LLCHD reports another COVID-19 death - 1011now

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) - Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird and health officials updated the community on the City's efforts to prevent the spread of the coronavirus at a briefing on Tuesday.

"Since early last year, we've been running race against the novel coronavirus. Our major goals have been to prevent more illness, death and disruption and to prevent our hospitals from being overburdened. In the earliest days all we had were common sense measures; masks, handwashing, social distancing. These non-pharmaceutical interventions alone were not enough to keep us in the lead.

What we were hoping was a sprint, became a marathon, and it's one that we're still running. The development of safe and effect vaccines gave us a second wind, and a real shot at winning the race. And with the support of so many people in our community, we took the lead. But just as the finish line was in sight, more hurdles were put in our way. The Delta variant, which is more likely to land people in the hospital. Misinformation, which created vaccine hesitancy in too many of our community members. And the mistaken notion that we already reached the finish line, that the pandemic is somehow past us.

Our pace has slowed, and the virus is once again challenging our resources, and it's natural to be exhausted at this point, but we can't afford to quit the race now. There is too much at stake. To beat the virus and reach the finish line, we need to find the strength to keep going. And that strength comes from our support team, the members of our community."

The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department reported eleven people have died from COVID-19 in September. Eight were unvaccinated. They also said that one of those deaths, reported on Tuesday, was a person in their 20′s.

The LLCHD COVID-19 Risk Dial remains at high-risk (Orange).

LLCHD Health Director Pat Lopez once again encouraged individuals to get the COVID-19 vaccine. According to Lopez, Lancaster County leads Nebraska with the highest vaccination rate, with 73% of eligible individuals 16 years or older being fully vaccinated.

When including individuals younger than 16, this percentage is around 59%. Around 16% of the population remains unvaccinated due to being too young, and around 21% remain unvaccinated due to choice or circumstance.

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