Gov. Ricketts relaxes COVID health measures
Nebraska’s spike in coronavirus cases and resulting hospitalizations has started to back off, resulting in the governor relaxing some directed health measures.
As Saturday, Gov. Pete Ricketts put into effect less restrictive measures affecting attendance at school and club activities.
When the risk dial was raised to orange, Ricketts limited fan attendance to household members only.
Many schools put on their own restrictions that were even more restrictive than the governor’s health measures.
With the risk dial falling to yellow, based on reduced hospitalizations, the governor is no longer limiting attendance to direct household members.
The maximum capacity of a venue for inside activities and gatherings was raised from 25% to 50%.
Parties at restaurants and bars remain limited to groups of eight or less. Individuals must still be seated unless ordering food, using the restroom, or playing games.
Six feet of separation between groups returns to a guidance.
NSAA stays in orange
The Nebraska School Activities Association has opted to stay with the stricter orange risk protocols with one exception.
Schools can now allow grandparents to attend events, if the school chooses to do so.
NSAA Executive Director Jay Bellar said their goal is to keep kids in school and participating in activities.
They are also requiring six-foot separation between households.
Spectators, coaches, and non-active participants are required to wear face coverings at all times while attending these events.
With the holiday season approaching, Bellar said that by doing these things now, “We are hopeful we can host NSAA winter championships in February and March.”
The NSAA restrictions remain in effect until Jan. 4, 2021.
State gets Covid vaccine
The first doses of the much anticipated COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Nebraska Monday. The state expects to receive 15,600.
The Department of Health and Human Services is working with local health districts, federally qualified health centers and hospital systems to ensure an expeditious delivery process.
Perkins County Health Services CEO Neil Hilton said they expect to get doses of the vaccine but the exact time line was uncertain as of Monday afternoon.
Hilton said initial doses of the vaccine will go to the frontline healthcare workers in their system.
He said they will plan accordingly as soon as they know the exact date of delivery and the number of doses.
Hilton said the number of COVID patients in the hospital has ranged from one to four at any one time.
Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department moved the ir COVID-19 community risk dial from red to orange.
Area case totals for the week include: Perkins—18; Chase—11; Keith—41; Dundy—11; Hayes—4; Red Willow—96.