New COVID-19 cases in the Grand Island area are starting to decrease, according to Central District Health Department Director Teresa Anderson.
Anderson said 41 cases have been reported in in Hall, Hamilton and Merrick counties so far this week.
Last week, the health district confirmed 211 cases and 371 cases the week ending on May 1, according to the health district's data.
Central District COVID-19 Deaths
A graph shows the number of COVID-19 deaths per week in the Central District Health Department.
"Again, you can see good news because our number of deaths is decreasing dramatically," Anderson said.
Two deaths have been reported in the district so far this week, compared to five last week and 10 the week before. The district's 44 total deaths make up nearly half of the 107 deaths statewide.
"I mention these things to give us courage to continue on, but not to let our guard down," Anderson said, telling residents they should continue to take precautions – like social distancing and wearing masks – to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Grand Island Mayor Roger Steele said during a recent conversation with Gov. Pete Ricketts, he and Anderson discussed the possibility the area won’t be back to normal until August.
In total, the Central Health District has reported 1,442 COVID-19 cases. The area has become heavily monitored, as it's home to a JBS USA meatpacking plant and has some of the state's highest totals in cases.