OMAHA- Hospitalizations due to COVID-19 is approaching its highest point. The majority of the increase is coming from Omaha and Lincoln after students returned to the state's universities for the semester. Nebraska also loosened public health restrictions around Labor Day Weekend, which is a factor.

This past week 231 Nebraskans were hospitalized, this is just one less case than the peak of hospitalizations on May 27. 26 of those hospitalized last week died, the total number of deaths is now at 468. 80% of the patients are 55 and older and three patients are 19 or younger. Metropolitan Omaha's daily hospitalization count has grown by 28 people per day since early September, Lancaster County's daily total is up by 31.

Dr. Mark Rupp, chief of infectious diseases at UNMC says this peak comes at a bad time and many ICU's do not have capacity to handle another surge. As hospitals have returned to allowing elective procedures, there is just not enough staff or room to house this many COVID hospitalizations. Nebraskan hospitals have enough ventilators, but not enough beds.

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