LINCOLN –&nbsp;Two new COVID-19 related deaths were reported Thursday, and two new counties – Greeley and Sherman – reported their first COVID-19 cases.

One death was a Hall County resident in his 60s –&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA0MjQuMjA1ODE5ODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5mYWNlYm9vay5jb20vY2RoZC5uZS5nb3YifQ.rKr2drSNAxb8pEnYMC8ChdIY0pD2Nm9IcRz0SsDmae0%2Fbr%2F77790374647-l&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ctaylor.gage%40nebraska.gov%7Cae339944fd8c438b9b0908d7e7f579ad%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637232913801457678&amp;sdata=G4sg1TzhD9VA%2FgPosbSXJbKWmDepuSxaEfXjvyo8K%2B4%3D&amp;reserved=0">https://www.facebook.com/cdhd.ne.gov</a>.

A second death occurred in Nebraska; further information will be forthcoming.

The Greeley case is a male in his 50s, while the Sherman case is a female in her 20s. Both were reported by the Loup Basin Public Health&nbsp;Department.&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA0MjQuMjA1ODE5ODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5mYWNlYm9vay5jb20vbGJwaGQub3JnLyJ9.gnmjYwDHhAF3Z4pGYRx1Pi57C2piL4CJqBZo0NXYSTw%2Fbr%2F77790374647-l&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ctaylor.gage%40nebraska.gov%7Cae339944fd8c438b9b0908d7e7f579ad%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637232913801462656&amp;sdata=vRBCsT8N8BgZhuiOlTi874Vjm1by6QMRgYfymnQ1QhY%3D&amp;reserved=0">https://www.facebook.com/lbphd.org/</a>

Local health departments are reporting deaths and cases in their jurisdictions. In the event of a discrepancy between DHHS dashboard data&nbsp;and deaths or cases reported by local public health officials, data reported by the local health department should be considered the most up to date.

The total number of COVID-19-related deaths in the state to date is 47, according to the DHHS data dashboard. Today’s state case total, as&nbsp;of 5:45 pm Central Daylight Time, is 2,124. Nebraska’s COVID-19 case totals are updated daily at&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA0MjQuMjA1ODE5ODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vZGhocy5uZS5nb3YvY29yb25hdmlydXMifQ.KBz4CHhXpCjNXcsysMxq4kULHGB4MSHO6Swat3qHKB8%2Fbr%2F77790374647-l&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ctaylor.gage%40nebraska.gov%7Cae339944fd8c438b9b0908d7e7f579ad%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637232913801467633&amp;sdata=TVheQOZP8Frf88bi1Vq4zxLp1%2B5k9mBEEHp9KWb3Uv4%3D&amp;reserved=0">http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus</a>.&nbsp;

All 93 Nebraska counties are now covered by state Directed Health Measures (DHMs).&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA0MjQuMjA1ODE5ODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vZGhocy5uZS5nb3YvY29yb25hdmlydXMifQ.siH7XOqIqD5zE0mL6TaQwhNmwuDEVBD-eQ_xzVN3Bfw%2Fbr%2F77790374647-l&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ctaylor.gage%40nebraska.gov%7Cae339944fd8c438b9b0908d7e7f579ad%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637232913801472610&amp;sdata=j7l1GL%2BsWxaCn4JAUqr3Svyn%2BixLStmEYRYBqLE5OC0%3D&amp;reserved=0">http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus</a>. It's critical that Nebraskans follow these enforceable state Directed Health Measures to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in the state. These measures help protect each other and those who&nbsp;are more vulnerable to severe illness and death, and help hospitals and clinics from being overwhelmed so they can continue to provide care to families, friends and neighbors who need it.

In addition to the state-issued DHM, some Local Health Departments have issued additional restrictions -&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDQsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA0MjQuMjA1ODE5ODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vZGhocy5uZS5nb3YvUGFnZXMvQ09WSUQtMTktRGlyZWN0ZWQtSGVhbHRoLU1lYXN1cmVzLmFzcHgifQ.bUCWw6XWqgvUlEw0TruDVSDtBQ48uWQ-zQ9ztQbzjXs%2Fbr%2F77790374647-l&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ctaylor.gage%40nebraska.gov%7Cae339944fd8c438b9b0908d7e7f579ad%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637232913801477587&amp;sdata=1Qxww8dXoLoFay78itNwnBTXMYNNEpdDJwqVL0kLGGw%3D&amp;reserved=0">http://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/COVID-19-Directed-Health-Measures.aspx</a>

Governor Pete Ricketts recently unveiled&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDUsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA0MjQuMjA1ODE5ODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy50ZXN0bmVicmFza2EuY29tLyJ9.h3tvMzC0g3-3LOcc7sp_5bgCkL5tw-urSOYP5M-FaJw%2Fbr%2F77790374647-l&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ctaylor.gage%40nebraska.gov%7Cae339944fd8c438b9b0908d7e7f579ad%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637232913801482567&amp;sdata=OiymWKK8B2oSnPiQVZf%2F8q1gmC8gS36FUopeSPTVCEk%3D&amp;reserved=0">TestNebraska</a>, a public-private partnership designed to increase testing capacity and #CrushTheCurve in Nebraska. The Governor is urging all Nebraskans to take the assessment provided on the TestNebraska website to help&nbsp;identify cases of COVID-19 in the state. After taking the assessment participants who fit the criteria will be notified via phone or email that they qualify to be tested for COVID-19. Nebraskans can take the assessment at&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDYsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA0MjQuMjA1ODE5ODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy50ZXN0bmVicmFza2EuY29tLyJ9.2pgN_M3tyk6WpZvnRI9WOpoP5MdDbpITITiWXCtRZt4%2Fbr%2F77790374647-l&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ctaylor.gage%40nebraska.gov%7Cae339944fd8c438b9b0908d7e7f579ad%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637232913801487545&amp;sdata=Afg0gH9HDWaId4T%2FsKkljDHZmNT9dm4CBSgpH4keMCU%3D&amp;reserved=0">https://www.testnebraska.com/</a>

DHHS supports Governor Ricketts in urging Nebraskans to follow the&nbsp;Six Rules to Keep Nebraska Healthy.&nbsp;

Recent studies show that a significant portion of people with COVID-19 lack symptoms and those who eventually develop symptoms can pass the&nbsp;virus to others before showing symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC now recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (grocery stores,&nbsp;pharmacies, etc.) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission -&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDcsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA0MjQuMjA1ODE5ODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5jZGMuZ292L2Nvcm9uYXZpcnVzLzIwMTktbmNvdi9wcmV2ZW50LWdldHRpbmctc2ljay9jbG90aC1mYWNlLWNvdmVyLWZhcS5odG1sIn0.Epl6iEF7yr8MPSqyxDVj-F_Tb1pyRZ0Z1-asMopL2FU%2Fbr%2F77790374647-l&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ctaylor.gage%40nebraska.gov%7Cae339944fd8c438b9b0908d7e7f579ad%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637232913801492520&amp;sdata=OhBXKNqd3Ql7tGBOz0c9LmRhZAt1k04%2F7iuiN0%2FbmNk%3D&amp;reserved=0">https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-faq.html</a>.

Cloth face coverings are not a substitute for social distancing. Public health officials continue to emphasize that maintaining 6-feet social&nbsp;distancing is crucial to slowing the spread of the virus.

Here's where to find tools and resources for individuals and families, schools, communities, businesses, healthcare facilities, and first&nbsp;responders on the DHHS website -&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDgsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA0MjQuMjA1ODE5ODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vZGhocy5uZS5nb3YvY29yb25hdmlydXMifQ.ldMYWLd-CP0w6jZJHe980M5Dgd1af-HofuTph0fIjpU%2Fbr%2F77790374647-l&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ctaylor.gage%40nebraska.gov%7Cae339944fd8c438b9b0908d7e7f579ad%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637232913801497498&amp;sdata=xhtwSmR7r%2BO9N2z6Zn0o8YiA0EW8s50BvedjrX18ro4%3D&amp;reserved=0">http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus</a>&nbsp;and CDC's website –&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDksInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA0MjQuMjA1ODE5ODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5jZGMuZ292L2NvdmlkMTkifQ._PZp_MqQ-OdUbrQtxrzPd7x7pZHzN5E2cMx8CmvjYYQ%2Fbr%2F77790374647-l&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ctaylor.gage%40nebraska.gov%7Cae339944fd8c438b9b0908d7e7f579ad%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637232913801502476&amp;sdata=OXOm7xYzlnjUfLe3sH9b%2FDB61vW0GcvN%2FRJDUWpZdWY%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://www.cdc.gov/covid19&nbsp;</a>.

DHHS opened a statewide COVID-19 information line to help answer general questions and share the latest information and resources with Nebraskans&nbsp;to help keep them informed. The number is&nbsp;<a href="tel:+14025526645">(402) 552-6645</a>; hours of operation are 8 a.m.-8 p.m. CDT, 7 days a week.

DHHS will continue to update Nebraskans through the DHHS website and on Facebook and Twitter as we have new information. The CDC's website&nbsp;is also a good resource for COVID-19 information -&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA0MjQuMjA1ODE5ODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5jZGMuZ292L2NvdmlkMTkifQ.xGqJ2-mOqeVv_HVTbBk5G03kSxyeA86Abqjk6m0EpGk%2Fbr%2F77790374647-l&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ctaylor.gage%40nebraska.gov%7Cae339944fd8c438b9b0908d7e7f579ad%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637232913801502476&amp;sdata=oK%2Btwn90AoPAQnKKv%2BnOINdpJTy%2F56oXEVi%2Byd7wzW8%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://www.cdc.gov/covid19&nbsp;</a>.

LINCOLN –&nbsp;Two new COVID-19 related deaths were reported Thursday, and two new counties – Greeley and Sherman – reported their first COVID-19 cases.One death was a Hall County resident in his 60s –&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA0MjQuMjA1ODE5ODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5mYWNlYm9vay5jb20vY2RoZC5uZS5nb3YifQ.rKr2drSNAxb8pEnYMC8ChdIY0pD2Nm9IcRz0SsDmae0%2Fbr%2F77790374647-l&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ctaylor.gage%40nebraska.gov%7Cae339944fd8c438b9b0908d7e7f579ad%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637232913801457678&amp;sdata=G4sg1TzhD9VA%2FgPosbSXJbKWmDepuSxaEfXjvyo8K%2B4%3D&amp;reserved=0">https://www.facebook.com/cdhd.ne.gov</a>.A second death occurred in Nebraska; further information will be forthcoming.The Greeley case is a male in his 50s, while the Sherman case is a female in her 20s. Both were reported by the Loup Basin Public Health&nbsp;Department.&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA0MjQuMjA1ODE5ODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5mYWNlYm9vay5jb20vbGJwaGQub3JnLyJ9.gnmjYwDHhAF3Z4pGYRx1Pi57C2piL4CJqBZo0NXYSTw%2Fbr%2F77790374647-l&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ctaylor.gage%40nebraska.gov%7Cae339944fd8c438b9b0908d7e7f579ad%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637232913801462656&amp;sdata=vRBCsT8N8BgZhuiOlTi874Vjm1by6QMRgYfymnQ1QhY%3D&amp;reserved=0">https://www.facebook.com/lbphd.org/</a>Local health departments are reporting deaths and cases in their jurisdictions. In the event of a discrepancy between DHHS dashboard data&nbsp;and deaths or cases reported by local public health officials, data reported by the local health department should be considered the most up to date.The total number of COVID-19-related deaths in the state to date is 47, according to the DHHS data dashboard. Today’s state case total, as&nbsp;of 5:45 pm Central Daylight Time, is 2,124. Nebraska’s COVID-19 case totals are updated daily at&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA0MjQuMjA1ODE5ODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vZGhocy5uZS5nb3YvY29yb25hdmlydXMifQ.KBz4CHhXpCjNXcsysMxq4kULHGB4MSHO6Swat3qHKB8%2Fbr%2F77790374647-l&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ctaylor.gage%40nebraska.gov%7Cae339944fd8c438b9b0908d7e7f579ad%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637232913801467633&amp;sdata=TVheQOZP8Frf88bi1Vq4zxLp1%2B5k9mBEEHp9KWb3Uv4%3D&amp;reserved=0">http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus</a>.&nbsp;All 93 Nebraska counties are now covered by state Directed Health Measures (DHMs).&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA0MjQuMjA1ODE5ODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vZGhocy5uZS5nb3YvY29yb25hdmlydXMifQ.siH7XOqIqD5zE0mL6TaQwhNmwuDEVBD-eQ_xzVN3Bfw%2Fbr%2F77790374647-l&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ctaylor.gage%40nebraska.gov%7Cae339944fd8c438b9b0908d7e7f579ad%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637232913801472610&amp;sdata=j7l1GL%2BsWxaCn4JAUqr3Svyn%2BixLStmEYRYBqLE5OC0%3D&amp;reserved=0">http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus</a>. It's critical that Nebraskans follow these enforceable state Directed Health Measures to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in the state. These measures help protect each other and those who&nbsp;are more vulnerable to severe illness and death, and help hospitals and clinics from being overwhelmed so they can continue to provide care to families, friends and neighbors who need it.In addition to the state-issued DHM, some Local Health Departments have issued additional restrictions -&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDQsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA0MjQuMjA1ODE5ODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vZGhocy5uZS5nb3YvUGFnZXMvQ09WSUQtMTktRGlyZWN0ZWQtSGVhbHRoLU1lYXN1cmVzLmFzcHgifQ.bUCWw6XWqgvUlEw0TruDVSDtBQ48uWQ-zQ9ztQbzjXs%2Fbr%2F77790374647-l&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ctaylor.gage%40nebraska.gov%7Cae339944fd8c438b9b0908d7e7f579ad%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637232913801477587&amp;sdata=1Qxww8dXoLoFay78itNwnBTXMYNNEpdDJwqVL0kLGGw%3D&amp;reserved=0">http://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/COVID-19-Directed-Health-Measures.aspx</a>Governor Pete Ricketts recently unveiled&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDUsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA0MjQuMjA1ODE5ODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy50ZXN0bmVicmFza2EuY29tLyJ9.h3tvMzC0g3-3LOcc7sp_5bgCkL5tw-urSOYP5M-FaJw%2Fbr%2F77790374647-l&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ctaylor.gage%40nebraska.gov%7Cae339944fd8c438b9b0908d7e7f579ad%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637232913801482567&amp;sdata=OiymWKK8B2oSnPiQVZf%2F8q1gmC8gS36FUopeSPTVCEk%3D&amp;reserved=0">TestNebraska</a>, a public-private partnership designed to increase testing capacity and #CrushTheCurve in Nebraska. The Governor is urging all Nebraskans to take the assessment provided on the TestNebraska website to help&nbsp;identify cases of COVID-19 in the state. After taking the assessment participants who fit the criteria will be notified via phone or email that they qualify to be tested for COVID-19. Nebraskans can take the assessment at&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDYsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA0MjQuMjA1ODE5ODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy50ZXN0bmVicmFza2EuY29tLyJ9.2pgN_M3tyk6WpZvnRI9WOpoP5MdDbpITITiWXCtRZt4%2Fbr%2F77790374647-l&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ctaylor.gage%40nebraska.gov%7Cae339944fd8c438b9b0908d7e7f579ad%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637232913801487545&amp;sdata=Afg0gH9HDWaId4T%2FsKkljDHZmNT9dm4CBSgpH4keMCU%3D&amp;reserved=0">https://www.testnebraska.com/</a>DHHS supports Governor Ricketts in urging Nebraskans to follow the&nbsp;Six Rules to Keep Nebraska Healthy.&nbsp;<ol>
 <li>Stay home.&nbsp;No non-essential&nbsp;errands and no social gatherings. Respect the ten-person limits.</li><li>Socially distance your work.&nbsp;Work from home or use the six-foot rule as much as possible in the workplace.&nbsp;</li><li>Shop alone. Do this only&nbsp;once a week and do not take your family with you.</li><li>Help kids social distance.&nbsp;Play at home, no group sports and no playgrounds.</li><li>Help seniors stay at home.&nbsp;This can be done by shopping for them. Do not visit long-term facilities.&nbsp;</li><li>Exercise daily. Do your&nbsp;best to stay as healthy and safe as you can. &nbsp;</li>
 </ol>Recent studies show that a significant portion of people with COVID-19 lack symptoms and those who eventually develop symptoms can pass the&nbsp;virus to others before showing symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC now recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (grocery stores,&nbsp;pharmacies, etc.) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission -&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDcsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA0MjQuMjA1ODE5ODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5jZGMuZ292L2Nvcm9uYXZpcnVzLzIwMTktbmNvdi9wcmV2ZW50LWdldHRpbmctc2ljay9jbG90aC1mYWNlLWNvdmVyLWZhcS5odG1sIn0.Epl6iEF7yr8MPSqyxDVj-F_Tb1pyRZ0Z1-asMopL2FU%2Fbr%2F77790374647-l&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ctaylor.gage%40nebraska.gov%7Cae339944fd8c438b9b0908d7e7f579ad%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637232913801492520&amp;sdata=OhBXKNqd3Ql7tGBOz0c9LmRhZAt1k04%2F7iuiN0%2FbmNk%3D&amp;reserved=0">https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-faq.html</a>.Cloth face coverings are not a substitute for social distancing. Public health officials continue to emphasize that maintaining 6-feet social&nbsp;distancing is crucial to slowing the spread of the virus.Here's where to find tools and resources for individuals and families, schools, communities, businesses, healthcare facilities, and first&nbsp;responders on the DHHS website -&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDgsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA0MjQuMjA1ODE5ODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vZGhocy5uZS5nb3YvY29yb25hdmlydXMifQ.ldMYWLd-CP0w6jZJHe980M5Dgd1af-HofuTph0fIjpU%2Fbr%2F77790374647-l&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ctaylor.gage%40nebraska.gov%7Cae339944fd8c438b9b0908d7e7f579ad%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637232913801497498&amp;sdata=xhtwSmR7r%2BO9N2z6Zn0o8YiA0EW8s50BvedjrX18ro4%3D&amp;reserved=0">http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus</a>&nbsp;and CDC's website –&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDksInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA0MjQuMjA1ODE5ODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5jZGMuZ292L2NvdmlkMTkifQ._PZp_MqQ-OdUbrQtxrzPd7x7pZHzN5E2cMx8CmvjYYQ%2Fbr%2F77790374647-l&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ctaylor.gage%40nebraska.gov%7Cae339944fd8c438b9b0908d7e7f579ad%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637232913801502476&amp;sdata=OXOm7xYzlnjUfLe3sH9b%2FDB61vW0GcvN%2FRJDUWpZdWY%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://www.cdc.gov/covid19&nbsp;</a>.DHHS opened a statewide COVID-19 information line to help answer general questions and share the latest information and resources with Nebraskans&nbsp;to help keep them informed. The number is&nbsp;<a href="tel:+14025526645">(402) 552-6645</a>; hours of operation are 8 a.m.-8 p.m. CDT, 7 days a week.DHHS will continue to update Nebraskans through the DHHS website and on Facebook and Twitter as we have new information. The CDC's website&nbsp;is also a good resource for COVID-19 information -&nbsp;<a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flnks.gd%2Fl%2FeyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMDA0MjQuMjA1ODE5ODEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5jZGMuZ292L2NvdmlkMTkifQ.xGqJ2-mOqeVv_HVTbBk5G03kSxyeA86Abqjk6m0EpGk%2Fbr%2F77790374647-l&amp;data=02%7C01%7Ctaylor.gage%40nebraska.gov%7Cae339944fd8c438b9b0908d7e7f579ad%7C043207dfe6894bf6902001038f11f0b1%7C0%7C0%7C637232913801502476&amp;sdata=oK%2Btwn90AoPAQnKKv%2BnOINdpJTy%2F56oXEVi%2Byd7wzW8%3D&amp;reserved=0" target="_blank">https://www.cdc.gov/covid19&nbsp;</a>.

Two more COVID-19 related deaths reported 

LINCOLN, Neb. (Lincoln Journal Star) — Doctors, nurses and administrators at a Nebraska hospital cheered as a 91-year-old woman was wheeled out of a unit housing COVID-19 patients.

 The Lincoln Journal Star reports that Imogene Hostetler said that she felt “great” after she left the CHI St. Elizabeth on Thursday. 

She said she wants to “plant some flowers or bake a cake.” 

On April 5, Hostetler became one of the initial five residents from the Gold Crest Retirement Center in Adams to test positive for coronavirus. 

Over the course of the next week, the retirement home would have 24 positive tests between residents and staff members. 

Three Gold Crest residents who tested positive died.

LINCOLN, Neb. (Lincoln Journal Star) — Doctors, nurses and administrators at a Nebraska hospital cheered as a 91-year-old woman was wheeled out of a unit housing COVID-19 patients. The Lincoln Journal Star reports that Imogene Hostetler said that she felt “great” after she left the CHI St. Elizabeth on Thursday. She said she wants to “plant some flowers or bake a cake.” On April 5, Hostetler became one of the initial five residents from the Gold Crest Retirement Center in Adams to test positive for coronavirus. Over the course of the next week, the retirement home would have 24 positive tests between residents and staff members. Three Gold Crest residents who tested positive died.

Cheers erupt as 91-year-old COVID-19 patient leaves hospital

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is pitching “emerging” research on the benefits of sunlight and humidity in diminishing the threat of the coronavirus as President Donald Trump encourages states to move to reopen their economies.

Past studies have not found good evidence that the warmer temperatures and higher humidity of spring and summer will help tamp down the spread of the virus.

But William Bryan of the Department of Homeland Security said at a White House briefing Thursday that there are “emerging results” from new research that suggest solar light has a powerful effect in killing the virus on surfaces and in the air. He said scientists have seen a similar effect from higher temperatures and humidity. A biocontainment lab in Maryland has been conducting testing on the virus since February, Bryan said.

“The virus is dying at a much more rapid pace just from exposure to higher temperatures and just from exposure to humidity,” Bryan said.

Bryan said having more knowledge about this could help governors when making decisions about how and when to open their state economies. However, he stressed that the emerging results of the light and heat studies do not replace social distancing recommendations.

Trump, who has consistently looked for hopeful news about containing the virus, was asked if it was dangerous to make people think they would be safe by going outside in the heat, considering that so many people have died in Florida.

“I hope people enjoy the sun. And if it has an impact, that’s great,” Trump replied, adding, “It’s just a suggestion from a brilliant lab by a very, very smart, perhaps brilliant man.”

“I’m here to present ideas, because we want ideas to get rid of this thing. And if heat is good, and if sunlight is good, that’s a great thing as far as I’m concerned,” the president said.

Trump noted that the researchers were also looking at the effects of disinfectants on the virus and wondered aloud if they could be injected into people, saying the virus “does a tremendous number on the lungs, so it would be interesting to check that.” Bryan said there was no consideration of that.

The president has often talked up prospects for new therapies and offered rosy timelines for the development of a vaccine.

Earlier in the month, scientific advisers told the White House there’s no good evidence yet that the heat and humidity of summer will rein in the virus without continued public health measures.

Researchers convened by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine analyzed studies done so far to test virus survival under different laboratory conditions as well as tracking where and how COVID-19 has spread so far.

“Given that countries currently in ‘summer’ climates, such as Australia and Iran, are experiencing rapid virus spread, a decrease in cases with increases in humidity and temperature elsewhere should not be assumed,” the researchers wrote earlier in April in response to questions from the White House Office of Science and Technology.

In addition, the report cited the global lack of immunity to the new virus and concluded, “if there is an effect of temperature and humidity on transmission, it may not be as apparent as with other respiratory viruses for which there is at least some preexisting partial immunity.”

They noted that during 10 previous flu pandemics, regardless of what season they started, all had a peak second wave about six months after the virus first emerged.

In March, Dr. Michael Ryan, the World Health Organization’s emergencies chief. said, “We have to assume that the virus will continue to have the capacity to spread, and it’s a false hope to say yes, it will just disappear in the summertime like influenza.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587725492311.png" alt="President Trump and William Bryan, Science and Technology Director at the Department of Homeland Security" />
 <figcaption>President Trump and William Bryan, Science and Technology Director at the Department of Homeland Security</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is pitching “emerging” research on the benefits of sunlight and humidity in diminishing the threat of the coronavirus as President Donald Trump encourages states to move to reopen their economies.Past studies have not found good evidence that the warmer temperatures and higher humidity of spring and summer will help tamp down the spread of the virus.But William Bryan of the Department of Homeland Security said at a White House briefing Thursday that there are “emerging results” from new research that suggest solar light has a powerful effect in killing the virus on surfaces and in the air. He said scientists have seen a similar effect from higher temperatures and humidity. A biocontainment lab in Maryland has been conducting testing on the virus since February, Bryan said.“The virus is dying at a much more rapid pace just from exposure to higher temperatures and just from exposure to humidity,” Bryan said.Bryan said having more knowledge about this could help governors when making decisions about how and when to open their state economies. However, he stressed that the emerging results of the light and heat studies do not replace social distancing recommendations.Trump, who has consistently looked for hopeful news about containing the virus, was asked if it was dangerous to make people think they would be safe by going outside in the heat, considering that so many people have died in Florida.“I hope people enjoy the sun. And if it has an impact, that’s great,” Trump replied, adding, “It’s just a suggestion from a brilliant lab by a very, very smart, perhaps brilliant man.”“I’m here to present ideas, because we want ideas to get rid of this thing. And if heat is good, and if sunlight is good, that’s a great thing as far as I’m concerned,” the president said.Trump noted that the researchers were also looking at the effects of disinfectants on the virus and wondered aloud if they could be injected into people, saying the virus “does a tremendous number on the lungs, so it would be interesting to check that.” Bryan said there was no consideration of that.The president has often talked up prospects for new therapies and offered rosy timelines for the development of a vaccine.Earlier in the month, scientific advisers told the White House there’s no good evidence yet that the heat and humidity of summer will rein in the virus without continued public health measures.Researchers convened by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine analyzed studies done so far to test virus survival under different laboratory conditions as well as tracking where and how COVID-19 has spread so far.“Given that countries currently in ‘summer’ climates, such as Australia and Iran, are experiencing rapid virus spread, a decrease in cases with increases in humidity and temperature elsewhere should not be assumed,” the researchers wrote earlier in April in response to questions from the White House Office of Science and Technology.In addition, the report cited the global lack of immunity to the new virus and concluded, “if there is an effect of temperature and humidity on transmission, it may not be as apparent as with other respiratory viruses for which there is at least some preexisting partial immunity.”They noted that during 10 previous flu pandemics, regardless of what season they started, all had a peak second wave about six months after the virus first emerged.In March, Dr. Michael Ryan, the World Health Organization’s emergencies chief. said, “We have to assume that the virus will continue to have the capacity to spread, and it’s a false hope to say yes, it will just disappear in the summertime like influenza.”

White House: Heat, humidity could help fight virus

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress delivered a nearly $500 billion infusion of coronavirus spending Thursday, rushing new relief to employers and hospitals buckling under the strain of a pandemic that has claimed almost 50,000 American lives and one in six U.S. jobs.

The measure passed almost unanimously, but the lopsided tally belies a potentially bumpier path ahead as battle lines are being formed for much more ambitious future legislation that may prove far more difficult to maneuver through Congress.

President Donald Trump is scheduled to sign the bill during a White House ceremony Friday.

The bipartisan measure passed as lawmakers gathered in Washington as a group for the first time since March 27, adopting stricter social distancing rules while seeking to prove they can do their work despite the COVID-19 crisis.

Lawmakers’ face masks and bandannas added an somber tone to their effort to aid a nation staggered by the health crisis and devastating economic costs of the pandemic.

“Millions of people out of work,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. “This is really a very, very, very sad day. We come to the floor with nearly 50,000 deaths, a huge number of people impacted, and the uncertainty of it all. We hope to soon get to a recovery phase. But right now we’re still in mitigation.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — A nearly $500 billion measure helping businesses and hospitals ride out the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak">coronavirus’ devastation</a>&nbsp;edged toward House passage Thursday, as lawmakers’ face masks and bandannas added an eerie tone to Congress’ effort to aid a staggered nation.

“Millions of people out of work,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. “This is really a very, very, very sad day. We come to the floor with nearly 50,000 deaths, a huge number of people impacted, and the uncertainty of it all.”

The day’s debate was almost overshadowed by social distancing steps that produced a stark image of how the pandemic is changing what used to be normal behavior in Washington.

As Pelosi spoke, she lowered a white scarf that had covered much of her face. House Chaplain Patrick Conroy delivered the opening prayer wearing a yellow protective mask, and most lawmakers and aides on the chamber’s sparsely populated floor wore masks as well.

With the entire Capitol closed to the public, visitors’ galleries were set aside for lawmakers in an effort to separate them.

The package was headed toward certain, overwhelming approval later Thursday, an action that would send the measure to President Donald Trump for his signature. The Senate approved the legislation Tuesday.

But partisan divides remained over the government’s response to the country’s unprecedented health and economic crises — some of them literally visible.

Of the roughly two dozen lawmakers on the chamber’s floor as debate began, just two were not wearing masks — Republican Reps. Jim Jordan of Ohio and James Comer of Kentucky.

In addition, Republicans chided Democrats for holding up the initial version of the bill by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., which included just $250 billion, all of it for small businesses.

After two weeks, GOP leaders agreed to expand the bill as Democrats insisted on more money for small businesses in minority and rural communities, hospitals and for virus testing. During that period, the government exhausted an initial $250 billion lawmakers had provided in earlier emergency legislation.

Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, blamed Pelosi for delaying the money as “small businesses and their workers desperately fought to hold on.” He added, “How many jobs could we have saved if partisan politics had not reared its ugly head.”

Pelosi blamed Republicans and McConnell for the holdup, saying Democrats had changed a GOP-written “corporate-oriented trickle-down bill to a worker-first, bubble-up bill.”

She also singled out McConnell for at first opposing adding any money to his original $250 billion package and saying cash-strapped states should be allowed to declare bankruptcy, a move they currently cannot do and that would threaten a broad range of state services.

“Oh, really?” Pelosi said. “What made you think that was a good idea?”

A government report Thursday showed that since the virus hit the U.S., a previously unthinkable 26 millions Americans have filed for unemployment benefits, about 1 in 6 workers.

Despite the political rhetoric, large majorities of both parties were sure to back the measure by a wide margin.

Anchoring the bill is a request by the Trump administration to replenish&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/edf614822fa34d70520b35e000f3b3ce">a fund to help small- and medium-size businesses</a>&nbsp;with payroll, rent and other expenses.

Supporters are already warning that more funds will be needed almost immediately for the business-backed Paycheck Protection Program. Launched just weeks ago, the program quickly reached its lending limit after approving nearly 1.7 million loans. That left thousands of small businesses in limbo as they sought help.

Battle lines are forming over the next measure amid growing demands to help out state and local governments, the Postal Service and first responders.

Pelosi said she would name it the “Heroes Act” because it will include more money for first-responders and other state and local costs. She and House Ways and Means Chairman Richard Neal, D-Md., said it will also include more money for hospitals, direct payments to individuals and an extension of beefed up unemployment payments until the fall.

McConnell has said the Senate will pause before jumping onto the next bill. He has said he wants to consider the impact on the swelling national debt of the $2.5 trillion Congress will now have provided with four bipartisan bills addressing the pandemic and supporting the economy.

The bill being approved Thursday started two weeks ago as a simple Trump-sought $250 billion replenishment of the oversubscribed payroll subsidy program and grew from there. The payroll program provides forgivable loans so businesses can continue paying workers while forced to stay closed for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/fa1fda126fe191425abc20ab461dfbe7">social distancing</a>&nbsp;and stay-at-home orders.

It also contains $100 billion demanded by Democrats for hospitals and a nationwide testing program, along with a $60 billion set-aside for small banks and an alternative network of community development banks that focus on development in urban neighborhoods and rural areas ignored by many lenders. There’s also $60 billion for small-business loans and grants delivered through the Small Business Administration’s existing disaster aid program.

The House planned to conduct its roll call votes under social distancing rules, with dozens of lawmakers voting at a time grouped in alphabetical order.

Pelosi has also orchestrated a vote to establish a select panel to provide oversight of the government’s efforts to battle the coronavirus, a move decried by Republicans as playing politics with the crisis.

Trump has said he supports including fiscal relief for state and local government in another virus aid package along with infrastructure projects.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587665990231.png" alt="Chaplin Pat Conroy opened Thursday's business in the&nbsp; House of Representatives with prayer -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Chaplin Pat Conroy opened Thursday's business in the&nbsp; House of Representatives with prayer -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress delivered a nearly $500 billion infusion of coronavirus spending Thursday, rushing new relief to employers and hospitals buckling under the strain of a pandemic that has claimed almost 50,000 American lives and one in six U.S. jobs.The measure passed almost unanimously, but the lopsided tally belies a potentially bumpier path ahead as battle lines are being formed for much more ambitious future legislation that may prove far more difficult to maneuver through Congress.President Donald Trump is scheduled to sign the bill during a White House ceremony Friday.The bipartisan measure passed as lawmakers gathered in Washington as a group for the first time since March 27, adopting stricter social distancing rules while seeking to prove they can do their work despite the COVID-19 crisis.Lawmakers’ face masks and bandannas added an somber tone to their effort to aid a nation staggered by the health crisis and devastating economic costs of the pandemic.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587723272444.png" alt="House Speaker Nancy Pelosi addressed the media following Thursday's vote -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>House Speaker Nancy Pelosi addressed the media following Thursday's vote -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>“Millions of people out of work,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. “This is really a very, very, very sad day. We come to the floor with nearly 50,000 deaths, a huge number of people impacted, and the uncertainty of it all. We hope to soon get to a recovery phase. But right now we’re still in mitigation.”WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress delivered a nearly $500 billion infusion of coronavirus spending Thursday, rushing new relief to employers and hospitals buckling under the strain of a pandemic that has claimed almost 50,000 American lives and one in six U.S. jobs.The measure passed almost unanimously, but the lopsided tally belies a potentially bumpier path ahead as battle lines are being formed for much more ambitious future legislation that may prove far more difficult to maneuver through Congress.President Donald Trump is scheduled to sign the bill during a White House ceremony Friday.The bipartisan measure passed as lawmakers gathered in Washington as a group for the first time since March 27, adopting stricter social distancing rules while seeking to prove they can do their work despite the COVID-19 crisis.Lawmakers’ face masks and bandannas added an somber tone to their effort to aid a nation staggered by the health crisis and devastating economic costs of the pandemic.“Millions of people out of work,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. “This is really a very, very, very sad day. We come to the floor with nearly 50,000 deaths, a huge number of people impacted, and the uncertainty of it all. We hope to soon get to a recovery phase. But right now we’re still in mitigation.”-------WASHINGTON (AP) — A nearly $500 billion measure helping businesses and hospitals ride out the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak">coronavirus’ devastation</a>&nbsp;edged toward House passage Thursday, as lawmakers’ face masks and bandannas added an eerie tone to Congress’ effort to aid a staggered nation.“Millions of people out of work,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. “This is really a very, very, very sad day. We come to the floor with nearly 50,000 deaths, a huge number of people impacted, and the uncertainty of it all.”The day’s debate was almost overshadowed by social distancing steps that produced a stark image of how the pandemic is changing what used to be normal behavior in Washington.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587665950744.png" alt="House Speaker Nancy Pelosi during Thursday's debate on the relief package -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>House Speaker Nancy Pelosi during Thursday's debate on the relief package -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>As Pelosi spoke, she lowered a white scarf that had covered much of her face. House Chaplain Patrick Conroy delivered the opening prayer wearing a yellow protective mask, and most lawmakers and aides on the chamber’s sparsely populated floor wore masks as well.With the entire Capitol closed to the public, visitors’ galleries were set aside for lawmakers in an effort to separate them.The package was headed toward certain, overwhelming approval later Thursday, an action that would send the measure to President Donald Trump for his signature. The Senate approved the legislation Tuesday.But partisan divides remained over the government’s response to the country’s unprecedented health and economic crises — some of them literally visible.Of the roughly two dozen lawmakers on the chamber’s floor as debate began, just two were not wearing masks — Republican Reps. Jim Jordan of Ohio and James Comer of Kentucky.In addition, Republicans chided Democrats for holding up the initial version of the bill by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., which included just $250 billion, all of it for small businesses.After two weeks, GOP leaders agreed to expand the bill as Democrats insisted on more money for small businesses in minority and rural communities, hospitals and for virus testing. During that period, the government exhausted an initial $250 billion lawmakers had provided in earlier emergency legislation.Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas, blamed Pelosi for delaying the money as “small businesses and their workers desperately fought to hold on.” He added, “How many jobs could we have saved if partisan politics had not reared its ugly head.”Pelosi blamed Republicans and McConnell for the holdup, saying Democrats had changed a GOP-written “corporate-oriented trickle-down bill to a worker-first, bubble-up bill.”She also singled out McConnell for at first opposing adding any money to his original $250 billion package and saying cash-strapped states should be allowed to declare bankruptcy, a move they currently cannot do and that would threaten a broad range of state services.“Oh, really?” Pelosi said. “What made you think that was a good idea?”A government report Thursday showed that since the virus hit the U.S., a previously unthinkable 26 millions Americans have filed for unemployment benefits, about 1 in 6 workers.Despite the political rhetoric, large majorities of both parties were sure to back the measure by a wide margin.Anchoring the bill is a request by the Trump administration to replenish&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/edf614822fa34d70520b35e000f3b3ce">a fund to help small- and medium-size businesses</a>&nbsp;with payroll, rent and other expenses.Supporters are already warning that more funds will be needed almost immediately for the business-backed Paycheck Protection Program. Launched just weeks ago, the program quickly reached its lending limit after approving nearly 1.7 million loans. That left thousands of small businesses in limbo as they sought help.Battle lines are forming over the next measure amid growing demands to help out state and local governments, the Postal Service and first responders.Pelosi said she would name it the “Heroes Act” because it will include more money for first-responders and other state and local costs. She and House Ways and Means Chairman Richard Neal, D-Md., said it will also include more money for hospitals, direct payments to individuals and an extension of beefed up unemployment payments until the fall.McConnell has said the Senate will pause before jumping onto the next bill. He has said he wants to consider the impact on the swelling national debt of the $2.5 trillion Congress will now have provided with four bipartisan bills addressing the pandemic and supporting the economy.The bill being approved Thursday started two weeks ago as a simple Trump-sought $250 billion replenishment of the oversubscribed payroll subsidy program and grew from there. The payroll program provides forgivable loans so businesses can continue paying workers while forced to stay closed for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/fa1fda126fe191425abc20ab461dfbe7">social distancing</a>&nbsp;and stay-at-home orders.It also contains $100 billion demanded by Democrats for hospitals and a nationwide testing program, along with a $60 billion set-aside for small banks and an alternative network of community development banks that focus on development in urban neighborhoods and rural areas ignored by many lenders. There’s also $60 billion for small-business loans and grants delivered through the Small Business Administration’s existing disaster aid program.The House planned to conduct its roll call votes under social distancing rules, with dozens of lawmakers voting at a time grouped in alphabetical order.Pelosi has also orchestrated a vote to establish a select panel to provide oversight of the government’s efforts to battle the coronavirus, a move decried by Republicans as playing politics with the crisis.Trump has said he supports including fiscal relief for state and local government in another virus aid package along with infrastructure projects.___

Congress, many in masks, approves $500B more in virus aid

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Gov. Pete Ricketts says he doesn’t plan to close any of Nebraska’s meatpacking plants despite a surge in coronavirus cases in their surrounding communities that have turned them into the state’s biggest hot spots. 

Ricketts says he was concerned that shuttering the plants could hurt the state’s food supply and lead to “civil unrest” if residents suddenly lose access to meat. 

His comments came as Dakota County, home to a Tyson plant, reported 133 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, bringing its total to 246.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Gov. Pete Ricketts says he doesn’t plan to close any of Nebraska’s meatpacking plants despite a surge in coronavirus cases in their surrounding communities that have turned them into the state’s biggest hot spots. Ricketts says he was concerned that shuttering the plants could hurt the state’s food supply and lead to “civil unrest” if residents suddenly lose access to meat. His comments came as Dakota County, home to a Tyson plant, reported 133 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, bringing its total to 246.

Ricketts warns of 'civil unrest' if meatpacking plants close

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — The Latest on the coronavirus outbreak in South Dakota (all times local):

Rapid City has a plan which could reopen many businesses as early as Monday.

The City Council will meet in special session Monday to consider the plan, and if approved it would take effect immediately.

Gov. Kristi Noem has not issued a stay-at-home order in South Dakota. But, some cities have adopted local laws to avoid spreading COVID-19.

Mayor Steve Allender said that under the plan, restaurants and bars would be able to reopen with a minimum of six feet between tables, chairs and bar stools.

There would also be capacity limits on those businesses and casinos. The limit would be either 10 people, or one customer for every 125 square feet (11.6 square meters) of space.

Additionally, all food service employees would be required to wear masks. At casinos, the video machines must be cleaned and disinfected between customers, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://rapidcityjournal.com/business/local/rapid-city-may-reopen-businesses-monday/article_62d5f38b-fc6f-5940-8ac1-f7d035ca56b2.html#tracking-source=home-top-story">Rapid City Journal.</a>

At retail stores, hand sanitizer would be required throughout the store for public use and there would be capacity limits for grocery, retail, recreation and fitness businesses would be limited to one customer for every 200 square feet (18.5 square meters).

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) — The Latest on the coronavirus outbreak in South Dakota (all times local):9:20 a.m.Rapid City has a plan which could reopen many businesses as early as Monday.The City Council will meet in special session Monday to consider the plan, and if approved it would take effect immediately.Gov. Kristi Noem has not issued a stay-at-home order in South Dakota. But, some cities have adopted local laws to avoid spreading COVID-19.Mayor Steve Allender said that under the plan, restaurants and bars would be able to reopen with a minimum of six feet between tables, chairs and bar stools.There would also be capacity limits on those businesses and casinos. The limit would be either 10 people, or one customer for every 125 square feet (11.6 square meters) of space.Additionally, all food service employees would be required to wear masks. At casinos, the video machines must be cleaned and disinfected between customers, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://rapidcityjournal.com/business/local/rapid-city-may-reopen-businesses-monday/article_62d5f38b-fc6f-5940-8ac1-f7d035ca56b2.html#tracking-source=home-top-story">Rapid City Journal.</a>At retail stores, hand sanitizer would be required throughout the store for public use and there would be capacity limits for grocery, retail, recreation and fitness businesses would be limited to one customer for every 200 square feet (18.5 square meters).

The Latest: Rapid City has business reopening plan

WASHINGTON(AP)—The Trump administration is barring most international students and all students who entered the U.S. illegally from receiving emergency college grants approved by Congress as part of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/2099a53bb8adf2def7ee7329ea322f9d">a $2.2 trillion coronavirus rescue package</a>.

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos issued the restriction in new guidelines released Tuesday telling colleges how to distribute more than $6 billion in grants meant to help students cover unexpected costs triggered by the pandemic. Earlier guidance from the Education Department suggested universities would have wide flexibility in distributing the grants, but the new guidelines said that only students who qualify for other federal student aid can receive the aid.

More than 400,000 students are estimated to have entered the U.S. illegally. More than 1 million international students are enrolled at U.S. colleges.

University leaders and immigration groups blasted the change, saying DeVos is imposing new limits that were not included in Congress’ legislation. The rescue package did not specify which students are eligible for grants, and many colleges had planned to distribute emergency grants to needy students regardless of their citizenship status.

Some prestigious universities cited the new policy in decisions to reject the funding. Princeton University announced Wednesday that it would refuse its $2.4 million share of coronavirus relief over the policy. Harvard University also cited the change in its decision to reject $8.7 million in aid.

The Education Department said its guidance is aligned with other federal laws. The agency cited the Higher Education Act, a sweeping law that says only U.S. citizens and a narrow set of “eligible noncitizens” are eligible for federal student aid. Angela Morabito, a department spokeswoman, said the rescue package legislation “makes clear that this taxpayer funded relief fund should be targeted to U.S. citizens, which is consistently echoed throughout the law.”

But some higher education advocates challenged that claim. The American Council on Education, an association of college presidents, said the rescue package placed no limits on student eligibility.

“The statute says almost nothing about who is eligible to receive a grant. The Department of Education owns this decision. Period,” said Terry Hartle, the group’s senior vice president. He added that the group is disappointed by DeVos’ policy. “We strongly believed many of these students needed help.”

The guidelines have created confusion about exactly which students can receive the grants, Hartle said. It’s clear that the department is excluding immigrants who entered the U.S. illegally and international students, he said, but it’s unclear how schools should determine eligibility. Most colleges don’t ask students if they’re U.S. citizens, he said, and officials have no easy way to check.

“A college could give an emergency grant to a Dreamer without realizing the person is a Dreamer,” he said, referring to immigrants who were brought to the U.S. illegally but allowed to stay under the under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA.

At the University of California, Riverside, officials had been planning to award grants to some of the campus’ estimated 600 DACA recipients. Now, officials will turn to fundraising or other revenue sources to help students excluded by the Education Department.

Chancellor Kim Wilcox said he’s grateful for the federal relief but was disheartened by DeVos’ policy.

“I was disappointed for students here at UCR, for students across California, and I was disappointed for the nation,” Wilcox said. “This is a huge economic hit and there are pressing needs everywhere.”

Student advocates see DeVos’ update as a reversal from her previous guidance. When DeVos made the funding available in early April, she said colleges would be given flexibility in deciding how to award grants. She told colleges to focus on helping the neediest students. And in paperwork that colleges sign to receive the funding, the agency says the relief isn’t considered federal financial aid.

That earlier guidance led some schools to believe the grants were exempt from citizenship requirements.

Sara Goldrick-Rab, a professor of higher education policy and sociology at Temple University, said the new requirements are cruel to students who were counting on the grants to cover food, housing and other costs, and to colleges that now have to scramble to revise plans for distributing the funding. Losing access to the grants will likely force some students to drop out, she said, especially those whose families are dealing with unemployment amid the pandemic.

“They’re not going to have the money that they need to stay connected to their college. And people who drop out of college often do not come back,” said Goldrick-Rab, who founded the nonprofit Hope Center for College, Community and Justice.

Critics say the policy is particularly unjust because the same students now barred from receiving grants were counted in the formula used to allocate money for schools. The rescue package provided $14 billion for the nation’s colleges, offering them varying sums based on their student enrollment and the percentage of students they teach from poorer backgrounds.

The United We Dream Network, which advocates for DACA recipients, said it was “callous” of DeVos to block so many students from access to funding. Sanaa Abrar, the group’s advocacy director, urged Congress and colleges to find other ways to help students excluded by DeVos’ directive.

“Every single relief package being discussed in Congress must include both the health care and financial assistance immigrant communities need,” Abrar said, “especially as the Trump administration continues to attack and scapegoat our communities amidst a pandemic.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585353417200.png" alt="Education Secretary Betsy DeVos answers questions during a Coronavirus Task Force briefing-image courtesy White House&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Education Secretary Betsy DeVos answers questions during a Coronavirus Task Force briefing-image courtesy White House&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON(AP)—The Trump administration is barring most international students and all students who entered the U.S. illegally from receiving emergency college grants approved by Congress as part of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/2099a53bb8adf2def7ee7329ea322f9d">a $2.2 trillion coronavirus rescue package</a>.Education Secretary Betsy DeVos issued the restriction in new guidelines released Tuesday telling colleges how to distribute more than $6 billion in grants meant to help students cover unexpected costs triggered by the pandemic. Earlier guidance from the Education Department suggested universities would have wide flexibility in distributing the grants, but the new guidelines said that only students who qualify for other federal student aid can receive the aid.More than 400,000 students are estimated to have entered the U.S. illegally. More than 1 million international students are enrolled at U.S. colleges.University leaders and immigration groups blasted the change, saying DeVos is imposing new limits that were not included in Congress’ legislation. The rescue package did not specify which students are eligible for grants, and many colleges had planned to distribute emergency grants to needy students regardless of their citizenship status.Some prestigious universities cited the new policy in decisions to reject the funding. Princeton University announced Wednesday that it would refuse its $2.4 million share of coronavirus relief over the policy. Harvard University also cited the change in its decision to reject $8.7 million in aid.The Education Department said its guidance is aligned with other federal laws. The agency cited the Higher Education Act, a sweeping law that says only U.S. citizens and a narrow set of “eligible noncitizens” are eligible for federal student aid. Angela Morabito, a department spokeswoman, said the rescue package legislation “makes clear that this taxpayer funded relief fund should be targeted to U.S. citizens, which is consistently echoed throughout the law.”But some higher education advocates challenged that claim. The American Council on Education, an association of college presidents, said the rescue package placed no limits on student eligibility.“The statute says almost nothing about who is eligible to receive a grant. The Department of Education owns this decision. Period,” said Terry Hartle, the group’s senior vice president. He added that the group is disappointed by DeVos’ policy. “We strongly believed many of these students needed help.”The guidelines have created confusion about exactly which students can receive the grants, Hartle said. It’s clear that the department is excluding immigrants who entered the U.S. illegally and international students, he said, but it’s unclear how schools should determine eligibility. Most colleges don’t ask students if they’re U.S. citizens, he said, and officials have no easy way to check.“A college could give an emergency grant to a Dreamer without realizing the person is a Dreamer,” he said, referring to immigrants who were brought to the U.S. illegally but allowed to stay under the under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA.At the University of California, Riverside, officials had been planning to award grants to some of the campus’ estimated 600 DACA recipients. Now, officials will turn to fundraising or other revenue sources to help students excluded by the Education Department.Chancellor Kim Wilcox said he’s grateful for the federal relief but was disheartened by DeVos’ policy.“I was disappointed for students here at UCR, for students across California, and I was disappointed for the nation,” Wilcox said. “This is a huge economic hit and there are pressing needs everywhere.”Student advocates see DeVos’ update as a reversal from her previous guidance. When DeVos made the funding available in early April, she said colleges would be given flexibility in deciding how to award grants. She told colleges to focus on helping the neediest students. And in paperwork that colleges sign to receive the funding, the agency says the relief isn’t considered federal financial aid.That earlier guidance led some schools to believe the grants were exempt from citizenship requirements.Sara Goldrick-Rab, a professor of higher education policy and sociology at Temple University, said the new requirements are cruel to students who were counting on the grants to cover food, housing and other costs, and to colleges that now have to scramble to revise plans for distributing the funding. Losing access to the grants will likely force some students to drop out, she said, especially those whose families are dealing with unemployment amid the pandemic.“They’re not going to have the money that they need to stay connected to their college. And people who drop out of college often do not come back,” said Goldrick-Rab, who founded the nonprofit Hope Center for College, Community and Justice.Critics say the policy is particularly unjust because the same students now barred from receiving grants were counted in the formula used to allocate money for schools. The rescue package provided $14 billion for the nation’s colleges, offering them varying sums based on their student enrollment and the percentage of students they teach from poorer backgrounds.The United We Dream Network, which advocates for DACA recipients, said it was “callous” of DeVos to block so many students from access to funding. Sanaa Abrar, the group’s advocacy director, urged Congress and colleges to find other ways to help students excluded by DeVos’ directive.“Every single relief package being discussed in Congress must include both the health care and financial assistance immigrant communities need,” Abrar said, “especially as the Trump administration continues to attack and scapegoat our communities amidst a pandemic.”

DACA kids, foreign students excluded from virus relief grants

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Tyson Foods is suspending operations indefinitely at a large Iowa pork processing plant that was blamed for fueling a coronavirus outbreak in the community. 

The company warned Wednesday that its closing of the plant in Waterloo would be a blow to hog farmers and potentially disrupt the nation’s pork supply. 

Tyson kept the plant open in recent days over the objections of the mayor and other local officials. 

The plant employs 2,800 workers and can process about 19,500 hogs per day, almost 4% of the nation's pork processing capacity. 

Several other meatpacking plants have temporarily closed due to coronavirus outbreaks.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Tyson Foods is suspending operations indefinitely at a large Iowa pork processing plant that was blamed for fueling a coronavirus outbreak in the community. The company warned Wednesday that its closing of the plant in Waterloo would be a blow to hog farmers and potentially disrupt the nation’s pork supply. Tyson kept the plant open in recent days over the objections of the mayor and other local officials. The plant employs 2,800 workers and can process about 19,500 hogs per day, almost 4% of the nation's pork processing capacity. Several other meatpacking plants have temporarily closed due to coronavirus outbreaks.

Tyson Foods idles largest pork plant as virus slams industry

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The number of Nebraska residents seeking unemployment benefits for the first time dropped again last week but is still far higher than usual as businesses struggle with the fallout from the coronavirus.

 The U.S. Department of Labor says the state received 12,340 new unemployment claims during the week that ended April 18. 

The number has declined since a record-setting surge that peaked at 26,788 in early April. 

Nebraska has now seen about 95,000 claims over the past five weeks, well over double the number filed in a typical year. 

Unemployment has soared in Nebraska and nationally due to state-mandated social distancing restrictions on businesses as well as Americans who are staying sheltered at home.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The number of Nebraska residents seeking unemployment benefits for the first time dropped again last week but is still far higher than usual as businesses struggle with the fallout from the coronavirus. The U.S. Department of Labor says the state received 12,340 new unemployment claims during the week that ended April 18. The number has declined since a record-setting surge that peaked at 26,788 in early April. Nebraska has now seen about 95,000 claims over the past five weeks, well over double the number filed in a typical year. Unemployment has soared in Nebraska and nationally due to state-mandated social distancing restrictions on businesses as well as Americans who are staying sheltered at home.

Nebraska jobless claims down again, still above normal

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska state health officials have reported four new COVID-19 deaths, all in the hard-hit area of Grand Island. 

The new cases bring the state’s total deaths from the disease to 45 since the outbreak began. 

Three of the deaths reported Wednesday were in Hall County, including a woman in her 60s, another in her 70s, and a man in his 60s. 

The fourth death was a woman in her 90s in Hamilton County. 

Nebraska’s online coronavirus tracking portal on Thursday morning showed 1,813 confirmed cases in the state. Nearly 17,400 people had been tested for the virus statewide, with more than 15,500 testing negative for the illness.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska state health officials have reported four new COVID-19 deaths, all in the hard-hit area of Grand Island. The new cases bring the state’s total deaths from the disease to 45 since the outbreak began. Three of the deaths reported Wednesday were in Hall County, including a woman in her 60s, another in her 70s, and a man in his 60s. The fourth death was a woman in her 90s in Hamilton County. Nebraska’s online coronavirus tracking portal on Thursday morning showed 1,813 confirmed cases in the state. Nearly 17,400 people had been tested for the virus statewide, with more than 15,500 testing negative for the illness.

Four new COVID-19 deaths in state

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Dozens of U.S. meat-processing plants have been forced to close temporarily as the industry struggles to contain the spread of the coronavirus among employees who often stand side-by-side while cutting and packaging beef, pork and poultry.

 Giant slaughterhouses that employ thousands of people are designed to have workers close together, making it difficult to adhere to social-distancing guidelines that advise people should stay 6 feet apart.

 Even as companies take steps to protect workers, industry experts say it’s nearly impossible to eliminate all risk of catching the virus and they note safety measures have been adopted unevenly.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Dozens of U.S. meat-processing plants have been forced to close temporarily as the industry struggles to contain the spread of the coronavirus among employees who often stand side-by-side while cutting and packaging beef, pork and poultry. Giant slaughterhouses that employ thousands of people are designed to have workers close together, making it difficult to adhere to social-distancing guidelines that advise people should stay 6 feet apart. Even as companies take steps to protect workers, industry experts say it’s nearly impossible to eliminate all risk of catching the virus and they note safety measures have been adopted unevenly.

Stopping virus a huge challenge at crowded US meat plants

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Union Pacific’s first-quarter profit improved 6%, but the railroad expects shipping volume to plummet 25% in the second quarter because of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. 

The railroad said Thursday it earned $1.47 billion, or $2.15 per share, in the first quarter. That’s up from $1.39 billion, or $1.93 per share, a year ago. 

The results topped Wall Street expectations.

 Union Pacific said the number of carloads of freight it delivered in the first quarter fell 7%, but volume has declined sharply since then as automakers closed their plants and other manufacturers slowed production because of the virus outbreak.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Union Pacific’s first-quarter profit improved 6%, but the railroad expects shipping volume to plummet 25% in the second quarter because of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. The railroad said Thursday it earned $1.47 billion, or $2.15 per share, in the first quarter. That’s up from $1.39 billion, or $1.93 per share, a year ago. The results topped Wall Street expectations. Union Pacific said the number of carloads of freight it delivered in the first quarter fell 7%, but volume has declined sharply since then as automakers closed their plants and other manufacturers slowed production because of the virus outbreak.

Union Pacific predicts 25% drop in volume because of virus

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Wednesday played down the possibility that the coronavirus could be worse this winter despite medical experts’ warnings that COVID-19 could combine with the flu to make a more complicated return to the United States.

Trump, who has been pushing for states to begin reopening their economies, batted down notions that COVID-19 could return in large waves, as has happened in previous pandemics. Health experts and members of the White House coronavirus task force have warned of a possible comeback for the virus next fall.

“It’s not going to be what we’ve gone through, in any way, shape or form,” Trump said flatly.

He continued: “If it comes back, though, it won’t be coming back in the form that it was. It will be coming back in smaller doses that we can contain. ... You could have some embers of corona ... (but) we will not go through what we went through for the last two months.”

Trump then turned to Dr. Deborah Birx, coordinator of the coronavirus task force, and asked, “Doctor, wouldn’t you say there’s a good chance that COVID will not come back?”

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, said later in the same briefing: “We will have coronavirus in the fall. I am convinced of that.”

He stressed that in the fall, the nation would be better prepared to manage it.

“Whether or not it’s going to be big or small is going to depend on our response,” Fauci said.

Trump’s insistence that the virus won’t pose a grave danger later this year could run the risk of creating a false sense of security when health experts are still urging Americans to take precautions. Moreover, it could stand as a precarious political prediction when he goes before voters in November.

Trump opened his daily briefing by calling up the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Robert Redfield, to address his assertion a day earlier that “there’s a possibility that the assault of the virus on our nation next winter will actually be even more difficult than the one we just went through.”

Redfield said he wanted to clarify those remarks to The Washington Post, although he confirmed the statement was accurately reported.

“I didn’t say that this was going to be worse,” Redfield said. “I said it was going to be more difficult and potentially complicated.”

He added, “We are building that public healthcare capacity now to make sure that we stay in the containment mode for the upcoming fall and winter season so we will not need to resort to the kind of mitigation that we had to in the spring.”

Trump had been unhappy about Redfield’s remarks, which conflicted with the administration’s optimistic messaging that the country will soon move beyond the virus. The president tweeted earlier in the day that Redfield’s comments had been misconstrued.

Trump has frequently taken an optimistic view regarding the severity of the virus, including declarations last month that COVID-19 would “disappear.” In recent days, he has pushed for the nation to begin restarting its economy.

But his own health experts on Wednesday continued to urge caution. Fauci said that states beginning to reopen “should be careful” and that rushing to lift social distancing guidelines would likely accelerate infections.

Trump also said Wednesday that the Pentagon is planning a multicity tour by the U.S. military’s top flight demonstration teams to “champion national unity” amid the coronavirus pandemic. He said the Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds, the demonstration squadrons for the Navy and Air Force, will fly over a number of cities. And he promised a July Fourth celebration for the public on the National Mall.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587638181985.png" alt="President Trump and Dr. Deborah Birx, coordinator of the Coronavirus Task Force, during Wednesday's media briefing- image courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Trump and Dr. Deborah Birx, coordinator of the Coronavirus Task Force, during Wednesday's media briefing- image courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Wednesday played down the possibility that the coronavirus could be worse this winter despite medical experts’ warnings that COVID-19 could combine with the flu to make a more complicated return to the United States.Trump, who has been pushing for states to begin reopening their economies, batted down notions that COVID-19 could return in large waves, as has happened in previous pandemics. Health experts and members of the White House coronavirus task force have warned of a possible comeback for the virus next fall.“It’s not going to be what we’ve gone through, in any way, shape or form,” Trump said flatly.He continued: “If it comes back, though, it won’t be coming back in the form that it was. It will be coming back in smaller doses that we can contain. ... You could have some embers of corona ... (but) we will not go through what we went through for the last two months.”Trump then turned to Dr. Deborah Birx, coordinator of the coronavirus task force, and asked, “Doctor, wouldn’t you say there’s a good chance that COVID will not come back?”“We don’t know,” Birx responded.Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, said later in the same briefing: “We will have coronavirus in the fall. I am convinced of that.”He stressed that in the fall, the nation would be better prepared to manage it.“Whether or not it’s going to be big or small is going to depend on our response,” Fauci said.Trump’s insistence that the virus won’t pose a grave danger later this year could run the risk of creating a false sense of security when health experts are still urging Americans to take precautions. Moreover, it could stand as a precarious political prediction when he goes before voters in November.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587593775654.png" alt="President Trump and Director of the CDC Dr. Robert Redfield answer questions during Wednesday's Coronavirus Task Force briefing-image courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>President Trump and Director of the CDC Dr. Robert Redfield answer questions during Wednesday's Coronavirus Task Force briefing-image courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>Trump opened his daily briefing by calling up the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Robert Redfield, to address his assertion a day earlier that “there’s a possibility that the assault of the virus on our nation next winter will actually be even more difficult than the one we just went through.”Redfield said he wanted to clarify those remarks to The Washington Post, although he confirmed the statement was accurately reported.“I didn’t say that this was going to be worse,” Redfield said. “I said it was going to be more difficult and potentially complicated.”He added, “We are building that public healthcare capacity now to make sure that we stay in the containment mode for the upcoming fall and winter season so we will not need to resort to the kind of mitigation that we had to in the spring.”Trump had been unhappy about Redfield’s remarks, which conflicted with the administration’s optimistic messaging that the country will soon move beyond the virus. The president tweeted earlier in the day that Redfield’s comments had been misconstrued.Trump has frequently taken an optimistic view regarding the severity of the virus, including declarations last month that COVID-19 would “disappear.” In recent days, he has pushed for the nation to begin restarting its economy.But his own health experts on Wednesday continued to urge caution. Fauci said that states beginning to reopen “should be careful” and that rushing to lift social distancing guidelines would likely accelerate infections.Trump also said Wednesday that the Pentagon is planning a multicity tour by the U.S. military’s top flight demonstration teams to “champion national unity” amid the coronavirus pandemic. He said the Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds, the demonstration squadrons for the Navy and Air Force, will fly over a number of cities. And he promised a July Fourth celebration for the public on the National Mall.___

Experts, Trump debate impact of coronavirus this fall

Unified Command confirms the newest case for COVID-19 in Scotts Bluff County is a male in his 40s.

The initial investigation has begun and more details will be released when they are complete. Close contacts will be quarantined and actively monitored twice daily for fever and respiratory symptoms by public health officials. Contacts that are currently showing symptoms will be tested.

• Two have recovered and are out of isolation

• Ten have recovered and are out of isolation

• Nine have recovered and are out of isolation

All Panhandle residents are encouraged to Stay Home, Stay Healthy, Stay Connected. What does this mean to you?

• Do not visit or host people who do not live with you.

• Keep at least 6 feet distance from anyone you don’t live with.

• Stay home if you are sick or if someone in your home is sick.

• Stay in touch with friends and loved ones

• Check in on people who may be alone or need help.

Panhandle Public Health District, Region 21, 22, and 23 Emergency Management, and Scotts Bluff County Health Department are working as a unified command on this evolving situation. Essential updates will be regularly communicated to the public and community partners.

For the most up to date information from the CDC, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

Panhandle Public Health District is working together to improve the health, safety, and quality of life for all who live, learn, work, and play in the Panhandle. Our vision is that we are a healthier and safer Panhandle Community. Visit our website www.pphd.org.

By PPHDUnified Command confirms the newest case for COVID-19 in Scotts Bluff County is a male in his 40s.The initial investigation has begun and more details will be released when they are complete. Close contacts will be quarantined and actively monitored twice daily for fever and respiratory symptoms by public health officials. Contacts that are currently showing symptoms will be tested.March 2-April 22, 2020Positive: 40Recovered: 21• Box Butte County: 1 case• Cheyenne County: 5 cases• Two have recovered and are out of isolation• Kimball County: 10 Cases• Ten have recovered and are out of isolation• Morrill County: 1 Case• Scotts Bluff County: 23 Cases• Nine have recovered and are out of isolationAll Panhandle residents are encouraged to Stay Home, Stay Healthy, Stay Connected. What does this mean to you?Stay Home• Stay home whenever possible.• Avoid gathering in any groups.• Do not visit or host people who do not live with you.Stay Healthy• Keep at least 6 feet distance from anyone you don’t live with.• Wash your hands• Stay home if you are sick or if someone in your home is sick.Stay Connected• Stay in touch with friends and loved ones• Check in on people who may be alone or need help.Panhandle Public Health District, Region 21, 22, and 23 Emergency Management, and Scotts Bluff County Health Department are working as a unified command on this evolving situation. Essential updates will be regularly communicated to the public and community partners.For the most up to date information from the CDC, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.Panhandle Public Health District is working together to improve the health, safety, and quality of life for all who live, learn, work, and play in the Panhandle. Our vision is that we are a healthier and safer Panhandle Community. Visit our website www.pphd.org.

New case in Scotts Bluff Co. brings Panhandle total positives to 40

SCOTTSBLUFF ― With the presence of positive COVID-19 cases in western Nebraska and the Panhandle, the need for swift and accurate testing continues to be one of the highest priorities for Regional West and the Scotts Bluff County Health&nbsp;Department.

For the past few weeks, Regional West has provided specimen collection efficiently with a focus on patient and staff safety, at a drive through collection site located off the main Regional West campus.

Patients who have symptoms of respiratory illness and have been seen by a provider, as well as those who have been in contact with a person diagnosed with the novel coronavirus, are referred by appointment to the drive through clinic.

At the scheduled time, the patient drives to the collection site and a Regional West nurse meets them at their car. Using a swab, the nurse collects a nasal specimen, which is then packaged for shipment to the Nebraska Public Health Laboratory&nbsp;in Omaha.

The decision to test a patient must be made by local health departments or individual clinicians.

“The data is demonstrating that the most accurate results occur after symptoms appear for COVID-19,” said Regional West Community Health Director Paulette Schnell, RN, MSN.

To be referred to the drive through collection site, a person must be seen by a provider at the Regional West Respiratory Clinic, located at 3011 Avenue B in Scottsbluff, or a provider with other local outpatient clinics.&nbsp;&nbsp;Regional West conducts tests for all outpatient clinics in Scotts Bluff County.

Tests are also conducted on individuals who may have been in contact with a person with COVID-19 and residents of long-term care facilities who may be at risk of COVID-19. Respiratory specimens collected throughout the panhandle are sent to Regional&nbsp;West Laboratory Services for shipment to the state lab.

By utilizing nurses skilled in respiratory screening and testing to conduct all COVID-19 specimen collections at a single location, the drive through site saves personal protective equipment (PPE) resources, promotes quality specimen collection,&nbsp;and reduces the potential for healthy persons to be exposed to those with the illness.&nbsp;

“We have nearly 20 years of experience in offering drive through flu vaccination clinics so we were able to put that experience to work in developing our drive through collection site,” said Schnell.

Schnell, who also serves as the Scotts Bluff Country health director, said the drive through site has simplified the test collection process and made it easy for her staff to collect hundreds of samples for COVID-19 testing.

“We’re doing more respiratory testing now than we’ve ever done before,” she said.

In addition to drive through COVID-19 testing, Regional West is offering virtual healthcare visits with specialists and primary care providers and has temporarily converted the Urgent Care clinic at 3011 Avenue B to a respiratory clinic. Individuals&nbsp;who experience cough, sore throat, and fever with shortness of breath should call&nbsp;<a href="tel:+13086301580">308-630-1580.</a>&nbsp;Screeners will assist them in making an appointment at the respiratory clinic.

“I’m very proud of the many ways our staff has responded to the current situation by implementing and adapting to innovations to meet the healthcare needs of our communities. Their actions demonstrate that the safety of our patients and staff&nbsp;continues to be Regional West’s highest priority,” said John Mentgen, President and CEO, Regional West Health Services.

<a href="http://www.rwhs.org/">Regional West Health Services</a>&nbsp;in Scottsbluff, Neb., is the parent company of Regional West Medical Center, a 188-bed regional referral center and one of three Level II Trauma Centers in the&nbsp;state. As the region’s only tertiary referral medical center, Regional West offers care that spans more than 32 medical specialties provided by over 28 physician clinics. With nearly 300 in-network providers, and 2,000 employees, Regional West provides comprehensive&nbsp;and innovative health care services for the people of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota, and Wyoming.

SCOTTSBLUFF ― With the presence of positive COVID-19 cases in western Nebraska and the Panhandle, the need for swift and accurate testing continues to be one of the highest priorities for Regional West and the Scotts Bluff County Health&nbsp;Department.For the past few weeks, Regional West has provided specimen collection efficiently with a focus on patient and staff safety, at a drive through collection site located off the main Regional West campus.Patients who have symptoms of respiratory illness and have been seen by a provider, as well as those who have been in contact with a person diagnosed with the novel coronavirus, are referred by appointment to the drive through clinic.At the scheduled time, the patient drives to the collection site and a Regional West nurse meets them at their car. Using a swab, the nurse collects a nasal specimen, which is then packaged for shipment to the Nebraska Public Health Laboratory&nbsp;in Omaha.The decision to test a patient must be made by local health departments or individual clinicians.“The data is demonstrating that the most accurate results occur after symptoms appear for COVID-19,” said Regional West Community Health Director Paulette Schnell, RN, MSN.To be referred to the drive through collection site, a person must be seen by a provider at the Regional West Respiratory Clinic, located at 3011 Avenue B in Scottsbluff, or a provider with other local outpatient clinics.&nbsp;&nbsp;Regional West conducts tests for all outpatient clinics in Scotts Bluff County.Tests are also conducted on individuals who may have been in contact with a person with COVID-19 and residents of long-term care facilities who may be at risk of COVID-19. Respiratory specimens collected throughout the panhandle are sent to Regional&nbsp;West Laboratory Services for shipment to the state lab.By utilizing nurses skilled in respiratory screening and testing to conduct all COVID-19 specimen collections at a single location, the drive through site saves personal protective equipment (PPE) resources, promotes quality specimen collection,&nbsp;and reduces the potential for healthy persons to be exposed to those with the illness.&nbsp;“We have nearly 20 years of experience in offering drive through flu vaccination clinics so we were able to put that experience to work in developing our drive through collection site,” said Schnell.Schnell, who also serves as the Scotts Bluff Country health director, said the drive through site has simplified the test collection process and made it easy for her staff to collect hundreds of samples for COVID-19 testing.“We’re doing more respiratory testing now than we’ve ever done before,” she said.In addition to drive through COVID-19 testing, Regional West is offering virtual healthcare visits with specialists and primary care providers and has temporarily converted the Urgent Care clinic at 3011 Avenue B to a respiratory clinic. Individuals&nbsp;who experience cough, sore throat, and fever with shortness of breath should call&nbsp;<a href="tel:+13086301580">308-630-1580.</a>&nbsp;Screeners will assist them in making an appointment at the respiratory clinic.“I’m very proud of the many ways our staff has responded to the current situation by implementing and adapting to innovations to meet the healthcare needs of our communities. Their actions demonstrate that the safety of our patients and staff&nbsp;continues to be Regional West’s highest priority,” said John Mentgen, President and CEO, Regional West Health Services.<a href="http://www.rwhs.org/">Regional West Health Services</a>&nbsp;in Scottsbluff, Neb., is the parent company of Regional West Medical Center, a 188-bed regional referral center and one of three Level II Trauma Centers in the&nbsp;state. As the region’s only tertiary referral medical center, Regional West offers care that spans more than 32 medical specialties provided by over 28 physician clinics. With nearly 300 in-network providers, and 2,000 employees, Regional West provides comprehensive&nbsp;and innovative health care services for the people of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota, and Wyoming.

Regional West plays key role in Panhandle wide COVID-19 specimen collection

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Organizers of a pair of auto racing events in South Dakota are planning to open the stands to hundreds of spectators over the weekend despite concerns about the coronavirus.&nbsp; 

Gov. Kristi Noem has advised against the event. But the South Dakota Republican says she won’t be taking any action to shut down the events planned for Saturday and Sunday nights. 

Race promoters say they're selling limited tickets to give race fans a taste of “normalcy” after weeks of social distancing and canceled sporting events. 

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Organizers of a pair of auto racing events in South Dakota are planning to open the stands to hundreds of spectators over the weekend despite concerns about the coronavirus.&nbsp; Gov. Kristi Noem has advised against the event. But the South Dakota Republican says she won’t be taking any action to shut down the events planned for Saturday and Sunday nights. Race promoters say they're selling limited tickets to give race fans a taste of “normalcy” after weeks of social distancing and canceled sporting events. They say they also plan to check people's temperatures and are making concessions cashless.

Coronavirus Update