Hospital releases statement on virus
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that was first identified in Wuhan, China.
It has since spread to several other countries, including the United States.
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and its public health partners continue to closely track COVID-19. Thayer County Health Services is working closely with Public Health Solutions to stay up to date and following current recommendations.
As people may have heard, there are confirmed cases in Nebraska; however, it has not reached the Hebron community or surrounding areas at this time.
Current knowledge on how COVID-19 spreads suggests person-to-person spread that occurs mainly via respiratory droplets produced when an ill person coughs or sneezes (similar to influenza and other respiratory illnesses).
Symptoms of COVID-19 can range from mild to severe and may appear within two to 14 days after exposure. Symptoms may include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing.
Anyone who has recently traveled to China, Italy, Iran, South Korea, Hong Kong, or Japan and are not experiencing the above symptoms, contact Public Health Solutions (402-826-3880) for further instructions on self-reporting travels and the next steps.
Anyone who has been exposed to and/or are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, the hospital asks they call ahead to Thayer County Health Services (402-768-4615) before arriving to allow healthcare providers to appropriately plan for arrival. Potential patients will be given further instructions at that time.
There are currently no vaccines available to protect against this virus. The CDC recommends the following ways to minimize the spread of all respiratory illness, including COVID-19:
•Staying home if you are sick and avoiding close contact with those who are sick.
•Washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based sanitizer.
•Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
•Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze then throw the tissue in the trash.
•Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
For additional questions concerning how TCHS is prepared for COVID-19, call (402) 768-6041.
Additional resources for information on COVID-19 are available at:
Thayer County Health Service’s dedicated webpage https://thayercountyhealth.com/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/; CDC’s dedicated website https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html; and Public Health Solutions website http://phsneb.org/.
