COVID-19 surge moves Cedar County to another notch on the risk dial
WAYNE — The Northeast Neb. Public Health Department COVID-19 risk dial tipped into the orange in Cedar County last week for the first time since the health barometer was created.
The Orange portion of the COVID Risk Dial means there is an elevated COVID-19 Spread Risk in the area. Cedar County had previously been in the yellow, or Moderate Risk portion of the dial.
Cedar County now has 38 positive cases of coronavirus, up 20 from two weeks ago.
Despite the recent surge, Cedar County still has the fewest number of cases in the four-county Northeast Nebraska Public Health Department District.
Thurston County has the most cases in the District with 230. Dixon County is next with 67, while Wayne County has recorded 45 cases.
Since the pandemic began in March, the local Health District has found the majority of its positive cases are from people in the 20-39 year-old age range.
The Orange portion of the COVID Risk Dial means there is an elevated COVID-19 Spread Risk in the area.
Health Dept. officials use the following factors to determine the current condition:
• There are increasing or constant high numbers of confirmed COVID positive cases OR percent positive cases due to community or regional spread
• There is an increase in Flu-like OR COVID-like cases in NNPHD Health District or in the region
• Several cases from the same contact are present in the community and it is likely there will be more
• There is only enough testing available for people who have symptoms
• Investigation and contact tracing for new cases in the NNPHD Health District cannot be completed within 24 hours of report of positive test and NNPHD can no longer follow up with everyone on quarantine or isolation
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) supplies are limited for health care workers
• There are shortages of critical medical supplies needed to treat COVID-19.
The determining factors used to determine if there is a Moderate Risk in the area are:
• There is a downward movement in numbers of confirmed COVID-19 positive cases OR percent positive cases due to community or regional spread
• There is a downward movement in levels of Flu-Like Symptoms OR COVID-like cases in NNPHD Health District or in the region
• There is limited community spread within NNPHD Health District or in the region
• COVID-19 has a small impact on the local and regional healthcare system ability to provide services
• There are enough Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) supplies for health care workers and community needs
• COVID testing is available for all suspected cases and for testing of those who do not have symptoms but need testing
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