TCHS COVID-19 Update
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a rapidly spreading 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. Please be assured that Thayer County Health Services is working closely with Public Health Solutions to stay up to date on preventative measures and we are following current recommendations. As you may have heard, there have been multiple confirmed cases in Nebraska; however, as of March 16, 2020, it has not reached our community or surrounding areas.
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 2-14 days after exposure. Symptoms may include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing.
If you have recently traveled to China, Iran, Japan, South Korea, any European country, Seattle, Washington; the state of California, or New York City, New York and are not experiencing the above symptoms, please contact Public Health Solutions (402-826-3880) for further instructions on self-reporting your travels and next steps.
If you suspect you have been exposed to and/or are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, we ask that you please call ahead to Thayer County Health Services (402-768-4615) before arriving at the hospital to allow our healthcare providers to appropriately plan for your arrival. You will be given further instructions at that time.
Effective at 8:00 am 3/12/2020, in an effort to be proactive in preventative measures towards COVID-19 (coronavirus), TCHS is screening ALL patients upon arrival at the facility. If you are not feeling well, please call ahead to 402-768-4615 and proceed to the Emergency Room parking area. From there, a member of our staff will meet you and you will be screened and asked to provide a sample for testing.
For regularly scheduled clinic visits, please use the main south entrance. There you will be asked a few screening questions that will determine your check-in process. To protect our patients and staff, NO vendor representatives or visitors will be allowed in the facility, except under extenuating circumstances.
ATTENTION: Per Governor Ricketts’s recommendation that gyms close, effective at 6 p.m. 3/17/2020 the Korff Fitness & Wellness Center will be closed until further notice. All memberships will be put on hold and no refunds will be issued. If you have questions, please call 402-768-4320.
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 please 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
Public Health Solutions website http://phsneb.org/
