State: More Nebraska COVID-19 cases reported; total 61

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — More COVID-19 cases have been reported in five Nebraska counties, bring the state total to 61, a state agency said.

The new cases include a man and woman in their 60s who live in Washington County and who recently traveled. The two are in isolation at home, the Nebraska Health and Human Services Department said in a news release Monday night.

New cases also were reported in Cass, Douglas, Madison and Sarpy counties.

For most people, COVID-19 causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.

The vast majority of people recover from the virus, officials have said.

Earlier Monday, the Legislature advanced an $83.6 million emergency funding package to help fight the outbreak. The money would go for personal protective equipment for government workers, lab testing at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and an ultraviolet light box that would disinfect old face masks so health officials could reuse them.

The package also would set aside millions of dollars for expected overtime costs for state workers.

— — —

This story has been corrected to remove the number of new cases reported.