Updated: March 12, 2020
Travelers or Persons with Potential Exposure to a COVID-19 case
If you traveled to an at-risk country for COVID-19 per CDC travel advisories or have been potentially exposed, please complete this survey.
If you are SICK and develop a fever, cough, or have difficulty breathing, seek medical care right away.
- Call ahead before going to see a doctor or emergency room.
- Tell them your symptoms and which country you visited or your potential exposure and when.
If you have other questions regarding COVID-19, please contact your Local Health Department.
Overview
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and its partners continue to track the unfolding outbreak of respiratory illness caused by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and anticipate its impact on Nebraska and its health care system.
Nebraska now has a total of three cases – one travel-related and two who are family members of the first case. Public health officials haven't identified COVID-19 spreading in Nebraska communities at this time.
COVID-19 illnesses have ranged from mild to severe. Recent data shows older adults and people with underlying health conditions are more likely to be severely impacted by coronavirus disease 2019.
As the state's public health authority, our main priority is ensuring the health of Nebraskans and DHHS and local health departments are leading the response. All of us have a role to play in this response and we continue to urge Nebraskans to prepare, if they haven't already. We want to be prepared now and for what's to come. Here are resources to help.
Nebraska Case Information
- Total number of cases – 10
- Confirmed – 1
- Presumptive positive – 9
- Cases undergoing further testing at the Nebraska Public Health Lab - 33
- Cases that tested negative – 80
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
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.
Coronavirus Disease 2019: General Information
Take Action: Tools and Resources
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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