Nebraska joined the list of states reporting deaths from COVID-19 last Friday.

A Douglas County man in his 50s and a Hall County woman in her 60s, both with underlying health conditions, died of the disease caused by the coronavirus.

Officials said that the Douglas County man had been self-isolated for days, while the Hall County woman was recently hospitalized and acquired the virus from community transmission.

“We send our condolences to both families,” said Dr. Gary Anthone, the state’s chief medical officer. “Unfortunately, from the beginning, we knew there would be deaths from COVID-19 in Nebraska, and this underscores the potential seriousness of the disease and the importance of the measures we’re taking as individuals and as a state to help slow the spread of the virus.”

Dr. Adi Pour, director of the Douglas County Health Department, warned that people with comorbidities – such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, hypertension and cancer – are at greater risk of developing complications.

“The family of this individual has our most sincere sympathies,” Pour said.

Gov. Pete Ricketts expressed condolences to the families.

“I encourage all Nebraskans to keep these families and all families impacted by coronavirus in their thoughts and prayers,” Ricketts said. “This is a reminder for all of us to practice the 10-person rule, exercise good hygiene, and to stay home if you’re displaying flu-like symptoms.”