A second community-spread case of COVID-19 has been confirmed by the Douglas County Health Department (DCHD).
This means that the person did not come in contact with the virus while traveling or through contact to a known case of coronavirus.
The individual is a man in his 40s who is said to have developed his symptoms on March 11; he was hospitalized four days later on March 15 after suffering from a worsening cough and fatigue. He was tested for the virus on March 16, and on March 17 a positive result came back. According to DCHD, further investigation on March 18 confirmed the result.
The man has no travel history, is said to have few close contacts and has no public exposure. He and one additional household member are under self-quarantine.
Mayor Jean Stothert also put Omaha under a state of emergency for 72 hours. Omaha City Council has approved to extend the 72 hours of the proclamation for the state of emergency until summer. The proclamation will facilitate the ability of Stothert‘s office to take action to protect the health and safety of Omaha citizens.
Earlier Wednesday, Douglas County issued guidelines limiting public gatherings to no more than 10 people. Stothert says the guidelines are legally enforceable and includes places like tattoo shops, hair salons and other small businesses.
DCHD has also has confirmed three additional travel-related cases of COVID-19 in a woman in her 60s, a man in his 60s, and a man in his 40s. The county now has a total 23 confirmed cases of the disease.
"If you have COVID-19 symptoms, or develop symptoms, contact your health care provider and tell them how you are feeling," the health department encouraged. "Please notify them of any potential exposure to a confirmed case of the novel coronavirus. We ask that you call ahead before you go to the doctor's office or an emergency room."
