Coronavirus cases in Dakota County surged Friday in the wake of testing at a Tyson meatpacking plant as the northeast Nebraska county muscled out Douglas and Hall Counties to lead the state in confirmed cases.
Statewide, Nebraska reported 7,831 cases on Friday evening, up 641 from the day before. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services reported two additional deaths for a total of 92. The deaths involve a Saunders County man in his 70s who had underlying health problems and a Lancaster County man whose death was previously reported by local health officials.
Increasing cases in meatpacking communities continue to drive the state’s numbers.
On Friday, Dakota County reported an additional 361 cases for a total of 1,407.
Hall County, where a JBS beef plant is, reported only five new cases Friday because it is awaiting a number of test results. The county still has an outsized number of cases relative to its population. The county’s total caseload is 1,311.
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The Douglas County Health Department reported 88 new cases Friday, bringing the county’s total to 1,293. The state, which runs on a different reporting cycle, has Douglas County at 1,342 cases.
In the Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health District, where another Tyson plant is, 277 cases have been reported, up by about 100 from the start of the week. A mass testing event was conducted at the Tyson plant last weekend. It’s not known how many Tyson employees tested positive. Tyson announced Monday that it was closing the plant temporarily to deep-clean and await test results.
Madison, Burt, Cuming and Stanton Counties make up the Elkhorn Logan Valley district.
Douglas County Health Director Adi Pour said Wednesday that the health department will begin vaccinating educators next week. “We are now at a time when we can vaccinate them,” Pour said.
Douglas County reported a mix of good and bad news Friday: 197 residents have recovered from COVID-19, but increasing numbers of patients are being hospitalized and going on a ventilator. Recoveries make up 15% of cases.
Eighty-eight COVID-19 patients were hospitalized in Douglas County as of Thursday night, up more than 60% from a week ago, when the number was 52.
The Health Department reported that 26 COVID-19 patients in Douglas County hospitals were on a ventilator, a sign of the most serious cases. Until midweek, that number had consistently stayed around 15 going back to April 20.
The Omaha area is starting to reopen under Gov. Pete Ricketts’ direction, and he has cited hospital capacity as the reason for the move.
Douglas County reported Friday that 474 medical “surge beds” and 225 ventilators were available.
At a press conference Thursday, local leaders urged people to not let up on social distancing and infection prevention.
“Don’t stop now,” Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert said.
“The virus is still here,” she said. “It is still very deadly, and we don’t want a resurgence.”
Said Douglas County Health Director Adi Pour, “From a public health standpoint, I’m concerned that we are not having our infections under control. That concerns me greatly.”
World-Herald staff writers Jeffrey Robb and Reece Ristau contributed to this report.
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Photos: Our best staff photos of May 2020
Photos: Our best staff photos of May 2020
Iowa Bars
Customers drink at the The BLK Squirrel in Council Bluffs on Thursday. It was the first days bars could reopen in Iowa since being closed to limit the spread of coronavirus.
Iowa Bars
Kelsie Nelson makes drinks at the BLK Squirrel in Council Bluffs on Thursday. “We’re really excited to be back, we’ve missed our customers quite a bit, and we haven’t had that face-to-face interaction, so being able to do that is nice,” she said.
Protest 1
People listen to speakers at the protest of the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police during a rally at the Omaha police's northeast precinct on Thursday.
May Rain
A ant crawls between raindrops on a peony ready to bloom in midtown Omaha on Wednesday.
May Rain
Geese and goslings swim as rain falls at Fontenelle Park in Omaha on Tuesday.
Memorial Day
Andrea Williams, left, and Linda Simmonds walk through Forest Lawn Memorial Park to lay flowers on the grave of Robert Simmonds on Saturday.
Memorial Day
Pat Brown and her son Daryl Brown Sr. make their way to decorate a grave on Sunday at Mount Hope Cemetery in Omaha.
Memorial Day
Cindy, left, and Greg Blome lay flowers at the graves of numerous relatives buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park on Saturday.
Memorial Day
Pat Brown holds great-grandson Maxwell Carter's hand while decorating a grave Sunday at Mount Hope Cemetery in Omaha.
The King is watching
Morgan Smith, right, gives James Anderson a haircut at The Men's Salons - Aksarben.
Fence Message
A message for students graces a fence at the Bryan Elementary School in Millard.
Flights of Honor
The Flights of Honor free exhibit, commemorating Honor Flights for Nebraska veterans and military families, runs through Memorial Day at the VFW Post 2503 in Omaha.
Restaurants Reopen
Shirley’s Diner is one of the many restaurants in Omaha welcoming back customers. Restaurants must space tables six feet apart among several restrictions aimed at limiting the spread of coronavirus.
Musicians for Healing
Christina Klem serenades a resident at Fountain View Retirement Community. Klem was part of a group of mostly medical students giving a window concert. For many, it’s the first entertainment they’ve had in months.
Fill a Growler
Dawn Campbell, left, sells Megan Rerucha two growlers at Zipline Brewing Co. in downtown Omahay. Bars can take a step toward normal service on June 1.
Salvage yard fire
Firefighters battle a fire at U-Pull It Used Auto Parts north of downtown Omaha.
Salvage yard fire
People watch as firefighters battle a fire at U-Pull It Used Auto Parts north of downtown Omaha.
Spring Storm
A thunderstorm that prompted a tornado warning moves over Interstate 29 on Saturday near Glenwood, Iowa.
Eagle
A bald eagle prepares to take off from a tree on Lambert Avenue southwest of Pacific Junction, Iowa after watching a storm to the north that spawned a tornado warning on Saturday.
Grad Surprise
Jennifer Peck, left, shows her son Jack Wilkins his surprise graduation party at their west Omaha home on Friday.
First Patient 1
Emma Hutchinson and her father, Ralph Hutchinson, stand for a photo in his Omaha home. They were the first and second confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Nebraska. Emma spent weeks in the hospital and was put on a ventilator as she recovered.
First Patient 1
Hutchinson with a note she made for the staff of the Nebraska Medical Center. She spent 30 days at the hospital.
Last day of school 1
Dawn Zumbrennen, an eighth grade American history teacher, waves to students in the bed of a truck during a summer send-off parade at Elkhorn Valley View Middle School on Friday. It was the last day of virtual classes after the public school had to close because of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Last day of school 10
A summer send-off parade at Legacy School on Friday. It was the last day of virtual classes after the private school had to close because of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Recovery
Immanuel health care workers who cared for Ruby Jones in the ICU and in rehab gather to cheer her as she is discharged.
Rain
Tire tracks are left in the ribbons of rain in an Omaha parking garage on Wednesday, May 13, 2020.
Kosher BBQ
Rabbi Yoni Dreyer and his children Lavi, Tchiya and Eitan watch Peter Brunette entertain families in their vehicles with a juggling routine at a Lag B’Omer celebration with a drive-thru kosher barbecue at Chabad House in Omaha on Tuesday.
Kosher BBQ
Rabbi Mendel Katzman dances with his grandson, Yitzchak Baumgarten at a Lag B'Omer celebration with a drive-thru kosher barbecue at Chabad House in Omaha on Tuesday. Lag B'Omer is a holiday of Jewish pride and unity, often celebrated with a bonfire, emblematic of the soul rising up as flames do.
Nebraska Primary Voting
Sharon Beverly waits for voters at a downtown Omaha precinct on Tuesday during the Nebraska primary. Precinct sites had social distancing measures in place to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Nebraska Primary Voting
A voter fills out a ballot at Nathan Hale Magnet Middle School in Omaha on Tuesday.
Roadmaster
A 1949 Buick Roadmaster is lifted into the Redfield building in downtown Omaha on Monday, May 11, 2020. The building was once Nebraska's biggest Buick dealership, and is now being refurbished with space for offices and a restaurant.
Online Graduation
Matthew Meacham steps outside for photos while wearing his cap and gown after watching the University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduation celebration.
Online Graduation
Matthew Meacham wears his cap and gown while watching the University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduation celebration with his mom, Jeanette, sibling Kai and their miniature Australian shepherd, Ryder, at his family's Omaha home on Saturday.
Sunday services return
Parishioners pray during Mass at Saint Cecilia Cathedral on Sunday in Omaha.
Sunday services return
Deacon James Tardy reads during Mass at Saint Cecilia Cathedral on Sunday in Omaha.
NorthStar
Scott Hazelrigg can’t bring kids to NorthStar, so he’s going to their homes to make sure they are doing okay during the pandemic.
NorthStar
William Sherrod, top, hugs his mother Rhonda Scott in their front yard Wednesday while talking with NorthStar president Scott Hazelrigg. Hazelrigg is visiting youths who used to attend NorthStar enrichment programs but can't because of the coronavirus.
Sunday services return
Ron Helms hands out masks at Saint Cecilia Cathedral on Sunday in Omaha.
Mariachi music
Emmanuel Saunz performs mariachi music for healthcare workers outside OneWorld Community Health Center in Omaha on Friday, May 8, 2020. The clinic has been testing potential novel coronavirus patients in the parking lot of the south Omaha location.
A letter of praise
A letter of appreciation for those on the frontlines of the novel coronavirus pandemic outside a home in Omaha on Wednesday, May 06, 2020.
A sign of hope
A message of hope during the novel coronavirus pandemic from a home in Omaha on Wednesday, May 6, 2020.
Nebraska begins to reopen
People dine at Harold's Koffee House on the first day of loosened coronavirus restrictions on Monday, May 04, 2020.
Test Nebraska begins in Omaha
A worker uses a swab to test someone for coronavirus at a drive-thru testing site in Lot D of the CHI Health Center.
Test Nebraska begins in Omaha
CHI Health medical professionals applaud a child who underwent testing for the novel coronavirus on Monday outside Omaha’s downtown arena.
Test Nebraska begins in Omaha
Medical workers wait for people at a tent at a drive through testing site in Lot D of the CHI Health Center on Monday, May 04, 2020. This was part of the TestNebraska initiative launched two weeks ago by Gov. Pete Ricketts.
Volunteers help Food Bank for the Heartland
Volunteers and members of the Nebraska National Guard unload donations at the Food Bank for the Heartland 10525 J St., on Saturday, May 02, 2020.
Volunteers help Food Bank for the Heartland
A member of the Nebraska National Guard directs traffic during a food drive at the Food Bank for the Heartland 10525 J St., on Saturday, May 02, 2020.
Volunteers help Food Bank for the Heartland
Volunteers and members of the Nebraska National Guard unload donations at the Food Bank for the Heartland 10525 J St., on Saturday, May 02, 2020.
Jeffrey Robb
Jeff Robb dives into data for The World-Herald. Follow him on Twitter @jeffreyrobb. Phone: 402-444-1128.
Nancy Gaarder
Nancy Gaarder helps cover public safety and weather events as an editor on The World-Herald's breaking news desk. Follow her on Twitter @gaarder. Email: nancy.gaarder@owh.com
Erin Duffy
Reporter - Education
Erin is an enterprise reporter for the World-Herald. Previously, Erin covered education. Follow her on Twitter @eduff88. Phone: 402-444-1210.
Reece Ristau
Reece covers Omaha City Hall, including the City Council and Mayor's Office, and how decisions by local leaders affect Omaha residents. He's a born-and-raised Nebraskan and UNL graduate. Follow him on Twitter @reecereports. Phone: 402-444-1127
