OMAHA- Rising case counts and dwindling hospital capacity have moved Nebraska into "a dangerous period" of the coronavirus pandemic, scientists and physicians from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Nebraska Medicine said Monday.

In a joint statement, the medical professionals said the decision by state and local leaders to relax restrictions first put into place in March to control the spread of COVID-19 has allowed more people to contract the virus. And now, as flu season approaches, UNMC and Nebraska Medicine professionals warned that hospitals could be overrun if Nebraskans don't take action to slow the spread by wearing masks, avoiding indoor gatherings or large groups, and observing hygiene recommendations.

"The thought of having a flu season and a COVID-19 pandemic on top of it at the same time makes us extremely uneasy," said Dr. Daniel Johnson, the division chief of critical care at Nebraska Medicine.

As the virus began an earlier surge this year, UNMC was at 50% capacity. Now, with case counts "rapidly rising" and a second surge on the horizon, capacity is already at 85%, according to Johnson. Statewide, 35% of hospital beds remain available, according to the COVID-19 dashboard, including 33% of ICU beds and 78% of ventilators.

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