Look who's inside again: What COVID-19 is like in 2022

Things are returning to life’s normal groove. People are going to classes and work and reconnecting with friends. However, the thing that can put a stop to all of that is still COVID-19. 

On January 18, there was a reported record of 1,126 cases of COVID-19 in Lancaster County. On average we had 873 new cases on a daily basis. Cases have continued to rise. In total, there have been 62,169 cases of COVID-19 and 376 deaths related to COVID-19 in our county alone.

There are more virus variants in Lincoln than just the big three: Alpha, Delta and Omicron. These variants have much lower numbers, affecting only specific members of the community.

Within Nebraska, 2.95 million doses of the vaccine have been distributed with 1.17 million people being completely vaccinated with both shots and the booster. This brings the Nebraskan population to a 60.6% vaccination rate.

Within just a few miles of Union are four different testing sites that provide rapid tests. The closest is the one on campus, open from 10:00 to 10:30 in the morning right across from Campus Health. There is also one on south 56th street and one on O street.

By TJ Pittenger