The Superior Express -

With the number of COVID-19 cases continuing to climb and because of high community transmission of COVID-19, the South Heartland District Health Department which serves Nuckolls, Clay, Webster and Adams counties remains in a COVID-19 Advisory area.

With increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases statewide, the State of Nebraska has reopened its COVID-19 dashboard to provide updates on the number of reported COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths. Brodstone Memorial Hospital continues to see an increase in the need for COVID-19 testing with a current positivity rate of nearly 20 percent. There are currently 26 active COVID-19 cases in Nuckolls County.

Nuckolls County currently has a vaccination rate of 51 percent and the State of Nebraska has a vaccination rate of 66 percent for those ages 12 and older.

A spokesman for Brodstone said COVID-19 vaccine is the most effective tool available to slow the spread of the virus. Brodstone continues to have vaccine available to administer to those ages 12 and older. If you would like to schedule your COVID-19 vaccination at the hospital, call the Brodstone COVID hotline at 402-207-1083 and leave a message. A member of the Brodstone team will call you back to schedule your appointment.

The hospital isn’t the only source of the vaccine. Other alternatives are available.

“We are currently seeing those who are hospitalized are much younger and much sicker than the previous wave of COVID-19 patients. Our staff continues to feel the constant strain from the increasing COVID-19 numbers. We continue to strongly urge everyone to do their part by getting vaccinated as it is an important defense against the Delta variant that has hospitalized so many. Please reach out to your healthcare provider to see if the vaccine is the right choice for you. As always, Brodstone will continue to be here to provide the best care possible to our patients and the communities we serve.” said Treg Vyzourek, the hospital’s chief executive officer.

For the safety of the staff and patients within the facility, Brodstone continues to have COVID-19 policies and procedures in place. The current visitor policy limits each patient to two visitors. Patients and visitors will continue to be screened upon entry and will be required to wear a mask while in the facility.

Brodstone will continue to communicate information on COVID-19 as it becomes available. For additional COVID-19 information visit: www. brodstonehospital.org/covid-19