Nebraska DHHS Says Virus Also Affecting Younger People; New Cases Reported

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, citing the CDC, says 20 percent of people hospitalized in U.S. for COVID-19 are 20-44 years old. The Department also has announced 10 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 across Nebraska. It says increased testing has helped reveal traveled-related spread connected to already confirmed cases.

DHHS offers historical perspective and practical advice here: https://bit.ly/2QSm6Gb

Meanwhile, the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department has confirmed a close contact of Lincoln's first official COVID-19 case tested positive for the virus. "The family member has been home since developing symptoms March 18," LLCHD said in a statement. "The individual also continues to self-isolate and had limited exposure to others in the community." The city's first case is believed to be travel-related, as the 48-year-old man had recently taken a trip to Colorado. He is also self-isolating at home.

Twin Rivers Public Health Department also announced Dawson county's first case, which is considered travel-related. The woman is in her 40s and does not have serious symptoms. TRPHD also confirmed a family member of Buffalo county's first case has also developed symptoms. They are both "in mild condition" and recovering at home.

Later Sunday, DHHS announced two more cases it said were travel-related, one in Dawson County, one in Douglas County. That brings the reported state total to 50.

Douglas County has experienced the largest increase in documented cases. Six additional people, all of whom are close contacts of previously existing travel-related cases, are now confirmed cases. “We anticipated that increased testing would uncover more cases of COVID-19,” Douglas County Health Director Dr. Adi Pour said. “That has proven to be the case."

The county acknowledged in a press release that there are likely many more unknown cases present in the area, but that the majority have mild or no symptoms after infection. According to the CDC, 4 out of 5 people who become ill contracted it from somebody who wasn't aware that they were carriers.