OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — As coronavirus cases come in throughout our area on Sunday, KMTV will update this story with the latest details. Check back often for updates. The latest updates will be posted at the top. You can find our full coronavirus coverage here.
DOUGLAS COUNTY
The Douglas County Health Department announced 41 additional cases of COVID-19 on Sunday, bringing the total in the county to 440.
The new cases involve 16 males and 23 females with two more cases to be identified during interviews, according to the health department.
Those individuals range in age from 1 to 73.
Two cases were community-acquired, 10 had contact with a previous case and the others remain under investigation.
As of Saturday night, area hospitals reported 549 medical surge beds were available with 48 patients hospitalized with COVID-19.
Of the 348 ventilators available in local hospitals, 95 were in use, including 17 for COVID-19 patients.
The health department says 67 people have recovered from COVID-19 in Douglas County. Fourteen people have died.
Additionally, the health department continues to stress the importance of social distancing and wearing masks in public.
“Everyone has a role to play if we are to stop the spread of this disease,” Health Director Dr. Adi Pour said. “We are also encouraging everyone to wear a mask when you go out in public. Every bit you can do helps.”
NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES
Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) director Scott R. Frakes announced Sunday that a Diagnostic and Evaluation Center employee has tested positive for COVID-19.
The individual has been isolated at home for five days, according to NDCS.
“The individual in this case has indicated no close contact with any other staff members or inmates,” said Dir. Frakes. “Notification will be provided to the facility and we will take additional precautions to monitor the temperatures of those individuals in the housing unit where the employee worked.”
Anyone entering any NDCS building must undergo a temperature check, wear a mask and answer a series of screening questions.
“Masks have also been issued to all inmates,” noted Dir. Frakes. “In conjunction with universal health precautions, wearing a mask is the best preventative measure that can be utilized to prevent the spread of this illness.”
This case marks the second positive case in a NDCS staff member.
No inmates have tested positive, said NDCS.
“We have been fortunate, but we have also worked very hard to flatten the curve within our system. From the onset, we have asked staff members to self-assess their symptoms, report any illness and take all precautions possible to prevent the transmission of germs," said Dir. Frakes. “Control of this disease is very much in the hands of the people who live and work in our facilities. We need people to continue to be diligent about disinfecting, washing their hands and wearing personal protective equipment, like masks. These are simple things, but when it comes to this virus, they are proving to be the best protection we have.”
LANCASTER COUNTY
Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird and the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department (LLCHD) announced six COVID-19 cases Sunday, bringing the community total to 126.
The new cases include three women and three men ranging in age from their 40s to their 60s.
The cases are being investigated.
POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
Pottawattamie County Public Health (PCPH) reported four additional COVID-19 cases on Sunday, bringing the total cases in the county to 29.
All four of the new cases reside in Council Bluffs and include two males and two females ranging in age from 18 to 80 years old.
PCPH said two of the individuals have pre-existing health conditions.
One person had contact with an existing COVID-19 case and three were the result of community spread.
These individuals were tested between April 23 and 24, according to PCPH, and all are self-isolating.
According to PCPH, 17 individuals have recovered, 11 are self-isolating, none are hospitalized and one person has died from COVID-19 in the county.
IOWA
The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced 384 additional COVID-19 cases on Sunday and 6 more deaths.
According to the health department, the additional deaths were reported out of the following counties:
- Black Hawk County, 1 middle-age adult (41-60 years)
- Clinton County, 1 elderly adult (81+)
- Des Moines County, 1 older adult (61-80 years)
- Johnson County, 1 adult (18-40 years), 1 elderly adult (81+)
- Linn County, 1 elderly adult (81+)
Iowa's total cases now stands at 5,476 with 118 deaths.
There have been 1,356 additional negative tests and a total of 30,614 negative tests to date.
IDPH said 286 people in Iowa are currently hospitalized with COVID-19 and 1,900 Iowans have recovered.
Additionally, the health department reports that 1 in 87 Iowans have already been tested for coronavirus.
The number of positive cases is expected to grow as Test Iowa sites open and more surveillance testing of large businesses and nursing home staff continues.