FREMONT, Neb. (KMTV) — Health officials are asking those who participated in the Special Olympics basketball tournament at the Fremont YMCA on Feb. 29 to self-quarantine due to coronavirus precautions.
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) says they are investigating a possible exposure to coronavirus at the Fremont YMCA, located at 810 Lincoln Ave.
A 36-year-old female with a presumptive positive case of coronavirus participated in the basketball tournament on Feb. 29. The Special Olympics event was from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Officials ask any players, coaches and team staff who were there to self-quarantine until Saturday, March 14.
“We’re asking for basketball players, coaches, and team staff who participated this event on February 29, 2020 to either self-report to the Nebraska public health online system at http://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx [icm-tracking.meltwater.com] or contact their local health department for guidance and next steps. Informing the local health department is the most direct way to ensure timely medical care if needed and to minimize the potential risk to others.” said Dr. Gary Anthone, Chief Medical Officer and Director of Public Health for DHHS. A map of Nebraska's local health departments can be found here at http://dhhs.ne.gov/CHPM%20Maps/NE_Health_Dept_Map_Dec_2016.pdf [icm-tracking.meltwater.com].
The DHHS says symptoms of coronavirus can appear 2-14 days after exposure. The most common symptoms are:
- Fever of greater than 100.4F
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficult breathing
Spectators of the event and others who were at the YMCA that same day are at much lower risk than the direct participants. The DHHS says non-participating individuals can self-monitor and contact local health departments or their healthcare provider if symptoms develop.