LINCOLN, Nebraska - Governor Pete Ricketts announced today he is encouraging Nebraska senators to pass an emergency appropriation to help fight the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus. This would transfer $58.5 million from the State Cash Reserve Fund to the Governor's Emergency Fund.
$38 million would go to personal protection equipment for first responders, firefighters and public health officials across the state. $13 million would help fund staffing at V-A hospitals and care facilities operated by the Department of Health and Human Services. The remainder would go to DHHS staffing, lab equipment, test kits and a knowledge center.
Nebraska Director of Public Health Dr. Gary Anthone says currently their lab is processing 100 tests a day. The lab at UNL also processing about 100 tests a day. There are also commercial labs that can process tests. He says out of 800 tests, 33 have been diagnosed with the COVID-19 virus. Dr. Anthone says time is an issue due to the lack of testing kits and the amount of time it takes to do each test.
At Friday's Governor's News Conference, OPPD CEO Tim Burke says their public offices are closed and non-critical employees are working from home. If necessary, critical employees can shelter at work.
Nebraska Environment and Energy Director Jim Macy also says drinking water is safe and there is no indication the virus can be transported by water.
Photo courtesy of 6 News.