The Delta Variant is the most seen variant in Nebraska and Lancaster County
(Lincoln Lancaster County Health Department)
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – On Thursday the COVID-19 Risk Dial moved from low-yellow to mid-yellow, according to the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department (LLCHD).
This means the risk of COVID-19 spreading and impacting the area has increased but is still moderate. Lincoln was in the low-risk zone for ten weeks before moving to low-yellow in late July.
According to Health Director Pat Lopez, the delta variant makes up more than 80 percent of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. and is the most seen variant in Nebraska and Lancaster County.
The Risk Dial’s position is based on information from the last three weeks and local indicators. The Risk Dial was moved due to:
- The weekly average of new cases increased from nine a day at the beginning of July to 48 cases by the end of July
- The number of new cases was 4.5 times higher in July than in June
- 566, or 70 percent, of all July cases, were reported in the last two weeks of the month
- The weekly average for local COVID-19 hospitalizations increased from 14 to 43 patients from the beginning to the end of July
Lopez says that according to data, those who are unvaccinated are seven times more likely to be infected with COVID-19 and end up in the hospital.
No new public restrictions will be put in place, but LLCHD has updated the public health guidance.
Everyone should still watch their health for COVID-19 symptoms, according to Lopez. Lopez also suggests that even if you are vaccinated you should get tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms.
###[ad_2]
Originally Appeared Here