Central District Health Dept

Grand Island, NE – COVID-19 Numbers on the Rise in Central District

July 25, 2024

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Currently, Central District Infection Prevention Specialists are working with 7 out of 27 Long Term Care facilities experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak. This means that each facility has reported one or more residents who have tested positive for COVID. Those living in long term care facilities and group homes are at higher risk for COVID infections and the spread to others due to close living arrangements. Older individuals are also at greater risk for serious complications due to a lesser ability to fight infections.

“We have been watching our COVID-19 wastewater reports increase week over week all of July,” explains Teresa Anderson, CDHD Health Director, adding “Our wastewater levels for COVID are higher than most of the state right now.” CDHD receives weekly reports of COVID-19 viral content in Grand Island’s city wastewater and posts results on its website. Many areas of the country are experiencing consistent increases in COVID-19 activity. COVID-19 test positivity, emergency department visits, and rates of COVID-19–associated hospitalizations are increasing, particularly among adults 65+. CDC will continue to closely monitor trends in COVID-19 activity.

CDHD recommends that all people use core prevention strategies to protect themselves and others from COVID-19:

• Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.
• Practice good hygiene (practices that improve cleanliness)
• Take steps for cleaner air

When you are sick:

• Use precautions to prevent spread, including staying home and away from others (including people you live with who are not sick) if you have respiratory symptoms.
• Seek health care promptly for testing and/or treatment if you have risk factors for severe illness. Treatment may help lower your risk of severe illness, but it needs to be started within a few days of when your symptoms begin.