Updated: March 24, 2020
DHHS COVID-19 Information Line
(402) 552-6645
8AM - 8PM CST - 7 Days a Week
Recommendations for Travelers
Updated Public Health Recommendations for Travelers
- All returning travelers, from any international or domestic location, should assume that COVID-19 disease is present at the locations they have visited and traveled through.
- All returning travelers, from any international or domestic location, should limit public interactions, practice strict social distancing, and self-monitor for symptoms.
- Returning travelers from regions with widespread sustained transmission (e.g., CDC Level 3 countries - https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices#alert - plus U.S. locales such as Seattle, WA; New York City; and Santa Clara County, CA) should immediately self-quarantine. Regions with widespread sustained transmission should be identified from CDC, state, and local public health websites and from media sources.
- IF a returning traveler develops fever or respiratory illness, they need to IMMEDIATELY self-isolate and report to a healthcare provider or local health department.
- Individuals unable to observe the 14-day self-quarantine should consult with their local health department about appropriate actions.
- Every health care worker who returns from travel should consult with a trained medical professional at their facility (e.g., infection preventionist or physician) and establish a specific infection control protocol (e.g., home quarantine, self-monitoring, PPE while at work) that mitigates patient and co-worker exposures.
Overview
For most Nebraskans, COVID-19 will be like a cold, however this illness is anything but the common cold or flu. For our parents and grandparents, it could be very severe, and could result in death. Recent data shows that the virus is also affecting younger people. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report said 20% of those hospitalized for COVID-19 in the U.S. were 20-44 years old. Even if you're healthy, you can pass COVID-19 on to people who could be severely affected. Help protect those you love by avoiding crowds, distancing yourself from other people and isolating yourself even if you think you just have a case of the sniffles.
Community transmission is now identified in the metro area. Community transmission is when people have COVID-19 but public health officials can't identify how or where they became infected.
Flatten the Curve
Flattening the curve
We want to slow the spread of disease in our communities. By doing that, our hospitals and clinics won't be overwhelmed and can continue to provide care to families, friends and neighbors who need it. Flattening the curve means everybody does their part to reduce spread of COVID-19 for as long as possible. If we slow it down enough, our hospitals might just be able to keep up.
Slowing the spread
As Nebraskans, we face our challenges together and we all have a role to play this response. Staying home and staying away from groups of people will slow the spread of the virus and save lives. Here's what being done in Nebraska and what you can do right now to protect yourself, your family and your community:
Community measures:
- Practice social distancing which means put at least 6 feet of space between you and others.
- Follow 10-person gathering limit guidance
- Social and public gatherings are limited to 10 people.
- Bars and restaurants are limited to 10 people and are strongly encouraged to move to drive thru, take-out, delivery only.
- Child care providers should also follow the 10-person guidance with the goal of reducing class sizes and increasing space between children.
- Grocery stores will continue operations but should prioritize ordering, pickup, and delivery.
With community transmission of COVID-19 now occurring in the metro area, stricter and enforceable directed health measures are now in place for Cass, Douglas, Sarpy and Washington Counties.
Personal measures:
- Stay home if you are sick and avoid contact with sick people
- Washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water aren't available, use an alcohol-based sanitizer.
- Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Higher risk groups
Certain people are at higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19 including older adults and people who have serious chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes and lung disease.
People in these higher-risk groups should:
- Stock up on supplies, including extra necessary medications.
- Take everyday precautions to keep space between yourself and others.
- When you go out in public, keep away from others who are sick, limit close contact and wash your hands often.
- Avoid crowds as much as possible.
- Avoid cruise travel and non-essential air travel.
- If there is a COVID-19 outbreak in your community, stay home as much as possible to further reduce your risk of being exposed.
Nebraska Case Information
- Total number of cases – 61
- Cases that tested negative – 1,304*
- *Numbers now include negative results from NPHL and commercial labs
Both 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.
The federal government led an effort to bring Americans who had been on a cruise ship docked off the coast of Japan to Nebraska for further monitoring, testing and treatment if needed. DHHS is in a supportive role and working closely with federal, state and local partners. The University of Nebraska Medical Center/Nebraska Medicine website has additional details available.
News Releases
Protect Yourself and Others (guidance documents)
Nebraskans can help protect themselves from COVID-19 and other respiratory infections by:
- 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.
- Follow the same family plans and kits that people may use for flu season or severe weather season.
Guidance Documents
Take Action: Tools and Resources
(All outside links open in a NEW browser window)
Nebraska's Response
Nebraska public health is taking action to address this threat. Here's what we're doing:
- Sharing the latest guidance and information with local health departments, hospitals, health care providers, first responders and local and state labs through our extensive Health Alert Network to ensure a well-coordinated response in Nebraska.
- Engaging in active and ongoing communication with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other state and federal partners as part of the overall national response to this emerging public health threat.
- Reviewing and enhancing response plans to be ready for the detection of this virus in our state.
- Facilitating confirmatory testing, isolation and monitoring of Nebraskans experiencing symptoms to identify cases as soon as possible.
- Updating dhhs.ne.gov with the latest information and resources.
- With our local health department partners, we have a system in place to track and monitor people who have contact with a confirmed case in an effort to immediately detect secondary cases and minimize the potential for ongoing, undetected, person-to-person transmission.
DHHS, local health departments, hospitals, first responders and other local, state and federal agencies have been partners in preparedness for more than 15 years. Preparedness planning and response never stops and continues to be a priority. Our goal is to protect Nebraskans and prevent the spread of disease.
Read a letter from the DHHS CEO about the agency response.
Contact the CDC
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Information Line
800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636)
TTY (888) 232-6348
Hours
Monday–Friday
7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. CT (English and Spanish)
Extended hours for coronavirus disease 2019 questions only
Saturday – Sunday
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. CT (English)
You can also submit a question to CDC Info via email.
CDC Information