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Three new cases reported; rules to ease Monday
McCOOK, Neb. -- Despite three new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in the district, Southwest Nebraska is part of the state where some restrictions will be lifted Monday.
The Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department was notified of three new cases Wednesday, bringing the total to seven.
The new cases include:
• One Furnas County resident - A female in her 40s who is self-isolating at home, related to travel outside the health district.
• One Frontier County resident – A female in her 30s who is self-isolating at home, who had direct contact with case No. 4 from Red Willow County.
• One Hitchcock County resident – A male in his 60s who is self-isolating at home, and the investigation is still in process.
The health department is investigating contacts to help prevent further spread. All those with close contacts will be instructed to self-quarantine and will be actively monitored daily by public heal officials for symptoms.
The total is now three in Furnas, two in Red Willow, and one each in Frontier and Hitchcock counties.
Gov. Pete Ricketts announced plans to ease coronavirus restrictions in 10 public health districts, including SWPHD on May 4, and extend restrictions in three -- Lincoln-Lancaster, West Central and Three Rivers -- to May 11.
The new, lighter rules will allow salons, tattoo parlors and restaurant dining rooms to reopen with limits on the number of people who can be present. Restaurant employees will have to wear masks, and dining groups will have to be seated at least 6 feet apart. Day cares will be allowed to have up to 15 children per room.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated the list of signs and symptoms of COVID-19 to include:
Fever
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Chills or repeated shaking with chills
Muscle pain
Headache
Sore throat
New loss of taste or smell
What to do if you think you are sick:
Stay home if you feel ill. Most individuals who become ill will have mild to moderate symptoms that can be treated at home with pain and fever reducers like acetaminophen (Tylenol). It is the most helpful to remain at home and avoid spreading the virus to others.
Talk to your doctor. They will help you know if you should be tested for COVID-19. For those who experience more severe symptoms, call ahead to your medical provider before going into their office.
Know when it is ok to be around other people again. The CDC has provided the following guidance to know when to end home isolation and quarantine:
Home isolation ends when it has been at least 10 days since symptoms first appeared AND no fever for at least 72 hours (3 full days of no fever without fever reducing medicine) AND all other symptoms have improved (e.g., cough has improved).
After home isolation ends, all household members should continue quarantine for 7 days after case patient has been released from isolation AND then continue 7 more days with self-monitoring for symptoms (total of 14 days).
For general information on COVID-19 call the DHHS hotline at 402-552-6645, or visit the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services website at http://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx.
For more information on COVID-19 in southwest Nebraska, visit www.swhealth.ne.gov. You can also follow SWNPHD on Facebook and Twitter. SWNPHD serves Chase, Dundy, Frontier, Furnas, Hayes, Hitchcock, Keith, Perkins and Red Willow counties. SWNPHD is located at 404 West 10th St (1 block north of Arby’s) in McCook or at 501 Broadway in Imperial (5th St. entrance). 308-345-4223.