Updated: March 18, 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
1. All returning travelers, from any international or domestic location, might have an increased risk of exposure to COVID-19.
2. All returning travelers, from any international or domestic location, should limit public interactions, practice strict social-distancing, and self-monitor for symptoms.
3. IF a returning traveler develops fever or respiratory illness, they need to IMMEDIATELY self-isolate and report to a provider or local health department.
4. Returning travelers need to know the COVID-19 disease burden in locations visited and traveled through. This information can be found on local/state public health and media websites.
5. Areas 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, Westchester County, NY, Santa Clara County, CA) are at increased risk and of special concern. Such travelers should self-quarantine for 14 days and immediately report any symptoms consistent with COVID-19 infection to their health care provider. Individuals unable to observe the 14-day self-quarantine should consult with their local health department about appropriate actions.
6. Local health care workers with a travel history from an area with widespread sustained transmission or other high-risk exposure should consider self-quarantine for 14 days and monitor symptoms. If because of a shortage of personnel or a particular expertise, please consult with a trained medical professional at their facility (e.g. infection preventionist or physician) and adhere to established an infection control protocols (e.g. home quarantine, self-monitoring, PPE while at work etc.) that mitigates patient and co-worker exposures.
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.
COVID-19 cases are now being reported in Nebraska. Case numbers are listed below. Public health officials have identified one case of COVID-19 spreading in Nebraska communities at this time and are monitoring for a second case.
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 – 24
- Cases that tested negative – 206
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.
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