OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - The number of coronavirus cases in Nebraska is growing at a fast pace, and the state's rate of new infections ranks sixth-highest in the nation.
The state's rate of new cases per 100,000 residents over the past two weeks registered at 514.65 and ranked sixth-highest among all the states on Saturday, according to an Associated Press analysis of data from Johns Hopkins University.
The seven-day rolling average of the positivity rate in Nebraska has risen over the past two weeks from 13.01% on Oct. 3 to 18.02% on Saturday.
Nebraska reported 620 new COVID-19 cases Saturday to give the state 57,334 cases since the pandemic began. The state also reported one additional death on its online virus tracker to give the state 548 deaths.
Nebraska eliminated nearly all of its virus restrictions last month in favor of voluntary guidelines, but Gov. Pete Ricketts announced new restrictions last week because of the recent surge of cases. Starting Wednesday, hospitals will have to reserve 10% of their intensive care beds for COVID-19 patients and people at bars and restaurants will have to remain seated at tables with no more than eight people.