Central District Health Department (CDHD) reports a total of 425 lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases as of 2:00 p.m. today. The total number of lab-confirmed cases is 65 greater than yesterday’s report of 360 cases.
Two Rivers Public Health Department is reporting current daily numbers. We need to rectify the total yesterday. One individual reported was classified as a suspected case from Phelps County and not a confirmed laboratory positive, bringing our number for April 16th, to 74. The district is reporting 85 total cases today, April 17th. TRPHD is investigating further into all cases. Additional laboratory confirmations include six (6) Dawson County residents; three (3) Buffalo County residents: two (2) Gosper County residents:
Dawson County
- 1 female in her 20s
- 1 female in her 40s
- 1 male in his 40s
- 1 male in his 50s
- 1 male in his 60s
- 1 female in her 90s
Gosper County
- 1 female in her 60s
- 1 male in his 50s
Buffalo County
- 1 female in her 20s
- 1 female in her 50s
- 1 male in his 90s
A member at Central Nebraska Veterans’ Home first tested positive for COVID-19 on April 10. The facility worked with Two Rivers Public Health Department to complete testing of all teammates and members who may have come into contact with that member. No additional members tested positive. Three teammates have tested positive. These results have been included in daily reporting of district cases to protect the anonymity of members and teammates at the facility, yielding no additional confirmed positive cases to report in the district.
Two Rivers Public Health Department continues to partner with local businesses and facilities to perform enhanced surveillance testing locally. Enhanced surveillance testing allows public health to determine the presence of COVID-19 within specific communities or fields of employment in our district providing the data to improve decision-making regarding measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Testing remains available to members of the public at the discretion of healthcare providers. Individuals are more likely to obtain testing if they are critical essential infrastructure staff, a direct contact of a laboratory confirmed case, a healthcare worker, a first responder, or persons aged 65+. TRPHD continues to advise our citizens to stay home when experiencing illness, and to seek medical care when necessary. If you are unsure whether you might need medical care, please use one of the following methods to make that determination: 1-Check COVID (developed by UNMC), CDC Coronavirus Self Checker, or telehealth provided by CHI or insurance.
Gov. Ricketts’: Six Rules to Keep Nebraska Healthy
- Stay home. No non-essential errands and no social gatherings. Respect the ten-person limit.
- Socially distance your work. Work from home or use the six-foot rule as much as possible in the workplace.
- Shop alone and only shop once a week. Do not take family with you.
- Help kids follow social distancing. Play at home. No group sports. And no playgrounds.
- Help seniors stay at home by shopping for them. Do not visit long-term care facilities.
- Exercise daily at home or with an appropriately socially-distanced activity.
Nebraskans have been doing a great job of complying with our social distancing directives.
These six rules will unite Nebraskans in our shared goal of slowing the spread of the virus as we enter its peak period.
DHHS opened a statewide coronavirus (COVID-19) information line to help answer general questions and share the latest information and resources with Nebraskans to help keep them informed. The number is (402) 552-6645; hours of operation are 8 a.m.-8 p.m. CST, 7 days a week. For more information call Two Rivers Public Health Department at (888) 669-7154 or visit www.trphd.org.
*State and local health departments are testing and publicly reporting their cases. In the event of a discrepancy between DHHS cases and cases reported by local public health officials, data reported by the local health department should be considered the most up to date. Also, if a case is reported and it’s determined the person isn’t a resident of that particular county, it will be moved to the appropriate county. If it’s determined a person isn’t a resident of Nebraska, the case will be removed from the case count.
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This article combines news releases from the Central District Health Department and Two Rivers Public Health Department.