As Covid-19 numbers increase significantly and hospitalizations strain health care systems, City of Norfolk officials joined with health care and business leaders to encourage area residents to do their part to help slow transmission of the virus, protect public health, and avoid further mandated shutdowns and business restrictions.
"The reality is if we don't help our health care system by slowing transmission rates, we could very well see another round of mandated shutdowns and business restrictions,” said Mayor Josh Moenning. “We should all understand how serious this moment is. Our already-strained health care workers need our help by slowing the spread of transmission. That means proactively and consistently maintaining distance, being consciously clean, and wearing a mask when around others.”
As Nebraska hospitals are filling up, Norfolk leadership reminds citizens to take proper precautions to prevent restrictions being imposed again and to release some of the stress of our healthcare partners. On Sunday, the Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department (ELVPHD) said the total case count increased by 231. The ELVPHD on Tuesday also shared that our health district is in the red in all four counties on the risk dial.
"On Wednesday, October 28th, we set a new record for 105 new cases in a single day. Exactly a week later, we set a new record of 113. We are starting to see weekly new case counts increase very rapidly, by about 140-150% of the previous week each week. We know that it takes about 6 weeks from the time new cases arrive until we see that increase reflected in the hospitals, which has us at the Health Department very worried about what the future might hold," said Tyler Woodard ELVPHD Emergency Response Coordinator.
"The current surge of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations have challenged Faith Regional and health systems across the state to revise procedures and repurpose staff to accommodate the health needs of our communities,” said Kelly Driscoll, President and CEO of Faith Regional Health Services. “Last Friday, we added an additional 14 negative pressure rooms in response to the surge, and those beds were filled within 48 hours. The fact of the matter is we are seeing a significant increase in COVID patients while still needing to continue to take care of non-COVID patients. Accidents, births, strokes, and diseases like cancer still happen during a pandemic and we implore the community to do their part within the measures they can control to help flatten the curve and slow the spread.”
Nucor Steel one of Norfolk’s major employers joined community leaders in stressing the importance of doing what we can in preventing future restrictions that will no-doubt have a negative impact on the business community.
“The Nucor divisions in Norfolk encourage everyone to do your part to slow the spread. We want to keep our businesses open, our economy going strong, and our healthcare resources available. Please do your part,” said Johanna Threm, General Manager of Nucor Steel Nebraska.