Northeast Nebraska Public Health Department Press Release

For Immediate Release:  Media in Cedar, Dixon, Thurston and Wayne Counties

Date:  April 27, 2020

Contact:  Julie Rother

Email Address:  julie@nnphd.org

First Cases of COVID-19 in Cedar County

Northeast Nebraska Public Health Department (NNPHD) received five positive cases of confirmed COVID-19 within the health district today;  two of those are the first cases of COVID-19 for Cedar County.  The patients reported today are 3 males and two females;  two are under age 20 and one each in their 20's, 30's and 40's.  Public health investigations have begun to identify close contacts of the persons who are ill in order to ensure quarantine and isolation measures are being taken and to investigate the sources of exposure.

As of Monday evening, 04/27/2020, there have been 212 COVID-19 tests reported for people living in the NNPHD Health District of Cedar, Dixon, Thurston, and Wayne Counties.  The results of these tests includes 12 positive cases (Cedar - 2, Dixon - 5, Thurston - 3, and Wayne County -2), 189 negatives, and 11 tests currently pending results.  Julie Rother, Health Director in NNPHD, stressed, "We need to consider that anyone could be infectious with the virus, even those who do not have symptoms.  Please remember to use good social distancing practices such as wearing a face mask and maintaining at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and others when you are out in public.  Limit the number of trips you make to the store and only send one person to purcahsed needed items."

You can stay up to date with the Coronavirus situation on the CDC website at https://www.cdc.gov/.  Nebraska DHHS has a COVID-19 call in line where you can get your questions answered about the virus.  The phone line operates from 8 am to 8 pm, seven days were week, 402-552-6645.  Follow NNPHD on Facebook to get the latest local testing numbers and results or visit our website for local updates www.nnphd.org.