Hayward closing as COVID cases rise in Nebraska City

NEBRASKA CITY – Nebraska City School Superintendent Mark Fritch announced Monday a two-day closure of Hayward Elementary School due to illness and staffing concerns.

A community announcement says the staffing concerns are related to teachers, paras and substitutes. An increase of illness is reported at the school.

Hayward will be closed Tuesday, Oct. 12, and Wednesday, Oct. 13.

Fritch:  “An announcement will be made prior to noon on Wednesday on how we will proceed as we continue to monitor the situation.”

The school asks families to monitor health and keep children home if they are ill.

Fritch: “We will continue to stay diligent in our cleaning and disinfecting practices.  We appreciate your flexibility and support as we navigate these ever changing conditions.”

A Southeast District Health Department Facebook post says a directed health measure allows the health department to share county-level data as of Sept. 20 until Oct. 31.

A post on Oct. 7 says the total new COVID-19 cases in the past 7 days per 100,000 are 206 in Otoe County, 172 in Nemaha County, 152 in Richardson County, 38 in Pawnee County and 19 in Johnson County.

The Otoe County numbers are down from 393 reported Sept. 20.

The percent vaccinated was listed at 56 percent.