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DCHD reports first community spread COVID-19 case

Posted at 5:52 PM, Mar 14, 2020
and last updated 2020-03-15 00:19:47-04

OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — The Douglas County Health Department (DCHD) reported the first local coronavirus case caused by community spread on Saturday evening.

According to the health department, the individual is a woman in her 60's whose case was reported on Friday as travel-related.

The DCHD's continuing investigation determined her symptoms actually appeared before she traveled and they are unsure of the origins.

A contact investigation has been done to inform individuals who came in contact with the woman, according to the health department.

In Douglas County, two additional travel cases have been confirmed. Those include a man in his 50's who had traveled to and from Spain and a man in his 30's who came to the community from Singapore.

Both men are in isolation but neither are hospitalized, according to the DCHD.

According to the health department, there are currently 14 cases of coronavirus in Douglas County and one additional possible case that there’s not enough information on yet.

All cases are travel-related besides the one community spread case announced Saturday.

There are two other cases state-wide.

The health department also advised the public of an additional possible low-level community exposure.

A confirmed travel case that was reported on Friday was at The Athletic Club located at 200 S. 31st Ave between 5:00 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. Thursday, March 12.

While this is a low-risk exposure, the DCHD asks anyone who may have been there at the time to self-monitor for 14 days -- meaning to take your temperature twice daily and watch for symptoms.

Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts said once there are two community spread cases, he will start working with public health and school officials to put additional closings in place.

Gov. Ricketts said gatherings of 20-50 people will only be allowed at that point. Law enforcement will get involved if any larger gatherings are reported.

Health officials said all cases in Nebraska are mild besides the one in the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit, adding that more tests for coronavirus are now available.

See a Facebook recording of Saturday's live stream below.

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