WAYNE – After staying neutral the past couple weeks, the Northeast Nebraska Public Health Department COVID-19 risk dial saw a slight increase recently.
According to a release from NNPHD, the risk dial has been in the high category since August 19. The four colors of green (low), yellow (moderate), orange (high*) and red (severe) are represented on the risk dial.
*As of Thursday, October 15 there have been 977 total positive cases for individuals living in the health district of Cedar County (159), Dixon County (160), Thurston County (349) and Wayne County (309). The number of recoveries rose to 548 while there have been six deaths related to COVID-19 in the health district.
As of Wednesday, October 14 there have been 947 total positive cases for individuals living in the health district of Cedar County (156), Dixon County (152), Thurston County (343) and Wayne County (296). The number of recoveries rose to 526 while there have been six deaths related to COVID-19 in the health district.
For the period of Monday, October 5 through Sunday, October 11 Wayne County has seen 48 positives; 24 in Cedar County, 16 in Dixon County and 12 in Thurston County.
As of last Friday, there were 10 individuals currently hospitalized of the 48 who were in the hospital.
A recent post on the Northeast Nebraska Public Health Department Facebook page highlighted how to handle Halloween during the COVID-19 pandemic from the CDC.
Recommendations include to not use a costume mask as a substitute for a cloth mask and don’t wear a costume mask over a cloth mask if you have respiratory problems (instead consider using only a cloth mask with a Halloween theme).
Events classified into risk categories:
- Activity of Greater Risk is going door to door.
- Moderate Risk Activities is visiting plots of pumpkins or orchards where people use disinfectant hand sanitizer, require cloth masks and keep distance social.
- Lesser Risk Activities is carving pumpkins with members of your home / exhibit for neighbors or friends to see.
Visit nnphd.org or call 402-375-2200 for more information.