The Superior Express -

Hastings, Neb – In the health department’s weekly health update on August 30, South Heartland District Health Department (SHDHD) executive director Michele Bever reported ongoing high COVID-19 case rates in the health district and very high virus levels in the wastewater.

“The most recent wastewater surveillance report for Hastings shows the trending levels of the virus that causes COVID-19. The results from samples collected on August 16 show virus levels trending sharply upward again and classified as “Very High”, the highest we’ve seen since wastewater testing began in February,” Bever said. “The virus is continuing to circulate in the community.”

COVID-19 case rates remain at a high level. As of Tuesday, South Heartland’s case rate was 124 cases per 100,000 for the past 7 days (100 or more cases per 100K in 7 days is considered “High”). In addition, 4 patients were receiving care in South Heartland hospitals due to COVID-19 and 6 long-term care facilities reported residents (12) and/or staff (7) testing positive in the past 2 weeks.

Based on the ongoing high COVID-19 case rates, and with flu season right around the corner, Bever recommends for all residents to take care of their health by staying up to date on their COVID vaccines and getting their annual influenza (flu) shot. Bever said this is especially important for people who are at higher risk of developing serious COVID or influenza illness, such as those age 65 and older, those with chronic health conditions and those with compromised immune systems. Staying up to date on COVID vaccines means getting the primary series and getting a booster as soon as you are eligible.

The health department continues to recommend keeping COVID-19 test kits on hand. For locations offering COVID-19 vaccine or COVID-19 tests, refer to the SHDHD website, southheartlandhealth.org or call the health department office, 1-877-238-7595. For weekly state, national and global COVID-19 updates, visit the UNMC Global Center for Health Security: https://www.unmc.edu/healthsecurity/covid-19/biweekly-updates.html.

SHDHD COVID-19 dashboard update on 08.30.2022:

69 confirmed COVID-19 cases logged last week compared to 35 the week before

32 confirmed cases counted in the current week through Tuesday

Long-term Care Facilities: 12 residents and 7 staff in 6 facilities tested positive in the past 2 weeks

Hospitals: 4 patients hospitalized due to COVID as of 08.30.2022

Case rate: 124 cases per 100,000 for the past 7 days on 08.30.22 (100 or more cases per 100K in 7 days is considered High)

Community weekly positivity: 44.7% for the week ending 08/27/22 (10% is considered High)

Cumulative case total for the health district: 11,154 since March 2020

Other South Heartland District COVID-19 trends may be found on SHDHD’s COVID-19 dashboard at southheartlandhealth.org

Michele Bever, PhD, MPH | Executive Director