Nebraska Covid-19 Total Rises To 81 As Uneployment Claims Break Record

Thirteen new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Nebraska yesterday, bringing the total number in the state to 81. New cases were reported by Sarpy and Douglas counties, and officials in Omaha say a police officer and firefighter have tested positive for the virus. The Omaha Police Department says the officer recently went out of state, and has self-isolated since he returned. WOWT reports the firefighter contracted the virus while he was furloughed, and did not infect any others. That news comes as officials noted Nebraska's initial claims for unemployment skyrocketed with the rest of the nation's last week amid the coronavirus pandemic. The filings rose to nearly 16,000 from a little less than 800 the week before. State Labor Commissioner John Albin says Nebraska's number shattered the previous state record of 4,003 in a single week.