Throughout June, Seward County accounted for no more than one confirmed case of coronavirus in a day. According to Four Corners Health Department records, four confirmed cases in a day were the most the county accounted for until July 28. That was four months after Nebraska had its first case of COVID-19.
In the two-day stretch of Nov. 19-20, 38 Seward County residents tested positive for coronavirus. That's brought the county's total to 1,143.
From Sept. 21 through Nov. 18 the county has accounted for 881 cases. That's 77% of the county's cases happening in 25% of the time elapsed since the pandemic's beginning.
Becky Tyser has cared for patients for 24 years as a registered nurse at Seward Family Medical Center. She's shaken by the community's recent response to the virus.
“It is real, it's here and it is changing everything,” she said. “It's changing the community and it's changing the atmosphere we work in each day. COVID-19 is all-encompassing and doesn't leave a whole lot of time for other aspects of preventative care in the clinic.
“I cannot even count how many of my patients have told me 'I didn't think this was real' or 'I didn't think this would happen to me' when they are called with their test results and monitored and cared for through their illness.”
Four Corners Health Department confirmed in a Nov. 20 release five Seward County residents died of COVID-related illness. That brings the county's total to eight deaths. More remain hospitalized.
For the second consecutive week the district's risk dial remained at 3.25, staying in the “severe” (red) portion of the dial.
Tyser said she's concerned about Thanksgiving and the potential for large family gatherings.
“The choices you make affect not just you. They affect your family, your friends, your community and me and my coworkers and healthcare workers across the state,” she said. “Sacrificing one holiday together could mean many more holidays for you and your loved ones for years to come. Social distancing is temporary. The impact you can make by choosing to social distance and watch your hands is permanent.”
She urged community members to wash their hands, wear face coverings and avoid contact with people outside of their immediate household.
