SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota health officials say the state has gone over the 100,000 mark in the number of COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic. 

Sunday's update showed 703 new cases that included two days of data because of the New Year’s holiday. 

The number of total positive tests stands at 100,532. 

The COVID Tracking Project says there were nearly 623 new cases per 100,000 people in South Dakota over the past two weeks, which ranks 34th in the country for new cases per capita. 

One in every 308 people in South Dakota tested positive in the past week.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota health officials say the state has gone over the 100,000 mark in the number of COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic. Sunday's update showed 703 new cases that included two days of data because of the New Year’s holiday. The number of total positive tests stands at 100,532. The COVID Tracking Project says there were nearly 623 new cases per 100,000 people in South Dakota over the past two weeks, which ranks 34th in the country for new cases per capita. One in every 308 people in South Dakota tested positive in the past week.

South Dakota tops 100,000 in cumulative COVID-19 cases

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska health officials say people 75 and older are the state's next priority for distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. 

The state updated its vaccination plan to clarify the process after some teachers and school staff in Scottsbluff received the vaccine last week. 

That came after federal health officials revised recommendations to add persons 75 and older to the group that should get the vaccine after health care workers and residents at long-term nursing facilities. 

State officials say Scottsbluff was following previous guidance when it vaccinated school staff.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska health officials say people 75 and older are the state's next priority for distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. The state updated its vaccination plan to clarify the process after some teachers and school staff in Scottsbluff received the vaccine last week. That came after federal health officials revised recommendations to add persons 75 and older to the group that should get the vaccine after health care workers and residents at long-term nursing facilities. State officials say Scottsbluff was following previous guidance when it vaccinated school staff.

Elderly to be next priority for COVID-19 vaccine

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska restaurants that were allowed to start selling carryout cocktails amid the pandemic want to continue doing so even after it wanes.

The Omaha World-Herald&nbsp;<a href="https://omaha.com/news/state-and-regional/restaurant-association-says-nebraska-should-extend-carryout-cocktails-to-help-businesses-survive/article_607cea2c-4ad4-11eb-b6db-bb612e8a04d0.html#tracking-source=home-top-story" target="_blank">reports&nbsp;</a>that the Nebraska Restaurant Association plans to push for the expansion during the upcoming 2021 legislative session. The waiver extends until the end of the pandemic emergency.

"This is a way for our restaurants to survive and come out the other side of this pandemic," said Zoe Olson, the executive director of the restaurant group.

Olson said the association's proposal would include a requirement for some sort of seal on carryout beverages that, if broken, would indicate that someone had opened their takeout drink in transit. The proposal would also end to-go drinks at some point, so legislators could review the policy and decide whether it should be extended.

But the idea is getting some pushback from groups that oppose binge drinking and drunken driving.

"When you increase the availability, and the ease of access to alcohol, that's when you get increased harms," said Chris Wagner, executive director of Project Extra Mile, an Omaha-based group that seeks to prevent or reduce problems associated with alcohol.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1609636619946.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska restaurants that were allowed to start selling carryout cocktails amid the pandemic want to continue doing so even after it wanes.The Omaha World-Herald&nbsp;<a href="https://omaha.com/news/state-and-regional/restaurant-association-says-nebraska-should-extend-carryout-cocktails-to-help-businesses-survive/article_607cea2c-4ad4-11eb-b6db-bb612e8a04d0.html#tracking-source=home-top-story" target="_blank">reports&nbsp;</a>that the Nebraska Restaurant Association plans to push for the expansion during the upcoming 2021 legislative session. The waiver extends until the end of the pandemic emergency."This is a way for our restaurants to survive and come out the other side of this pandemic," said Zoe Olson, the executive director of the restaurant group.Olson said the association's proposal would include a requirement for some sort of seal on carryout beverages that, if broken, would indicate that someone had opened their takeout drink in transit. The proposal would also end to-go drinks at some point, so legislators could review the policy and decide whether it should be extended.But the idea is getting some pushback from groups that oppose binge drinking and drunken driving."When you increase the availability, and the ease of access to alcohol, that's when you get increased harms," said Chris Wagner, executive director of Project Extra Mile, an Omaha-based group that seeks to prevent or reduce problems associated with alcohol.

Restaurants: Nebraska should extend carryout cocktails

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — New unemployment and pandemic assistance claims in Nebraska dropped slightly last week. 

The state Department of Labor says it received 2,680 new unemployment claims and 284 pandemic unemployment assistance claims during the week that ended Saturday. 

Those numbers are down by a total of 65 from the previous week. 

State officials say the number of continuing unemployment claims was 11,596, while the number of continuing pandemic assistance claims 5,606.

 Those numbers are down by a total of 636 from the prior week.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — New unemployment and pandemic assistance claims in Nebraska dropped slightly last week. The state Department of Labor says it received 2,680 new unemployment claims and 284 pandemic unemployment assistance claims during the week that ended Saturday. Those numbers are down by a total of 65 from the previous week. State officials say the number of continuing unemployment claims was 11,596, while the number of continuing pandemic assistance claims 5,606. Those numbers are down by a total of 636 from the prior week.

Nebraska jobless, pandemic assistance claims dip slightly

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska saw a sudden uptick in new coronavirus cases on Thursday, but the number is still below the record highs set last month. 

The state reported 1,516 new cases on Wednesday, up from 932 the previous day. 

The number of people hospitalized with the virus in Nebraska increased as well to 544 on Wednesday, up from 517 the previous day. 

Nebraska has confirmed 165,297 coronavirus cases and 1,611 deaths since the pandemic began. 

About 64% of those who have died were at least 75 years old, according to the state’s tracking portal.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska saw a sudden uptick in new coronavirus cases on Thursday, but the number is still below the record highs set last month. The state reported 1,516 new cases on Wednesday, up from 932 the previous day. The number of people hospitalized with the virus in Nebraska increased as well to 544 on Wednesday, up from 517 the previous day. Nebraska has confirmed 165,297 coronavirus cases and 1,611 deaths since the pandemic began. About 64% of those who have died were at least 75 years old, according to the state’s tracking portal.

Nebraska sees sudden jump in new coronavirus cases

By COLLEEN SLEVIN and CARLA K. JOHNSON, Associated Press

California on Wednesday announced the nation’s second confirmed case of the new and apparently more contagious variant of the coronavirus, offering a strong indication that the infection is spreading more widely in the United States.

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the infection found in Southern California during an online conversation with Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

“I don’t think Californians should think that this is odd. It’s to be expected,” Fauci said.

Newsom did not provide any details about the person who was infected.

The announcement came 24 hours after word of the first reported U.S. variant infection, which emerged in Colorado. That person was identified Wednesday as a Colorado National Guardsman who had been sent to help out at a nursing home struggling with an outbreak. Health officials said a second Guard member may have it too.

The cases triggered a host of questions about how the version circulating in England arrived in the U.S. and whether it is too late to stop it now, with top experts saying it is probably already spreading elsewhere in the United States.

“The virus is becoming more fit, and we’re like a deer in the headlights,” warned Dr. Eric Topol, head of Scripps Research Translational Institute. He noted that the U.S. does far less genetic sequencing of virus samples to discover variants than other developed nations, and thus was probably slow to detect this new mutation.

The two Guard members had been dispatched Dec. 23 to work at the Good Samaritan Society nursing home in the small town of Simla, in a mostly rural area about 90 miles outside Denver, said Dr. Rachel Herlihy, state epidemiologist. They were among six Guard members sent to the home.

Nasal swab samples taken from the two as part of the Guard’s routine coronavirus testing were sent to the state laboratory, which began looking for the variant after its spread was announced in Britain earlier this month, Herlihy said. Samples from staff and residents at the nursing home are also being screened for the variant at the lab, but so far no evidence of it has been found, she said.

The Colorado case announced Tuesday involves a man in his 20s who had not traveled recently, officials said. He has mild symptoms and is isolating at his home near Denver, while the person with the suspected case is isolating at a Colorado hotel while further genetic analysis is done on his sample, officials said.

The nursing home said it is working closely with the state and is also looking forward to beginning vaccinations next week.

Several states, including California, Massachusetts and Delaware, are also analyzing suspicious virus samples for the variant, said Dr. Greg Armstrong, who directs genetic sequencing at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He said the CDC is working with a national lab that gets samples from around the country to broaden that search, with results expected within days.

The discovery in Colorado has added urgency to the nation’s vaccination drive against COVID-19, which has killed more than 340,000 people in the U.S.

Britain is seeing infections soar and hospitalizations climb to their highest levels on record. The variant has also been found in several other countries.

Scientists have found no evidence that it is more lethal or causes more severe illness, and they believe the vaccines now being dispensed will be effective against it. But a faster-spreading virus could swamp hospitals with seriously ill patients.

The discovery overseas led the CDC to issue rules on Christmas Day requiring travelers arriving from Britain to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test. But U.S. health officials said the Colorado patient’s lack of travel history suggests the new variant is already spreading in this country.

Topol said it is too late for travel bans.

“We’re behind in finding it. Colorado is likely one of many places it’s landed here,” he said. “It’s all over the place. How can you ban travel from everywhere?”

Colorado public health officials are conducting contact tracing to determine its spread.

Researchers estimate the variant is 50% to 70% more contagious, said Dr. Eric France, Colorado’s chief medical officer.

“Instead of only making two or three other people sick, you might actually spread it to four or five people,” France said. “That means we’ll have more cases in our communities. Those number of cases will rise quickly and, of course, with more cases come more hospitalizations.”

London and southeast England were placed under strict lockdown measures earlier this month because of the variant, and dozens of countries banned flights from Britain. France also briefly barred trucks from Britain before allowing them back in, provided the drivers got tested for the virus.

New versions of the virus have been seen almost since it was first detected in China a year ago. It is common for viruses to undergo minor changes as they reproduce and move through a population. The fear is that mutations at some point will become significant enough to defeat the vaccines.

South Africa has also discovered a highly contagious COVID-19 variant that is driving the country’s latest spike of cases, hospitalizations and deaths.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608566572342.png" alt="image courtesy GISAID" />
 <figcaption>image courtesy GISAID</figcaption>
 </figure>By COLLEEN SLEVIN and CARLA K. JOHNSON, Associated PressCalifornia on Wednesday announced the nation’s second confirmed case of the new and apparently more contagious variant of the coronavirus, offering a strong indication that the infection is spreading more widely in the United States.Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the infection found in Southern California during an online conversation with Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.“I don’t think Californians should think that this is odd. It’s to be expected,” Fauci said.Newsom did not provide any details about the person who was infected.The announcement came 24 hours after word of the first reported U.S. variant infection, which emerged in Colorado. That person was identified Wednesday as a Colorado National Guardsman who had been sent to help out at a nursing home struggling with an outbreak. Health officials said a second Guard member may have it too.The cases triggered a host of questions about how the version circulating in England arrived in the U.S. and whether it is too late to stop it now, with top experts saying it is probably already spreading elsewhere in the United States.“The virus is becoming more fit, and we’re like a deer in the headlights,” warned Dr. Eric Topol, head of Scripps Research Translational Institute. He noted that the U.S. does far less genetic sequencing of virus samples to discover variants than other developed nations, and thus was probably slow to detect this new mutation.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fjaredpolis%2Fvideos%2F1622822051256882%2F&show_text=false&width=560" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>The two Guard members had been dispatched Dec. 23 to work at the Good Samaritan Society nursing home in the small town of Simla, in a mostly rural area about 90 miles outside Denver, said Dr. Rachel Herlihy, state epidemiologist. They were among six Guard members sent to the home.Nasal swab samples taken from the two as part of the Guard’s routine coronavirus testing were sent to the state laboratory, which began looking for the variant after its spread was announced in Britain earlier this month, Herlihy said. Samples from staff and residents at the nursing home are also being screened for the variant at the lab, but so far no evidence of it has been found, she said.The Colorado case announced Tuesday involves a man in his 20s who had not traveled recently, officials said. He has mild symptoms and is isolating at his home near Denver, while the person with the suspected case is isolating at a Colorado hotel while further genetic analysis is done on his sample, officials said.The nursing home said it is working closely with the state and is also looking forward to beginning vaccinations next week.Several states, including California, Massachusetts and Delaware, are also analyzing suspicious virus samples for the variant, said Dr. Greg Armstrong, who directs genetic sequencing at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He said the CDC is working with a national lab that gets samples from around the country to broaden that search, with results expected within days.The discovery in Colorado has added urgency to the nation’s vaccination drive against COVID-19, which has killed more than 340,000 people in the U.S.Britain is seeing infections soar and hospitalizations climb to their highest levels on record. The variant has also been found in several other countries.Scientists have found no evidence that it is more lethal or causes more severe illness, and they believe the vaccines now being dispensed will be effective against it. But a faster-spreading virus could swamp hospitals with seriously ill patients.The discovery overseas led the CDC to issue rules on Christmas Day requiring travelers arriving from Britain to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test. But U.S. health officials said the Colorado patient’s lack of travel history suggests the new variant is already spreading in this country.Topol said it is too late for travel bans.“We’re behind in finding it. Colorado is likely one of many places it’s landed here,” he said. “It’s all over the place. How can you ban travel from everywhere?”Colorado public health officials are conducting contact tracing to determine its spread.Researchers estimate the variant is 50% to 70% more contagious, said Dr. Eric France, Colorado’s chief medical officer.“Instead of only making two or three other people sick, you might actually spread it to four or five people,” France said. “That means we’ll have more cases in our communities. Those number of cases will rise quickly and, of course, with more cases come more hospitalizations.”London and southeast England were placed under strict lockdown measures earlier this month because of the variant, and dozens of countries banned flights from Britain. France also briefly barred trucks from Britain before allowing them back in, provided the drivers got tested for the virus.New versions of the virus have been seen almost since it was first detected in China a year ago. It is common for viruses to undergo minor changes as they reproduce and move through a population. The fear is that mutations at some point will become significant enough to defeat the vaccines.South Africa has also discovered a highly contagious COVID-19 variant that is driving the country’s latest spike of cases, hospitalizations and deaths.___

Highly infectious COVID-19 variant spreading in US

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The University of Nebraska Medical Center and Nebraska Medicine are participating in national testing of a potential new coronavirus vaccine for adults. 

The medical center plans to enroll 1,000 study participants for the clinical trial. 

The potential vaccine was developed by Novavax, Inc., a U.S. biotechnology company, which plans to enroll 30,000 adults in the U.S. and Mexico. 

People who won’t be receiving the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines in the next three to six months are encouraged to consider enrolling in the trial. 

The vaccine candidate is a protein based vaccine created from the coronavirus spike protein and an added component that boosts a person’s immune response to stimulate higher levels of antibodies.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The University of Nebraska Medical Center and Nebraska Medicine are participating in national testing of a potential new coronavirus vaccine for adults. The medical center plans to enroll 1,000 study participants for the clinical trial. The potential vaccine was developed by Novavax, Inc., a U.S. biotechnology company, which plans to enroll 30,000 adults in the U.S. and Mexico. People who won’t be receiving the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines in the next three to six months are encouraged to consider enrolling in the trial. The vaccine candidate is a protein based vaccine created from the coronavirus spike protein and an added component that boosts a person’s immune response to stimulate higher levels of antibodies.

Nebraska participating in test of new potential vaccine

When the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Day, many are going to be glad to have 2020 in the history books.&nbsp; It’s not been easy to endure the pandemic, but I’m inspired by the way Nebraskans have pulled together to fight the virus. &nbsp;Even though it’s been a tough year, Nebraskans have shown great resilience as a state, and we’ve made vital contributions to the nation’s response to the global pandemic.

Before anyone in our state tested positive for coronavirus, Nebraskans were already stepping up to help protect our fellow Americans from the disease.&nbsp; On February 7th, Camp Ashland—an installation of the Nebraska National Guard—hosted 57 Americans who had been evacuated from the region of Wuhan, China where the virus originated.&nbsp; The quarantine operation was a success.&nbsp; All of the evacuees were cleared for release after a two-week quarantine period.&nbsp; On February 17th, UNMC took in more than a dozen Americans who had been rescued from a Diamond Princess cruise ship off the coast of Japan.&nbsp; The patients were treated and monitored in the National Quarantine Unit, and all of them were released in good health.&nbsp;

With this experience behind us, protecting Nebraska’s hospitals became the ‘north star’ guiding our strategic response to the coronavirus.&nbsp; We’ve been successful in ensuring that every Nebraskan who needs a hospital bed, ICU bed, or ventilator has access to one.&nbsp; We put together a six-part plan to help achieve this goal.

3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Purchasing and Distributing PPE

4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Setting aside space for people to quarantine

5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Protecting At-Risk Populations

6.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Issuing Directed Health Measures

In addition to these steps, Nebraskans have been using the tools to slow the spread of the virus such as social distancing, wearing a mask to the store, washing hands often, and staying home when sick.&nbsp; Our communities have responded as expected—by looking out for one another and doing the right thing.&nbsp;

As we’ve protected hospital capacity, we’ve also been working to help Nebraskans recover.&nbsp; The state steered federal coronavirus relief towards $411 million in grants for Nebraska’s businesses and family farms.&nbsp; This includes grants of $12,000 to 12,214 small businesses and 9,209 livestock producers with 75 or fewer employees.&nbsp; The funds also include stabilization grants to hotels and convention centers, zoos, ethanol producers, event centers and sports arenas.&nbsp; According to the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank, “revenues generated in November by the state’s small businesses were the third strongest in the nation relative to January.”&nbsp;

The strength of Nebraska’s ag producers, food processors, and transportation companies have helped feed the world throughout the pandemic.&nbsp; Companies in our state have also played pivotal roles in the efforts to produce a safe and effective coronavirus vaccine.&nbsp; Meridian Clinical Research in Omaha took part in the clinical trial to gather research on the Moderna vaccine, which arrived to our state last week.&nbsp; Becton Dickinson (BD) invested $70 million to expand its capacity in Nebraska in order to manufacture the needles and syringes used to administer vaccines.&nbsp; These are just a couple of examples of how Nebraska has played a leading role in the national response to the pandemic.

While battling coronavirus, we’ve kept building on our Four Pillars to keep Nebraska moving forward even in the midst of tough circumstances.&nbsp; We’ve seen new opportunities in developing our workforce, with the creation of 2,280 Career Scholarships at our state’s colleges and universities to help connect young Nebraskans to great jobs in fields with a high demand for talent.&nbsp; We’ve made it easier to do business in Nebraska by continuing to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of state government services.&nbsp; This has helped attract major investments from Camping World (Sidney), Amazon and Hormel (Papillion), Vireo (Plattsmouth), Dollar General (Blair), and Monolith Materials (Hallam)—just to name a few examples from 2020.

Throughout the pandemic, we’ve been cutting red tape to keep Nebraskans working. &nbsp;From giving licensed professions more flexibility to allowing restaurants to offer carryout alcohol, we looked for ways to grow our healthcare workforce and help small businesses survive.&nbsp; The jobs being created across our state have helped Nebraska to have the nation’s lowest unemployment rate.&nbsp; At 3.1%, our unemployment rate for November 2020 is only slightly above where it stood one year ago (3.0%)—despite the pandemic.

In August 2020, we also celebrated a giant step forward in delivering property tax relief to Nebraskans.&nbsp; The bill the Legislature passed, and I signed into law, creates a refundable income tax credit based on your property taxes paid to schools.&nbsp; Once the tax credit is phased in, the state will provide an additional $375 million in property tax relief.&nbsp;

While the coronavirus postponed the trade missions we had planned in 2020, we still saw fruit from our international engagement this year. &nbsp;In early March, Vietnamese trade officials visited Lincoln as a follow up from our fall 2019 trade mission to Hanoi.&nbsp; They committed to buy $3 billion of beef, corn, distiller’s grains, soybeans, and wheat from Nebraska in the next two to three years.&nbsp;

In spite of all the challenges, we have a lot we can be grateful for over the past year. &nbsp;We still have a ways to go before the pandemic is over, but Nebraskans can be proud of how the state has come together during this difficult time.&nbsp; If you have questions about coronavirus vaccinations or our current Directed Health Measures, please email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:pete.ricketts@nebraska.gov">pete.ricketts@nebraska.gov</a>&nbsp;or call 402-471-2244.&nbsp; Working together, we rebuilt bigger and better after the 2019 floods.&nbsp; I’m confident we’ll also emerge from the coronavirus pandemic stronger than ever in 2021.&nbsp; Happy New Year!

When the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Day, many are going to be glad to have 2020 in the history books.&nbsp; It’s not been easy to endure the pandemic, but I’m inspired by the way Nebraskans have pulled together to fight the virus. &nbsp;Even though it’s been a tough year, Nebraskans have shown great resilience as a state, and we’ve made vital contributions to the nation’s response to the global pandemic.Before anyone in our state tested positive for coronavirus, Nebraskans were already stepping up to help protect our fellow Americans from the disease.&nbsp; On February 7th, Camp Ashland—an installation of the Nebraska National Guard—hosted 57 Americans who had been evacuated from the region of Wuhan, China where the virus originated.&nbsp; The quarantine operation was a success.&nbsp; All of the evacuees were cleared for release after a two-week quarantine period.&nbsp; On February 17th, UNMC took in more than a dozen Americans who had been rescued from a Diamond Princess cruise ship off the coast of Japan.&nbsp; The patients were treated and monitored in the National Quarantine Unit, and all of them were released in good health.&nbsp;With this experience behind us, protecting Nebraska’s hospitals became the ‘north star’ guiding our strategic response to the coronavirus.&nbsp; We’ve been successful in ensuring that every Nebraskan who needs a hospital bed, ICU bed, or ventilator has access to one.&nbsp; We put together a six-part plan to help achieve this goal.1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Testing2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Contact Tracing3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Purchasing and Distributing PPE4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Setting aside space for people to quarantine5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Protecting At-Risk Populations6.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Issuing Directed Health MeasuresIn addition to these steps, Nebraskans have been using the tools to slow the spread of the virus such as social distancing, wearing a mask to the store, washing hands often, and staying home when sick.&nbsp; Our communities have responded as expected—by looking out for one another and doing the right thing.&nbsp;As we’ve protected hospital capacity, we’ve also been working to help Nebraskans recover.&nbsp; The state steered federal coronavirus relief towards $411 million in grants for Nebraska’s businesses and family farms.&nbsp; This includes grants of $12,000 to 12,214 small businesses and 9,209 livestock producers with 75 or fewer employees.&nbsp; The funds also include stabilization grants to hotels and convention centers, zoos, ethanol producers, event centers and sports arenas.&nbsp; According to the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank, “revenues generated in November by the state’s small businesses were the third strongest in the nation relative to January.”&nbsp;The strength of Nebraska’s ag producers, food processors, and transportation companies have helped feed the world throughout the pandemic.&nbsp; Companies in our state have also played pivotal roles in the efforts to produce a safe and effective coronavirus vaccine.&nbsp; Meridian Clinical Research in Omaha took part in the clinical trial to gather research on the Moderna vaccine, which arrived to our state last week.&nbsp; Becton Dickinson (BD) invested $70 million to expand its capacity in Nebraska in order to manufacture the needles and syringes used to administer vaccines.&nbsp; These are just a couple of examples of how Nebraska has played a leading role in the national response to the pandemic.While battling coronavirus, we’ve kept building on our Four Pillars to keep Nebraska moving forward even in the midst of tough circumstances.&nbsp; We’ve seen new opportunities in developing our workforce, with the creation of 2,280 Career Scholarships at our state’s colleges and universities to help connect young Nebraskans to great jobs in fields with a high demand for talent.&nbsp; We’ve made it easier to do business in Nebraska by continuing to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of state government services.&nbsp; This has helped attract major investments from Camping World (Sidney), Amazon and Hormel (Papillion), Vireo (Plattsmouth), Dollar General (Blair), and Monolith Materials (Hallam)—just to name a few examples from 2020.Throughout the pandemic, we’ve been cutting red tape to keep Nebraskans working. &nbsp;From giving licensed professions more flexibility to allowing restaurants to offer carryout alcohol, we looked for ways to grow our healthcare workforce and help small businesses survive.&nbsp; The jobs being created across our state have helped Nebraska to have the nation’s lowest unemployment rate.&nbsp; At 3.1%, our unemployment rate for November 2020 is only slightly above where it stood one year ago (3.0%)—despite the pandemic.In August 2020, we also celebrated a giant step forward in delivering property tax relief to Nebraskans.&nbsp; The bill the Legislature passed, and I signed into law, creates a refundable income tax credit based on your property taxes paid to schools.&nbsp; Once the tax credit is phased in, the state will provide an additional $375 million in property tax relief.&nbsp;While the coronavirus postponed the trade missions we had planned in 2020, we still saw fruit from our international engagement this year. &nbsp;In early March, Vietnamese trade officials visited Lincoln as a follow up from our fall 2019 trade mission to Hanoi.&nbsp; They committed to buy $3 billion of beef, corn, distiller’s grains, soybeans, and wheat from Nebraska in the next two to three years.&nbsp;In spite of all the challenges, we have a lot we can be grateful for over the past year. &nbsp;We still have a ways to go before the pandemic is over, but Nebraskans can be proud of how the state has come together during this difficult time.&nbsp; If you have questions about coronavirus vaccinations or our current Directed Health Measures, please email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:pete.ricketts@nebraska.gov">pete.ricketts@nebraska.gov</a>&nbsp;or call 402-471-2244.&nbsp; Working together, we rebuilt bigger and better after the 2019 floods.&nbsp; I’m confident we’ll also emerge from the coronavirus pandemic stronger than ever in 2021.&nbsp; Happy New Year!

Gov. Ricketts: Farewell to 2020

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska school districts are working to determine how many of their employees want the coronavirus vaccine, so health officials can be ready to deliver them. 

School employees are one of the next groups of people scheduled to get the vaccine after health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities who are getting vaccinated now. 

The educators are likely to get the vaccine in January or February along with first responders and other essential workers.

 State health officials said Monday that more than 20,000 doses of the vaccine have been administered in Nebraska so far.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska school districts are working to determine how many of their employees want the coronavirus vaccine, so health officials can be ready to deliver them. School employees are one of the next groups of people scheduled to get the vaccine after health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities who are getting vaccinated now. The educators are likely to get the vaccine in January or February along with first responders and other essential workers. State health officials said Monday that more than 20,000 doses of the vaccine have been administered in Nebraska so far.

Nebraska schools preparing for virus vaccinations next year

ALLIANCE — For a limited time, the American Red Cross is testing all blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies, providing donors insight into whether they have been exposed to this coronavirus. At the same time, there continues to be an urgent need for blood donations as hospitals resume surgeries and treatments that require blood products.

Antibody testing will indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to this coronavirus, regardless of whether they developed symptoms. Donations will be tested using samples pulled at the time of donation and sent to a testing laboratory where they will also undergo routine infectious disease testing. A positive antibody test result does not confirm infection or immunity.

COVID-19 antibody test results will be available within 7-10 days in the Red Cross Blood Donor App or donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org. The test has been authorized for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The next Alliance Community blood drive will be Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021, at the Alliance Berean Church from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Appointments are encouraged to be able to provide responsible social distancing. Appointments can be made by calling or texting Amanda at 308-660-6709 or visiting <a href="http://redcrossblood.org">redcrossblood.org</a>

“As an organization dedicated to helping others, the Red Cross is pleased to provide more information about COVID-19 to our valued donors,” said Dr. Erin Goodhue, executive medical director of direct patient care with the Red Cross Biomedical Services. “If you are feeling healthy and well, please schedule an appointment to not only help saves lives but also learn about your potential exposure to COVID-19.”

The Red Cross is not testing donors to diagnose illness, referred to as a diagnostic test. Donation appointments can be made by calling or texting Amanda at 308-660-6709, downloading the free Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

To protect the health and safety of Red Cross staff and donors, individuals who do not feel well or who believe they may be ill with COVID-19 should postpone their donation.

Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the&nbsp; drive and are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.

All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at <a href="http://RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass">RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass</a> or use the Blood Donor App.

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-forprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

ALLIANCE — For a limited time, the American Red Cross is testing all blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies, providing donors insight into whether they have been exposed to this coronavirus. At the same time, there continues to be an urgent need for blood donations as hospitals resume surgeries and treatments that require blood products.Antibody testing will indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to this coronavirus, regardless of whether they developed symptoms. Donations will be tested using samples pulled at the time of donation and sent to a testing laboratory where they will also undergo routine infectious disease testing. A positive antibody test result does not confirm infection or immunity.COVID-19 antibody test results will be available within 7-10 days in the Red Cross Blood Donor App or donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org. The test has been authorized for emergency use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.The next Alliance Community blood drive will be Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021, at the Alliance Berean Church from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Appointments are encouraged to be able to provide responsible social distancing. Appointments can be made by calling or texting Amanda at 308-660-6709 or visiting <a href="http://redcrossblood.org">redcrossblood.org</a>“As an organization dedicated to helping others, the Red Cross is pleased to provide more information about COVID-19 to our valued donors,” said Dr. Erin Goodhue, executive medical director of direct patient care with the Red Cross Biomedical Services. “If you are feeling healthy and well, please schedule an appointment to not only help saves lives but also learn about your potential exposure to COVID-19.”The Red Cross is not testing donors to diagnose illness, referred to as a diagnostic test. Donation appointments can be made by calling or texting Amanda at 308-660-6709, downloading the free Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.Blood drive safety precautionsTo protect the health and safety of Red Cross staff and donors, individuals who do not feel well or who believe they may be ill with COVID-19 should postpone their donation.Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including temperature checks, social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the&nbsp; drive and are required to wear a face covering or mask while at the drive, in alignment with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention public guidance.About blood donationAll blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at <a href="http://RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass">RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass</a> or use the Blood Donor App.About the American Red CrossThe American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-forprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

Blood drive to be held in Alliance 

By PPHD<a> </a>Dr. Kevin Reichmuth, Pulmonologist at Nebraska Pulmonology Specialties of Lincoln and Nebraska Army National Guard Colonel, joined the Panhandle briefing to outline the vaccine science and dispel circulating myths.

Reichmuth shared messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines are a new type of vaccine to protect against infectious diseases. To trigger an immune response, many vaccines put a weakened or inactivated germ into our bodies. mRNA vaccines teach our cells how to make a protein-or even a piece of a protein-that triggers an immune response inside our bodies. That immune response, which produces antibodies, is what protects us from getting infected if the real virus enters our bodies.

The combination of several factors made it possible to increase the speed of vaccine development.

“The federal government’s commitment to a vaccine was spot-on, they overcame bureaucratic barriers towards important collaboration to efficiently move through each phase, allowing them to be ready,” said Dr. Reichmuth.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory committee meetings are on a specific schedule and they don’t normally adjust that schedule, but because we are in a pandemic, these emergency meetings moved quicker.

As cases were increasing so rapidly, separation and efficacy of the vaccine could be seen allowing the FDA to see safety data. It was easy to see the analysis in the interim and separation and efficacy in the vaccine allowing them to see what the FDA had set as the bar for achieving safety.

“The mRNA vaccines does not alter our DNA and it does not cause infertility. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and Society of Maternal Fetal Medicine would not have endorsed this vaccine in reproductive age women if that was a concern, the COVID infection itself could cause infertility. Preventing the infection has multiple benefits, ” said Dr. Reichmuth.

He added, “The concern about Bell’s Palsy is actively being monitored, we are about two million vaccinations and there have been no spikes. In the Pfizer trial, there were four cases of Bell’s Palsy in the vaccination group and none in the placebo group. In the Moderna trial, it was three in the vaccination group and one in the placebo group. The bottom-line is that is not outside of the normal realm of Bell’s Palsy we would see in the population of about 15-20 cases per 100,000 people. In the Pfizer trial, that’s four cases out of 22,000 patients in the vaccination group and that’s not outside of what we would see normally.”

Reichmuth affirmed to-date, they have not seen cases of Guillain Barre Syndrome correlated with the vaccine and it continues to be actively monitored.

A full recording of Dr. Reichmuth’s presentation can be found at:&nbsp;<a href="https://tinyurl.com/ycj7mf3a" target="_blank">https://tinyurl.com/ycj7mf3a</a>&nbsp;or on PPHD’s website at:&nbsp;<a href="http://pphd.org/COVID-19.html" target="_blank">http://pphd.org/COVID-19.html</a>. Please share with others to stay informed on important COVID vaccine updates.

To date, 830 people in the eligible populations have received the COVID vaccine in the Panhandle. This number will continue to increase with each weekly distribution to the eligible populations at the corresponding times.

Ten additional COVID-related deaths in the Panhandle are being reported. This brings the total deaths in the Panhandle to 114. The deaths are being announced as follows:

“We share our sincerest sympathy with the friends and loved ones in the loss of our fellow Panhandle residents. We send you peace and comfort especially during this holiday season,” said Kim Engel, Panhandle Public Health District Director.

Unified Command confirms 232 more cases of COVID in the Panhandle since last reporting on Monday, December 21. Recoveries are available on the Panhandle dashboard at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.pphd.org/" target="_blank">www.pphd.org</a>.&nbsp;The investigations are underway, all close contacts will be quarantined.

Current COVID testing access can be found at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.pphd.org/" target="_blank">www.pphd.org</a>.

By PPHD<a> </a>Dr. Kevin Reichmuth, Pulmonologist at Nebraska Pulmonology Specialties of Lincoln and Nebraska Army National Guard Colonel, joined the Panhandle briefing to outline the vaccine science and dispel circulating myths.Reichmuth shared messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines are a new type of vaccine to protect against infectious diseases. To trigger an immune response, many vaccines put a weakened or inactivated germ into our bodies. mRNA vaccines teach our cells how to make a protein-or even a piece of a protein-that triggers an immune response inside our bodies. That immune response, which produces antibodies, is what protects us from getting infected if the real virus enters our bodies.The combination of several factors made it possible to increase the speed of vaccine development.“The federal government’s commitment to a vaccine was spot-on, they overcame bureaucratic barriers towards important collaboration to efficiently move through each phase, allowing them to be ready,” said Dr. Reichmuth.The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory committee meetings are on a specific schedule and they don’t normally adjust that schedule, but because we are in a pandemic, these emergency meetings moved quicker.As cases were increasing so rapidly, separation and efficacy of the vaccine could be seen allowing the FDA to see safety data. It was easy to see the analysis in the interim and separation and efficacy in the vaccine allowing them to see what the FDA had set as the bar for achieving safety.“The mRNA vaccines does not alter our DNA and it does not cause infertility. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and Society of Maternal Fetal Medicine would not have endorsed this vaccine in reproductive age women if that was a concern, the COVID infection itself could cause infertility. Preventing the infection has multiple benefits, ” said Dr. Reichmuth.He added, “The concern about Bell’s Palsy is actively being monitored, we are about two million vaccinations and there have been no spikes. In the Pfizer trial, there were four cases of Bell’s Palsy in the vaccination group and none in the placebo group. In the Moderna trial, it was three in the vaccination group and one in the placebo group. The bottom-line is that is not outside of the normal realm of Bell’s Palsy we would see in the population of about 15-20 cases per 100,000 people. In the Pfizer trial, that’s four cases out of 22,000 patients in the vaccination group and that’s not outside of what we would see normally.”Reichmuth affirmed to-date, they have not seen cases of Guillain Barre Syndrome correlated with the vaccine and it continues to be actively monitored.A full recording of Dr. Reichmuth’s presentation can be found at:&nbsp;<a href="https://tinyurl.com/ycj7mf3a" target="_blank">https://tinyurl.com/ycj7mf3a</a>&nbsp;or on PPHD’s website at:&nbsp;<a href="http://pphd.org/COVID-19.html" target="_blank">http://pphd.org/COVID-19.html</a>. Please share with others to stay informed on important COVID vaccine updates.To date, 830 people in the eligible populations have received the COVID vaccine in the Panhandle. This number will continue to increase with each weekly distribution to the eligible populations at the corresponding times.Ten additional COVID-related deaths in the Panhandle are being reported. This brings the total deaths in the Panhandle to 114. The deaths are being announced as follows:<ul>
 <li>Grant County female in her 70s</li><li>Morrill County</li><li>Female in her 70s</li><li>Male in his 70s</li><li>Scotts Bluff County</li><li>One female in her 90s</li><li>Five males: one in his 70s, two in their 80s, two in their 90s</li><li>Sheridan County male in his 70s</li>
 </ul>“We share our sincerest sympathy with the friends and loved ones in the loss of our fellow Panhandle residents. We send you peace and comfort especially during this holiday season,” said Kim Engel, Panhandle Public Health District Director.Unified Command confirms 232 more cases of COVID in the Panhandle since last reporting on Monday, December 21. Recoveries are available on the Panhandle dashboard at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.pphd.org/" target="_blank">www.pphd.org</a>.&nbsp;The investigations are underway, all close contacts will be quarantined.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1609256345610.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>March 2-December 28, 2020<ul>
 <li>Total Tests Conducted: 29,950</li><li>Positive: 7,527</li><li>Last 14 days (active) cases: 464</li><li>Last week’s cases: 228</li><li>Last week’s positivity rate: 34.5%</li><li>Deaths: 114</li><li>Active Hospitalizations: 14</li><li>Total Cumulative Hospitalizations: 465</li><li>Doubling time (November 9-December 27): 48 days</li>
 </ul>Avoid the Three Cs:<ul>
 <li>Avoid Crowded Places – Avoid gathering in groups where you cannot maintain 6-feet of distance from others</li><li>Avoid Close Contact – Wear a mask over your nose and mouth or maintain 6-feet distance when you are spending more than 15 total minutes with people you don’t live with</li><li>Avoid Confined Spaces – Avoid enclosed spaces with poor ventilation</li>
 </ul>Current COVID testing access can be found at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.pphd.org/" target="_blank">www.pphd.org</a>.

PPHD: COVID vaccine science and facts, 10 more Panhandle deaths

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Health experts are worried that gatherings over the Christmas and New Year’s holidays could lead to a spike in new virus cases in Nebraska in the weeks ahead. 

CHI Health infectious disease Dr. David Quimby said he is particularly worried that New Year’s parties and public gatherings in bars could lead to more virus cases. 

The Douglas County Health Department is encouraging everyone to forego New Year’s parties to help limit the spread of the virus and continue wearing masks in public.

 Over the past two weeks, the average number of new cases reported each day has fallen from roughly 1,300 to 846 on Sunday.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Health experts are worried that gatherings over the Christmas and New Year’s holidays could lead to a spike in new virus cases in Nebraska in the weeks ahead. CHI Health infectious disease Dr. David Quimby said he is particularly worried that New Year’s parties and public gatherings in bars could lead to more virus cases. The Douglas County Health Department is encouraging everyone to forego New Year’s parties to help limit the spread of the virus and continue wearing masks in public. Over the past two weeks, the average number of new cases reported each day has fallen from roughly 1,300 to 846 on Sunday.

Health experts: Holiday gatherings may lead to virus spike

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska reported 637 new virus cases and no deaths Sunday, and the state had the 33rd highest rate of infection in the nation. 

The state’s numbers have been improving since early this month when Nebraska ranked had the fifth-highest rate of new cases in the nation.

 As of Sunday, the state has been averaging 679.69 new cases per 100,000 people in Nebraska over the past two weeks, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. 

Nebraska said 527 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 on Sunday. 

That was up from 503 the day before but still well below the peak of 987 set on Nov. 20.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska reported 637 new virus cases and no deaths Sunday, and the state had the 33rd highest rate of infection in the nation. The state’s numbers have been improving since early this month when Nebraska ranked had the fifth-highest rate of new cases in the nation. As of Sunday, the state has been averaging 679.69 new cases per 100,000 people in Nebraska over the past two weeks, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Nebraska said 527 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 on Sunday. That was up from 503 the day before but still well below the peak of 987 set on Nov. 20.

Nebraska reports 637 new virus cases, no deaths on Sunday

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The number of people hospitalized with the coronavirus in Nebraska is roughly half of the record of 987 set on Nov. 20. 

Nebraska said 503 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 Saturday, which was down slightly from 505 the day before.

 That number is down significantly since last month’s peak, but it remains more than twice as high as it was at the start of October. 

Nebraska reported just 175 new virus cases Saturday to give the state a total of 161,337 cases, but the Test Nebraska testing sites were closed on Christmas day. 

The state also reported 1,559 deaths linked to the virus.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The number of people hospitalized with the coronavirus in Nebraska is roughly half of the record of 987 set on Nov. 20. Nebraska said 503 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 Saturday, which was down slightly from 505 the day before. That number is down significantly since last month’s peak, but it remains more than twice as high as it was at the start of October. Nebraska reported just 175 new virus cases Saturday to give the state a total of 161,337 cases, but the Test Nebraska testing sites were closed on Christmas day. The state also reported 1,559 deaths linked to the virus.

Nebraska virus hospitalizations continue to decline

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. health officials believe the coronavirus mutation that set off alarms in parts of Britain is no more apt to cause serious illness or be resistant to vaccines than the strain afflicting people in the United States but it still must be taken “very seriously,” the government’s top infectious disease expert said Sunday.

Dr. Anthony Fauci endorsed the decision of U.S. officials to require negative COVID-19 tests before letting people from Britain enter the U.S. He declined to weigh in on whether that step should have been taken sooner. He said the variant strain is something “to follow very carefully” and “we’re looking at it very intensively now.”

He said: “Does it make someone more ill? Is it more serious virus in the sense of virulence? And the answer is, it doesn’t appear to be that way.” British officials are telling their U.S. colleagues it appears that the vaccines being rolled out will be strong enough to deal with the new variant but, Fauci said, “we’re going to be doing the studies ourselves.”

Fauci said the U.S. is at a critical phase of the pandemic, with the worst probably still ahead. He predicted the general population would be getting immunized widely by late March or early April — beyond the front-line workers, older people and certain other segments of the public given priority for the vaccines.

Fauci spoke on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1609155761906.png" alt="Dr. Anthony Fauci received the COVID-19 vaccine last week-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Anthony Fauci received the COVID-19 vaccine last week-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. health officials believe the coronavirus mutation that set off alarms in parts of Britain is no more apt to cause serious illness or be resistant to vaccines than the strain afflicting people in the United States but it still must be taken “very seriously,” the government’s top infectious disease expert said Sunday.Dr. Anthony Fauci endorsed the decision of U.S. officials to require negative COVID-19 tests before letting people from Britain enter the U.S. He declined to weigh in on whether that step should have been taken sooner. He said the variant strain is something “to follow very carefully” and “we’re looking at it very intensively now.”He said: “Does it make someone more ill? Is it more serious virus in the sense of virulence? And the answer is, it doesn’t appear to be that way.” British officials are telling their U.S. colleagues it appears that the vaccines being rolled out will be strong enough to deal with the new variant but, Fauci said, “we’re going to be doing the studies ourselves.”Fauci said the U.S. is at a critical phase of the pandemic, with the worst probably still ahead. He predicted the general population would be getting immunized widely by late March or early April — beyond the front-line workers, older people and certain other segments of the public given priority for the vaccines.Fauci spoke on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

Fauci: US taking hard look at variant of coronavirus

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska further relaxed the state’s social distancing restrictions because the number of people hospitalized with the coronavirus has continued to decline.

 Gov. Pete Ricketts said Wednesday that the rules would be eased because less than 15% of the state’s hospital beds have been occupied by virus patients over the past week, on average. 

The new rules that take effect Thursday will allow indoor gatherings up to 75% of a building’s capacity, up from 50% now, and the restrictions on elective surgeries will also be lifted. 

Rules requiring people at bars and restaurants to remain seated will also be eliminated.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska further relaxed the state’s social distancing restrictions because the number of people hospitalized with the coronavirus has continued to decline. Gov. Pete Ricketts said Wednesday that the rules would be eased because less than 15% of the state’s hospital beds have been occupied by virus patients over the past week, on average. The new rules that take effect Thursday will allow indoor gatherings up to 75% of a building’s capacity, up from 50% now, and the restrictions on elective surgeries will also be lifted. Rules requiring people at bars and restaurants to remain seated will also be eliminated.

Nebraska relaxes virus restrictions as hospitalizations fall

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — Officials in central Nebraska are worried that next spring’s sandhill crane viewing season will be disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic just like this year’s was and hurt the area’s economy.

 The annual migration of sandhill cranes across central Nebraska normally draws thousands of visitors to the area who want to see the birds gather along the Platte River in the midst of their annual migration.

 Kearney Visitor Bureau Executive Director Roger Jasnoch told the Kearney Hub that there is little demand for the hotel rooms in the area that visitors normally fill.

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — Officials in central Nebraska are worried that next spring’s sandhill crane viewing season will be disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic just like this year’s was and hurt the area’s economy. The annual migration of sandhill cranes across central Nebraska normally draws thousands of visitors to the area who want to see the birds gather along the Platte River in the midst of their annual migration. Kearney Visitor Bureau Executive Director Roger Jasnoch told the Kearney Hub that there is little demand for the hotel rooms in the area that visitors normally fill.

Pandemic threatens sandhill crane viewing season in Nebraska

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - U.S. factories have been cranking out goods during much of the pandemic at rates that are remarkably close to normal. However, manufacturers are concerned they may not be able to keep pace until most of the country is vaccinated because the coronavirus continues to surge in areas where many plants are based.

Safeguards that were put in place after the initial wave of the virus appear to have prevented the large outbreaks that sickened hundreds of workers and forced automakers, meat processors and other businesses to halt production last spring. But with the nation's COVID-19 death toll eclipsing 300,000 and the virus spiking in communities that surround the plants, industry and union officials say it may be impossible to keep the virus out of factories.

"We are seeing an increase in the number of positive (test) rates like you're seeing in the surrounding communities," said Gary Johnson, chief manufacturing officer at Ford Motor Co., which has about 56,000 hourly factory workers nationwide.

Federal Reserve statistics show that U.S. industrial output is about 5% below levels in February, before the pandemic hit. It fell by 16.5% between February and April but has rebounded since, led by auto manufacturing.

Beef and pork production have both been running just below last year's levels, Iowa State University agricultural economist Lee Schulz said.

But as it will be months before many people will be able to get vaccinated, factories will remain vulnerable.

"Even though we are doing OK now, this virus can spread rapidly in areas," said Mark Lauritsen, director of the food processing and meatpacking division for the United Food and Commercial Workers International union. "I worry every day that this virus will explode in one of our plants again, even with all the precautions that we've taken."

At auto plants and factories in other industries where the United Auto Workers union represents workers, cases have risen slightly since around Halloween, but nearly all have been traced to outside of the plants, said UAW President Rory Gamble.

Since reopening in May after an eight-week shutdown, three workers from Fiat Chrysler factories near Detroit have died from the virus, raising fear among thousands of workers.

Gamble said much of the fear has come from misinformation about workers catching the virus in factories, which is not true.

"They need to have a complete understanding that we're doing everything we can to keep them safe," Gamble said. "Because they have a right to be afraid."

The statistics on the pandemic's impact on the meatpacking industry offer plenty of reason to worry. The UFCW union, which represents roughly 80% of the nation's beef and pork workers and 33% of its poultry workers, estimates that at least 19,800 meatpacking workers have been infected or exposed and 128 have died of COVID-19.

Employees such as Donald Nix, who works at a Tyson Foods pork processing plant in Waterloo, Iowa, agonizes about the virus that sidelined him for 27 days in the spring with a fever, body aches and severe headaches.

Nix, 51, is concerned because co-workers keep getting sick. During the spring, more than 1,000 of the plant's 2,800 workers were infected and at least six died. "My workplace is still high risk. My job is still high risk," he said.

But the giants of the meat industry - Tyson Foods, Smithfield Foods, JBS and Cargill - contend that the safety measures that were put in place after the major outbreaks last spring have enabled them to limit the spread of the virus.

"We made substantial investments in personal protective equipment, social distancing safeguards, and other increased health and safety measures across our business. We've seen a dramatic reduction in active cases involving our team members since last spring," Tyson CEO Dean Banks recently told investors.

Measures include wellness questionnaires before work, temperature checks, plastic screens between work stations, increased cleaning of the plants, random testing, and the required use of masks and other protective equipment. The industry spent roughly $2.5 billion on those improvements and additional pay for workers in the first six months, said Will Sawyer, a protein economist at Cobank, an agribusiness bank.

At Ford, factories are operating at about 98% of their pre-pandemic production. Most workers who have symptoms or have been exposed to the virus stay home until the danger of infecting others has passed, limiting its spread in the plants, Johnson said. The automaker hires temporary workers to take their place, allowing it to keep assembly lines running.

Auto and meatpacking companies say generally less than 1% of their workforces are catching the virus. Automakers and the UAW are urging workers to wear masks in public outside the plants.

Members of the UAW, which represents 150,000 workers employed by General Motors, Ford and Fiat Chrysler, said the companies largely have stuck to their precautions and protocols.

"I know of people who have had it and tested positive, but as far as I know, they're doing what they're supposed to as far as quarantining and getting people tested," said Andrea Repasky a forklift operator at GM's pickup truck factory in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

People she passes at the plant always wear protective gear correctly, she said. Management posts how many people test positive on each shift, and the numbers have been relatively small, even with a minor surge after Thanksgiving, she said.

Ford, General Motors, Toyota and others are starting to see minor problems with smaller parts companies having to shut down factories due to virus outbreaks or government restrictions, especially in Mexico. Ford's Johnson said a truck driver shortage is affecting parts deliveries. The company has lined up just-in-time freight to get parts to keep plants running, he said.

Ford had to delay production of its new Bronco SUV from spring until summer because of virus-related parts shortages that the company wouldn't specify.

Toyota said it has come close to halting assembly lines due to a lack of parts, but so far has managed to avoid it.

"There have been a few close calls for sure," said spokesman Scott Vazin. "Any given day, we've got up to 10 parts we're closely monitoring on red alert."

The UFCW's Lauritsen said he hopes the industry will continue working hard to limit the spread of the virus.

"We can't get complacent just because things seem to be holding right now," Lauritsen said. "We know that plants of any kind - anytime people get together in large groups - can act as a super spreader with this virus."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608949346276.jpg" alt="Photo courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOSH FUNK-Associated Press OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - U.S. factories have been cranking out goods during much of the pandemic at rates that are remarkably close to normal. However, manufacturers are concerned they may not be able to keep pace until most of the country is vaccinated because the coronavirus continues to surge in areas where many plants are based.Safeguards that were put in place after the initial wave of the virus appear to have prevented the large outbreaks that sickened hundreds of workers and forced automakers, meat processors and other businesses to halt production last spring. But with the nation's COVID-19 death toll eclipsing 300,000 and the virus spiking in communities that surround the plants, industry and union officials say it may be impossible to keep the virus out of factories."We are seeing an increase in the number of positive (test) rates like you're seeing in the surrounding communities," said Gary Johnson, chief manufacturing officer at Ford Motor Co., which has about 56,000 hourly factory workers nationwide.Federal Reserve statistics show that U.S. industrial output is about 5% below levels in February, before the pandemic hit. It fell by 16.5% between February and April but has rebounded since, led by auto manufacturing.Beef and pork production have both been running just below last year's levels, Iowa State University agricultural economist Lee Schulz said.But as it will be months before many people will be able to get vaccinated, factories will remain vulnerable."Even though we are doing OK now, this virus can spread rapidly in areas," said Mark Lauritsen, director of the food processing and meatpacking division for the United Food and Commercial Workers International union. "I worry every day that this virus will explode in one of our plants again, even with all the precautions that we've taken."At auto plants and factories in other industries where the United Auto Workers union represents workers, cases have risen slightly since around Halloween, but nearly all have been traced to outside of the plants, said UAW President Rory Gamble.Since reopening in May after an eight-week shutdown, three workers from Fiat Chrysler factories near Detroit have died from the virus, raising fear among thousands of workers.Gamble said much of the fear has come from misinformation about workers catching the virus in factories, which is not true."They need to have a complete understanding that we're doing everything we can to keep them safe," Gamble said. "Because they have a right to be afraid."The statistics on the pandemic's impact on the meatpacking industry offer plenty of reason to worry. The UFCW union, which represents roughly 80% of the nation's beef and pork workers and 33% of its poultry workers, estimates that at least 19,800 meatpacking workers have been infected or exposed and 128 have died of COVID-19.Employees such as Donald Nix, who works at a Tyson Foods pork processing plant in Waterloo, Iowa, agonizes about the virus that sidelined him for 27 days in the spring with a fever, body aches and severe headaches.Nix, 51, is concerned because co-workers keep getting sick. During the spring, more than 1,000 of the plant's 2,800 workers were infected and at least six died. "My workplace is still high risk. My job is still high risk," he said.But the giants of the meat industry - Tyson Foods, Smithfield Foods, JBS and Cargill - contend that the safety measures that were put in place after the major outbreaks last spring have enabled them to limit the spread of the virus."We made substantial investments in personal protective equipment, social distancing safeguards, and other increased health and safety measures across our business. We've seen a dramatic reduction in active cases involving our team members since last spring," Tyson CEO Dean Banks recently told investors.Measures include wellness questionnaires before work, temperature checks, plastic screens between work stations, increased cleaning of the plants, random testing, and the required use of masks and other protective equipment. The industry spent roughly $2.5 billion on those improvements and additional pay for workers in the first six months, said Will Sawyer, a protein economist at Cobank, an agribusiness bank.At Ford, factories are operating at about 98% of their pre-pandemic production. Most workers who have symptoms or have been exposed to the virus stay home until the danger of infecting others has passed, limiting its spread in the plants, Johnson said. The automaker hires temporary workers to take their place, allowing it to keep assembly lines running.Auto and meatpacking companies say generally less than 1% of their workforces are catching the virus. Automakers and the UAW are urging workers to wear masks in public outside the plants.Members of the UAW, which represents 150,000 workers employed by General Motors, Ford and Fiat Chrysler, said the companies largely have stuck to their precautions and protocols."I know of people who have had it and tested positive, but as far as I know, they're doing what they're supposed to as far as quarantining and getting people tested," said Andrea Repasky a forklift operator at GM's pickup truck factory in Fort Wayne, Indiana.People she passes at the plant always wear protective gear correctly, she said. Management posts how many people test positive on each shift, and the numbers have been relatively small, even with a minor surge after Thanksgiving, she said.Ford, General Motors, Toyota and others are starting to see minor problems with smaller parts companies having to shut down factories due to virus outbreaks or government restrictions, especially in Mexico. Ford's Johnson said a truck driver shortage is affecting parts deliveries. The company has lined up just-in-time freight to get parts to keep plants running, he said.Ford had to delay production of its new Bronco SUV from spring until summer because of virus-related parts shortages that the company wouldn't specify.Toyota said it has come close to halting assembly lines due to a lack of parts, but so far has managed to avoid it."There have been a few close calls for sure," said spokesman Scott Vazin. "Any given day, we've got up to 10 parts we're closely monitoring on red alert."The UFCW's Lauritsen said he hopes the industry will continue working hard to limit the spread of the virus."We can't get complacent just because things seem to be holding right now," Lauritsen said. "We know that plants of any kind - anytime people get together in large groups - can act as a super spreader with this virus."

US plants hope to maintain production despite virus threat

Hot Springs, SD — Community spread continues to improve in Fall River County. Fall RiverHealth Services continues to remain ready to confront the COVID-19 virus, meet the healthcare needs of our patients, andprotect our communities from the spread of the disease. FRHS has received a limited supply of Moderna COVID-19vaccine. These doses are being offered to Phase 1A and 1C employees at FRHS, Pine Hills, and SVH, with priority given to the 1A employees. Weekly supplies of vaccine are being anticipated, and FRHS will be working to provide vaccinations to other Phase 1C individuals in the community, but likely not until mid- January.

The State Department of Health (DOH) is in charge of determining when other groups will be offered the vaccine and when FRHS will be able to provide it to the public (Phase 1D.) We recommend those who are identified as Phase 1D continue to pay attention to communications from the Department of Health and Fall River Health Services for more information as it becomes available.

Today, FRHS provided the first Moderna dose of vaccine to FRHS frontline employees and the State Veterans Home employees. FRHS, JoAnn Norton, RN, stated, “I am a firm believer in vaccines, and I practice what I preach. I want to see an end to COVID, and this is the beginning to the end.” Michelle Gross, RN, from the State Veterans Home, received her dose of Moderna. “I was very anxious to receive the vaccine. I want to do my part in putting this pandemic to an end and this gives me comfort that we are getting that done.”

While FRHS is excited to provide the Moderna vaccine, FRHS also has Remdesivir and Bamlanivumab available for their community. Remdesivir is an anti-viral medication that may be given to patients who require hospitalization for COVID19; Bamlanivumab is a monoclonal antibody that ‘neutralizes’ the virus and may be given early in the disease process. Studies have shown when Bamlanivumab is given w/in 10 days of COVID symptoms, ER visits and hospitalizations are decreased.

As you plan your holiday visits and travel, FRHS encourages everyone to continue to take COVID precautions to stay safe and healthy. FRHS reminds their community of their curbside COVID testing and provides information on the Free at-home COVID-19 testing at <a href="http://www.frhssd.org/covid">www.frhssd.org/covid</a>.

Hot Springs, SD — Community spread continues to improve in Fall River County. Fall RiverHealth Services continues to remain ready to confront the COVID-19 virus, meet the healthcare needs of our patients, andprotect our communities from the spread of the disease. FRHS has received a limited supply of Moderna COVID-19vaccine. These doses are being offered to Phase 1A and 1C employees at FRHS, Pine Hills, and SVH, with priority given to the 1A employees. Weekly supplies of vaccine are being anticipated, and FRHS will be working to provide vaccinations to other Phase 1C individuals in the community, but likely not until mid- January.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608750512236.jpeg" alt="Michelle Goss, RN receives the vaccine" />
 <figcaption>Michelle Goss, RN receives the vaccine</figcaption>
 </figure>The State Department of Health (DOH) is in charge of determining when other groups will be offered the vaccine and when FRHS will be able to provide it to the public (Phase 1D.) We recommend those who are identified as Phase 1D continue to pay attention to communications from the Department of Health and Fall River Health Services for more information as it becomes available.Today, FRHS provided the first Moderna dose of vaccine to FRHS frontline employees and the State Veterans Home employees. FRHS, JoAnn Norton, RN, stated, “I am a firm believer in vaccines, and I practice what I preach. I want to see an end to COVID, and this is the beginning to the end.” Michelle Gross, RN, from the State Veterans Home, received her dose of Moderna. “I was very anxious to receive the vaccine. I want to do my part in putting this pandemic to an end and this gives me comfort that we are getting that done.”While FRHS is excited to provide the Moderna vaccine, FRHS also has Remdesivir and Bamlanivumab available for their community. Remdesivir is an anti-viral medication that may be given to patients who require hospitalization for COVID19; Bamlanivumab is a monoclonal antibody that ‘neutralizes’ the virus and may be given early in the disease process. Studies have shown when Bamlanivumab is given w/in 10 days of COVID symptoms, ER visits and hospitalizations are decreased.As you plan your holiday visits and travel, FRHS encourages everyone to continue to take COVID precautions to stay safe and healthy. FRHS reminds their community of their curbside COVID testing and provides information on the Free at-home COVID-19 testing at <a href="http://www.frhssd.org/covid">www.frhssd.org/covid</a>.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1608750573705.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Fall River Health Services receives 100 doses of Moderna vaccine

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska may soon relax its social distancing restrictions again because the number of people hospitalized with the coronavirus has continued to decline. 

Gov. Pete Ricketts has said he will relax those restrictions if there are consistently less than 15% of the state’s hospital beds occupied by virus patients.

 Currently, 14% of Nebraska’s staffed hospital beds are occupied by COVID-19 patients, and that number has remained below 15% for six days in a row. 

The state said the number of people being treated in hospitals declined again Tuesday to 566 from the previous day’s 582.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska may soon relax its social distancing restrictions again because the number of people hospitalized with the coronavirus has continued to decline. Gov. Pete Ricketts has said he will relax those restrictions if there are consistently less than 15% of the state’s hospital beds occupied by virus patients. Currently, 14% of Nebraska’s staffed hospital beds are occupied by COVID-19 patients, and that number has remained below 15% for six days in a row. The state said the number of people being treated in hospitals declined again Tuesday to 566 from the previous day’s 582. That total remains well below the record of 987 set on Nov. 20.

Coronavirus Update