DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nebraska - Douglas County Health Department Director Dr. Adi Pour provided an update on preparations for COVID-19.
As of Thursday, there are more than 82,000 cases of COVID-19 worldwide. The United States has confirmed 60 cases with no deaths and the CDC has said it expects more U.S. cases.
Dr. Pour says, "We have been actively monitoring travelers from China. Just over last night we got more than 35 travelers who reported to the health department. We monitor and talk to those individuals to see what the potential risk level is for them. So far, as we have heard, none have become ill. However, the Health Department will continue monitoring travelers in hopes this aggressive containment strategy will delay production of the virus in our community."
Douglas County Health Department and the CDC want Americans to prepare for the rapidly changing course of this outbreak and potential community spread. Families need to look at their plans such as those for flu outbreaks, tornadoes, and floods.
That means you should have at least a two-week supply of food, bottled water, and medicine on hand.
DCHD has been in emergency planning mode for weeks, setting up a structure to address the department’s role in a response. The Health Department has been in contact with local, state and federal partners, including the CDC, to get ready. Our colleagues at UNMC and Nebraska Medicine have worked hand-in-hand on many of these issues.
So far DCHD has:
· Activated the COVID-19 information line at (402) 444-3400.
· Established an Incident Management Team and assigned duties for operational periods.
· Increased communications with federal, state and local partners.
· Monitored travelers who have returned from China.
· Communicated with local physicians on awareness and treatment options.
· Reviewed pandemic plans from previous outbreaks.
· Reached out to schools and businesses to provide assistance with planning.
“Our website and social media platforms will continue to provide the best and most current information,” Dr. Pour said. “The DCHD team is prepared to work with our partners to help our community through this.”C
COVID-19 symptoms include a fever, cough, and shortness of breath. They may appear as soon as two days or as long as 14 days following exposure. Illnesses have ranged from mild to no symptoms to others experiencing severe illness and a small percentage of those who become ill have died.