Testing for the coronavirus has been rationed as cases continue to grow in Nebraska, including outside the Omaha metro area.

Officials have said Nebraska has limited access to testing, as does the rest of the nation. State labs have the capacity to run more tests, but not access to the necessary materials for broad testing.

Public health officials control the protocol for testing, and it’s been largely limited to those who are hospitalized or facing serious complications. Typically, patients are being tested for influenza and other ailments before COVID-19.

“We are trying to test those who are at highest risk at this time,” Dr. Adi Pour told the Douglas County Board of Health on Wednesday morning.

Private lab testing was overwhelmed last week, she said. A negative result isn’t enough to fully rule out COVID-19 either.

“Testing is not a panacea,” said Pour, the director of the Douglas County Health Department. “For you to be assured that you do not have COVID-19, there would have to be ongoing testing.”