ELVPHD is excited to launch its COVID-19 Risk Dials this week. The unveiling of the district-wide, color-coded dial is attached - and four individual dials for the ELVPHD counties of Burt, Cuming, Stanton and Madison will be coming later this week. When published, the dials will provide specific guidance for residents, business owners, and school administrators to protect themselves and others from spread and potential exposure to the virus. This week's districtwide dial shows moderate risk (yellow zone).
From here, the public can expect the dials to be released each Thursday on the health department website at www.elvphd.org. In time, we hope to be able to expand to the more-frequent release of dials.
The original dial in Nebraska was developed by the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department (LLCHD). LLCHD shared their tool statewide and invited other health departments to customize it to fit the local communities. The main factors that are considered into the dial rankings are:
- The increase in the number of COVID-19 cases over the past three weeks
- The increase in the percentage of positive COVID-19 tests
- The capacity of the district and local healthcare system, including the availability of critical medical equipment.
- The presence of community clusters and/or community COVID-19 spread.
- The availability of testing in the district and local communities.
- The ability of ELVPHD to trace all of the identified contacts of positive cases within 24 hours.
The COVID-19 Risk Dial shows the level of risk using four colors to represent the phases described in the Federal Guidance on Reopening America, Johns Hopkins University Guidance for Governors on Reopening States, and guidance documents from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
For more information on COVID-19 in the ELVPHD, visit www.elvphd.org. ELVPHD can also be followed on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. ELVPHD serves Burt, Cuming, Stanton and Madison Counties.