Lincoln Man is First Local Death From COVID-19

Published on April 08, 2020

City of Lincoln
Mayor's Office

2020 Media Releases


Media Contact:
Patricia Lopez, RN, MSN, Interim Health Director, 402-441-8093
Tim Timmons, RN, Communicable Disease Supervisor, 402-441-8056

Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird and the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department (LLCHD) announced today that the resident who died from COVID-19 in Lincoln today was a man in his 50s who was hospitalized. His case was community acquired.

Five new lab-confirmed cases were reported in Lincoln today, bringing the City total to 39. The cases were three women in their 40s, 50s and 60s and two men in their 40s and 50s. All five cases were community acquired. Of the 39 total cases, 18 are community spread, 19 are travel related, and two acquired COVID-19 from someone in their household.

LLCHD is now monitoring 110 individuals. Lancaster County reports 1,196 negative tests and 39 positives with 16 tests pending at the Nebraska Public Health Lab. There are now 521 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Nebraska and 13 deaths.

Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. Those who experience these symptoms should self-quarantine and call their health care providers for recommended follow up before visiting. If you need help accessing care, contact the Health Department at 402-441-8006. Do not go to the emergency room unless it is essential.

Those prioritized for testing remain healthcare workers; public safety personnel; residents and employees of nursing homes and group homes; those attending or working at daycares; and people over 60 or those with underlying health conditions.

Those who have no symptoms do not need to contact a health provider to be tested. Do not go to urgent care, the emergency room, or a doctor's office to get a COVID-19 test. Those test kits and medical personnel must be reserved for individuals in the prioritized categories.

The latest information on local coronavirus response is available at COVID19.lincoln.ne.gov and health.lincoln.ne.gov. LLCHD has established a hotline at 402-441-8006 for questions on COVID-19.

 

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