Ricketts Imposes New Restrictions As Coronavirus Surges
Lincoln — Gov. Pete Ricketts announced new restrictions last Friday aimed at curbing the coronavirus amid a surge of new cases and hospitalizations in Nebraska.
The Republican governor outlined four steps that will go into effect Wednesday:
• Hospitals must provide 10% of their bed and intensive care unit space for incoming COVID-19 patients.
• Indoor gatherings, currently allowed up to 75% percent capacity, must drop to 50% capacity.
• People at bars and restaurants must remain seated and with no more than eight to a table.
• Wedding and funeral receptions must limit table sizes to no more than eight people. Ricketts stopped short of issuing a statewide mask mandate, the Omaha World-Herald reported.
The number of coronavirus cases in Nebraska is growing at a fast pace, and the state’s rate of new infections ranks fifth highest in the nation.
The rate of new cases per 100,000 Nebraska residents over the past two weeks registered at 531.86, according to an Associated Press analysis of data from Johns Hopkins University.
Nebraska is among several Midwestern states that have seen a big increase in confirmed cases of the virus, along with more hospitalizations. The state’s COVID-19 dashboard shows 55,428 confirmed cases. The state has reported 548 deaths so far.
Ricketts said it “pains me” to impose the restrictions, but he cited a need to protect hospital capacity. He cited the example of Italy, where hospitals became overwhelmed earlier this year as coronavirus cases soared.
Meanwhile, the University of Nebraska’s athletic director remains hopeful that the Big Ten will change course and allow fans to attend conference football games in 2020.
The Lincoln Journal Star reported that Athletic Director Bill Moos said last week that he will continue to push for a limited number of fans to be allowed in Memorial Stadium this season.
Nebraska opens its season Saturday at Ohio State, and the first home game at Memorial Stadium is against Wisconsin on Oct. 31.
In the metro area last week, an outbreak of coronavirus was reportedly linked to a private homecoming party held in Gretna.
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and the Nebraska Public Health Lab collaborated with Gretna High School to offer free COVID-19 testing to 342 students
Gretna Public Schools Superintendent Rich Beran said in a statement that families should continue to follow mitigation guidelines.
“I certainly understand the want for students and parents to take part in social activities, especially those that are considered a rite of passage,” Beran said. “However, we must remain vigilant in our efforts to minimize the spread of COVID-19 in our schools and community.”
Daily Record Managing Editor Scott Stewart contributed to this report.
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