When it comes to COVID-19, the South Heartland Health District has encouraging news to report this week.

With three COVID-19 vaccines widely available in Nebraska, the department can foresee the day when other issues capture a greater share of the public attention.

For the four days ending Monday, there were nine new lab-confirmed cases in the district. The cases were eight in Adams County and one in Clay County. The new cases brought the total 3,003 in Adams, 751 in Clay, 505 in Nuckolls and 347 cases in Webster.

Overall positivity decreased from 5 percent the week before to 2.9 percent. Community testing is down to 7.3 percent from last week’s 11.6 percent. The goal is to reach a positivity of 5 percent or less and stay there.

In Nuckolls County, vaccines are now available at Superior Pharmacy and Superior Family Medical Center.