LINCOLN – A series of topics were addressed to open the week during a Monday morning press briefing.
From the Governor’s Hearing Room in the Nebraska State Capital, Pete Ricketts first began with a vaccine update stating over 750,000 individuals have received at least one dose of the vaccine and over a million vaccines have been delivered since December in the state.
“Nebraska ranks fifth-best in the nation with vaccinating vulnerable populations,” said Ricketts. “We’re 11th-best in doses for 65 people or older we’re 16th-best in the 18 years and older category and we rank about 21st as far as the fully vaccinated; about 20% of our population being fully vaccinated.”
Visit vaccinate.ne.gov to get signed up for the Coronavirus vaccine.
Monday morning topics included the Coronavirus vaccine as well as initiatives to support military spouses and veterans.
In the coming days, DHHS officials will issue updated Directed Health Measures statewide. The new DHMs will reflect CDC guidance about quarantining.
Unvaccinated individuals with a positive antibody test within the three months before an exposure to COVID-19 or immediately following exposure to COVID-19 do not need to quarantine. This assumes they are not in regular, close contact with someone at high risk to the virus (such as older adults or those with underlying conditions). After a close contact, individuals with a positive antibody test are expected to wear a mask in public for the appropriate timeframe instead of quarantining.
Also, more information about the Military Spouse Transition Program can be found on the Department of Administrative Services website at das.nebraska.gov/personnel/sos/military.html. Jason Jackson, Director of the Department of Administrative Services and a U.S. Navy veteran addressed the program during Monday’s press briefing.
And interested parties can contact Nicole Reiner, Chief Strategy Officer with the Department of Economic Development at nichole.reiner@nebraska.gov for more information about the Veterans’ SkillBridge Initiative. Reiner is also a retired military veteran.
Governor Pete Ricketts will next provide remarks on Friday, April 16 at 2 p.m. during a ribbon cutting and Welcome Ceremony for the 55th Wing (Offutt Air Force Base) at the National Guard Base in Lincoln (4521 NW 34th Street).
Also, Rodeo Week will be celebrated next Monday, April 19 at 10 a.m. from the Governor’s Residence with the next press briefing on Wednesday, April 21 at 10 a.m.
Complete press briefing (minus Q&A):