South Heartland Health District reports first Omicron case

HASTINGS, Neb. -- Another Nebraska health district is reporting its first confirmed case of the Omicron variant.

The South Heartland Health District, based out of Hastings, reported its first official case. It was reported from someone who had traveled outside of the state last month. Their symptoms were reportedly mild.

Health officials had said they expected Omicron cases to begin popping up more in Nebraska after the state's first reported cases last month in southeast Nebraska.

Officials say evidence demonstrates that the Omicron variant is more contagious than the Delta variant and that vaccination is still protecting against severe illness.