(KLZA)-- Governor Pete Ricketts said during a press conference Wednesday that the crest of the COVID-19 pandemic may not hit Nebraska for a few more weeks.  

It's anticipated the peak in Nebraska will arrive in late April or very early May.  The Governor urged everyone to follow the guidelines laid out to help stop the spread of the virus. 

The Governor says Nebraskans should stay home but also be watching out for their neighbors.  He suggested only essential trips away from home and limiting trips to the grocery store to once a week.

He also suggested checking on your neighbors and older folks who may have underlying health conditions and may need someone to go to the store for them.

During a Richardson County Board of Health teleconference Wednesday, Southeast District Health Department Executive Director Grant Brueggemann agreed with that time frame the Governor talked about and said its possible in extreme Southeast Nebraska, it may take a week or two longer to reach the peak.