OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — Three new cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Douglas County, bringing the county total to 26.
The Douglas County Health Department (DCHD) said the cases are from individuals who recently returned from areas in the Southeastern United States where COVID-19 is circulating. They are two men in their 40s and a woman in her 30s. All three individuals were tested earlier this week and confirmed March 18 or 19. None have been hospitalized.
The cases are said to have resulted from travel from different areas and are not related. Douglas County now has 26 confirmed cases of the disease.
New guidance has been provided for people who have been asked to self-isolate at home due to symptoms of COVID-19 or a confirmed diagnosis. They have been asked to remain in isolation at least three days after their fever has ended without the use of fever-reducing medications and if their symptoms have improved. It also must be seven days since a diagnosis.
Community exposures may have occurred at the following times and locations:
- Nebraska Furniture Mart. 700 South 72nd Street, Sunday, March 15 from 2-5 p.m.
- Pearle Vision Center, 147th and West Maple, Monday, March 16 from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.,
- At Home Store, 130th and West Center, Monday, March 16 from 4:30 - 6:00 p.m.
The Health Department is advising that with the development of community spread in Douglas County, precautions to avoid becoming infected with COVID-19 need to be taken everywhere, not just in locations listed as having the potential for exposure.
The DCHD also said it feels that it is important to note that many people who are sick have mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. The CDC reports that four out of five people who have become ill acquired the disease from someone who didn’t know they had it.
"That means there are likely many more people in the community who are infected with COVID-19 than have been reported," the county said in a press release. "Please increase your awareness of COVID-19 symptoms, which include a fever, cough, sore throat, or difficulty breathing. If you have COVID-19 symptoms, or develop symptoms, contact your health care provider and tell them how you are feeling. 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."
