Douglas County Health Center confirms seven new cases of COVID-19

As of April 14, 2020, the Douglas County Health Center has seven new COVID-19 positive cases – five residents
and two employees.

Since March 29, 2020, the Health Center has had 32 positive COVID-19 cases in total – 20 long term careresidents and 12 employees, including the two residents who have passed away. Nine of the residents are currently
isolated in their rooms at the Health Center and are in stable condition. An additional nine residents arehospitalized.

Erin Nelson, administrator of Douglas County Health Center, said she continues to be optimistic the virus iscontained to two areas of the Health Center. “We will be installing additional negative airflow machines on Thursday for precautionary purposes,” Nelson said. “We continue to test any symptomatic employee or resident and we are isolating any resident returning from the hospital for 14 days to help prevent any unintended COVID-19 cross-contamination.”
Nelson said she’s grateful for the employees at the Health Center who continue to go above and beyond during these difficult times. She said there have also been fewer COVID-19-related call-ins by nursing staff.
Some of the staff members who have tested positive are in isolation at home while others have fully recovered.

To show appreciation to the employees, a large yard greeting was set up on the lawn of the Health Center Tuesday afternoon. The sign reads, “Heroes Work Here.” “We just wanted all of our hardworking staff at the Health Center to know we are so proud of them,” said Douglas County Commissioner Mary Ann Borgeson. “They have a very tough job and they have stuck in there like
champions. We wanted to give them a boost and show them they are heroes.”

About Douglas County Health Center
Douglas County Health Center, located at 4102 Woolworth Ave. in Omaha, has proudly been serving the community for more than 125 years. Douglas County Health Center building is home to 235 long term care
residents, the Community Mental Health Center, and the Douglas County Primary Health Care Clinic.

UPDATE APRIL 14

The Douglas County Health Department (DCHD) announced 10 additional COVID-19 cases on Saturday, bringing the county total to 283 cases since the outbreak began.

The latest cases involve five women and five men, ranging in age from 29 to 92. 

One of the newly diagnosed people are hospitalized, according to the health department.

Five of the new cases came in contact with a known case, three were community-acquired, one was travel-related and one case is being investigated.

The health department continues to urge social distancing and asks those going out in public to wear a mask.

“These next two weeks are a critical period in our response to COVID-19,” Health Director Dr. Adi Pour said. “We need you to support the efforts to stop COVID-19.”

DCHD’s information line remains open daily at 402-444-3400 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Additionally, Nebraska DHHS has an information line open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 402-552-6645.

Calls are taken 24 hours a day at the United Way’s information line (2-1-1).