health Department hotline at 402-441-8006.