Coronavirus Disease Case Update

March 12th, 2020 | Chris Cottrell

LINCOLN – Local health departments are leading the community-level COVID-19 response with support from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

A high school student from Knox County located in Northeast Nebraska has tested positive for COVID-19 . The student has underlying health conditions and was transferred to the Biocontainment Unit at Nebraska Medicine/University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Local health departments and DHHS continue to identify people who came into close contact with the person to help prevent further spread. All identified close contacts will self-quarantine and be active monitored twice daily by public health officials for fever and respiratory symptoms.

Officials are constructing a solid history of where the person was, who the individual might have had contact with and when.

So far they’ve confirmed the student attended two games at the girls state high school basketball tournament on Thursday, March 5:

  • 9 a.m. Hartington/Weeping Water game at Lincoln Southwest High School, 7001 S. 14th Street.
  • 7 p.m. Crofton/Bancroft-Rosalie/Lyons-Decatur game at North Star High School, 5801 N. 33rd Street.

Officials also identified students and staff who attended Crofton Elementary School on March 10 as a potential exposure event.

If people were at these locations during the time frames mentioned, please contact your local health department for guidance and next steps.

Public health continues to take action to protect the health of Nebraskans and prevent the spread of disease.

People can help protect themselves from COVID-19 and other respiratory infections by:

  • Avoiding close contact with sick people and stay home if you are sick.
  • Washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water arent 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.

DHHS will continue to update Nebraskans through the DHHS website and on Facebook and Twitter as we have new information. The CDC’s website is also a good resource for COVID-19 information – https://www.cdc.gov/covid19.

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