COVID-19

IOC Doesn’t Plan to Delay, Cancel Summer Olympics

Published by Scott Stewart on Fri, 03/06/2020 - 12:00am

Tokyo – The spreading virus from China has been reported in more than 60 countries and puts the Tokyo Olympics at risk.

The summer Olympics are to open on July 24 – less than five months away. The Paralympics follow on Aug. 25.

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Americans Exposed to Virus Discuss Quarantine at UNMC

Published by Scott Stewart on Thu, 03/05/2020 - 5:00am

Four of the Americans exposed to a new virus on a Japanese cruise ship were released from quarantine in Omaha, but leaving was difficult for some of them because they’ll be separated from spouses remaining in quarantine.

The University of Nebraska Medical Center said two of the people being released never tested positive for the new coronavirus and were cleared for release last Monday.

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Ricketts: Pence Pledged to Assist States Prepare for Virus

Published by Scott Stewart on Thu, 03/05/2020 - 4:00am

Lincoln – Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts said last Monday that federal officials are urging states to seek whatever federal resources they need to prepare for the COVID-19 virus as it spreads in the United States and to focus as much as possible on prevention.

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ACLU: Government Must Consider Vulnerable Populations

Published by Scott Stewart on Thu, 03/05/2020 - 3:00am

As the United States responds to the domestic spread of the new coronavirus, the American Civil Liberties Union called on federal, state and local governments earlier this week to prioritize the needs of vulnerable communities, particularly as those people are asked to follow voluntary public health measures.

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Buiness Index Says Virus Outbreak Making Mark on Midwest Economy

Published by Scott Stewart on Thu, 03/05/2020 - 12:00am

Worries about a new virus first detected in China that’s infected tens of thousands of people globally are making a mark on the economy of a nine-state region in the Midwest and Plains.

The Mid-American Business Conditions Index sank in February to 52.8 from 57.2 in January, according to a survey report issued last Monday.

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U.S. Surgeon General Urges Caution, Not Panic, About New Virus

Published by Scott Stewart on Thu, 03/05/2020 - 12:00am

Rocky Hill, Conn. – U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams called for caution but “not panic” over the spread of the new coronavirus last Monday.

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COVID-19 Stokes Worries About Nebraska Tax Collections

Published by Scott Stewart on Wed, 03/04/2020 - 1:00am

Lincoln – Nebraska state government could see a boost to its emergency fund over the next few months, based on new estimates released last Friday, but fears of the spread of a new virus and a panicked stock market are tempering some of those expectations.

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UNMC Begins First U.S. Clinical Trial to Treat COVID-19

Published by admin on Fri, 02/28/2020 - 4:00am

The first clinical trial in the U.S. of a possible coronavirus treatment is underway at UNMC and is expected to include 400 patients at 50 locations around the world, officials said last Tuesday.

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Omaha Receives New COVID-19 Patient

Published by admin on Thu, 02/27/2020 - 12:00am

Another person who has tested positive for COVID-19 after being evacuated from a cruise ship in Japan was transferred Monday to an Omaha hospital.

The University of Nebraska Medical Center said the person had been monitored at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas but was flown to Omaha.

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Small Businesses Upbeat on Recent Employment Indicators

Published by admin on Wed, 02/26/2020 - 2:00am

Small business owners have received some upbeat news on the economy this month.

Retail sales figures showed that consumers were inspired by unseasonably warm weather to spend on their homes in January, but that overall sales growth was modest. The Commerce Department reported a 0.3% gain last month following a 0.2% gain in December.