Another COVID-19 death, more cases reported in Nebraska

State health officials reported another coronavirus death in Nebraska, bringing the state’s total number of COVID-19 deaths to 14.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services reported late Wednesday that the latest death was that of a man in his 70s in northeastern Nebraska’s Madison County. The man had several underlying health conditions, health officials said. As of Thursday morning, the state had reported 523 cases of the virus, with more than 7,500 residents testing negative.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.

News of the death comes a day after Gov. Pete Ricketts announced that he hoped to start gradually lifting some gathering restrictions by the beginning of May. It also followed a decision by Omaha city officials to close all its city parks through April 30, after a gathering of about 100 people in Omaha’s Benson Park for a barbecue Tuesday night ended in a fatal shooting.

(Image Credit: AP)