While positive COVID-19 cases are slowly declining, West Nile virus is on Four Corner's radar.
Laura McDougall, executive director of Four Corners Health Department, said there have been 115 positive COVID cases in the past seven days which is down from the previously recorded 200 cases.
During the community sector briefing on Sept. 30, McDougall noted how she is able to report county data. McDougall reported there have been 26 cases in Seward County over the past seven days.
In Seward County, there have also been two COVID-19 related deaths since mid-September, both of which were from Seward County.
“One was a man in his 60's and a woman in her 50's,” McDougall said.
Overall, there have been 87 COVID-19 related deaths within the Four Corners district.
McDougall said cases are once again trending toward older people, and said there are high percentages of cases in older age ranges.
McDougall also said the FDA has approved Pfizer booster shots, but booster shots for Moderna are still pending.
As for the strain of COVID cases seen in the district, McDougall said six to eight of last weeks cases were the Delta variant.
Roger Reamer, chief executive officer at Memorial Health Care Systems in Seward, said while there has been a slowdown in positive COVID cases, there has not been a decline in hospitalizations in Nebraska.
“One of the concerns of the state is how sick people are than the last population that came through,” Reamer said.
Due to the influx in cases, Reamer said the hospital was managing individuals they would normally transfer for COVID, but haven't had to do so since the week of the briefing.
Aside from COVID-19 cases, McDougall said there have been three West Nile Virus cases within the district.
“All three were very sick,” McDougall said.
She advised people to take preventative mosquito bite measures to avoid coming in contact with the virus.
Roger Reamer, chief executive officer at Memorial Health Care Systems, said while there has been a slow in positive cases, there has not been a decline in hospitalizations in Nebraska.
“One of the concerns of the state is how sick people are than the last population that came through,” Reamer said.
Due tot he influx in cases, Reamer said the hospital was managing individuals they would normally transfer for COVID, but haven't had to do so since the week of the briefing.
Aside from COVID-19 Cases, McDougall said there have been three West Nile Virus cases within the district.
“All three were very sick,” she said.
