LINCOLN – Over the weekend, governor Pete Ricketts declared a Directed Health Measure for a few northeast Nebraska counties and recently included several panhandle counties.
According to a release from the office of governor Ricketts on Monday, Banner, Box Butte, Cheyenne, Dawes, Deuel, Garden, Grant, Kimball, Morrill, Scotts Bluff, Sheridan and Sioux counties were listed as the fifth DHM and is in effect until May 11 unless renewed.
Burt, Cuming, Madison and Stanton counties were a part of the fourth DHM and will be in effect until May 6 unless renewed.
Dodge, Lancaster, Saunders and Washington counties were among the second DHM issued on March 25 and is in effect until at least May 6 while Cass, Douglas and Sarpy counties were the original Directed Health Measure on March 18 and is in effect until at least April 30.
The DHM imposes an enforceable limit on public gatherings. Among other steps, the DHM requires restaurants and bars in these areas to close their dining areas immediately, it not doing so voluntarily, and move to takeout service, delivery and/or curbside service only until further notice.
The DHM and quarantine directions covering all of these counties can be found by clicking here.
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, a third death related to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was reported as of Monday evening. The state case total is 155 as of the evening Monday, March 30.
Recent data shows that the virus is also affecting younger people. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report said 20% of those hospitalized for COVID-19 in the U.S. were 20-44 years old.