The number of COVID-19 cases in the city increased by 150 percent since Sunday.
Despite adding 27 new diagnoses since then, Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department Interim Director Pat Lopez says Lincoln is ahead of the state’s curve.
“But our curve is slowly moving, but it’s not rising. We’re still trying to keep it as flat as possible,” she said during the daily news update.
Despite the increase, Lincoln may still match the state’s peak in the last week of April.
“We’re looking towards that week, but we’re staying on a lower trend and we’re much more compressed in our city than the rest of the state is.”
In that same time period, Lincoln added 13 new community acquired cases.
The latest report from health officials as of 3:30 today shows over half are now community spread.
This includes six new cases today, which make up a total of 45. Of the newly diagnosed, all are females including a child under 19. The statewide the total is 570.
As the cases grow, health and safety remain a top priority for faith-based organizations.
A unique season for faith-based organizations who look to celebrate their spiritual holidays.
“Especially those as significant as Easter, Passover, Ramadan and many other religious and culture occasions may find themselves presented with special challenges,” Leirion Gaylor Baird, Lincoln’s mayor said.
Many organizations have moved Easter services online, while some plan to organize a drive-up service.
Health officials recommend to keep vehicles six feet apart and only have family members inside. Bulletins and other materials should be emailed to help prevent the spread of the virus. Members should also give online to avoid passing the plate for communion.
“While we are all practicing social distancing, we don’t have to practice spiritual distancing,” she says. “Discouraging in person gatherings is not a suspension of worship.”
A list of frequently asked questions for faith-based organizations are on the city website.