Self-quarantine recommended after any travel outside of Panhandle

All who travel outside of the Nebraska panhandle should self-quarantine for 14 days once they’ve returned home, in order to limit the spread of COVID-19, according to the latest press release from Panhandle Public Health District.

“Returning travelers should assume that COVID-19 disease is present at the locations they have visited and traveled through and self-quarantine,” PPHD said.

Those who experience symptoms associated with COVID-19 should report to their health care provider or public health, they said.

Thursday, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services reported four more cases of the virus, two in Lincoln County, one in Nemaha County and another in Sarpy County. Nebraska’s total case count was 32 as of Thursday evening.

According to PPHD, self-quarantine means staying home from work, school and away from other public places. Individuals should carefully monitor their symptoms and stay in a specific room, away from other people in their homes. They also recommend using a separate bathroom if possible. PPHD also advises that those self-quarantining should clean surfaces that are often tough and avoid sharing personal items with others in the household.

Twenty-seven states, including Nebraska, are now classified by the Centers for Disease Control as having experienced community transmission. As recently as Sunday, that number was just three. As of Friday afternoon, the CDC reported the U.S. was up to 15,219 cases of COVID-19. They report 201 deaths. Cases have been reported in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Worldwide COVID-19 cases broke the 200,000 mark, Thursday, according to the World Health Organization. It took three months to reach the first 100,000 cases and just 12 days to reach the next 100,000, according to the WHO.

Most who are infected suffer only mild or moderate symptoms, but the elderly and people with existing health issues are at risk of sever illness. Over half of those infected worldwide have recovered. 

Though work has begun to discover a vaccine, scientists do not expect one to be developed for at least a year to 18 months. The CDC recommends the following as the best way to protect yourself and others from the virus:

-Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. Hand sanitizer containing at least 60 percent alcohol can also be used if soap and water are not readily available.

-Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community.
-Stay home if you are sick.

-Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or use the inside of your elbow. Throw used tissues in the trash. Immediately wash your hands or use hand sanitizer.

-Wear a facemask if you are sick and around other people, and before entering a healthcare provider’s office.

-If you are not sick, you do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick and they are unable to wear a facemask.

-Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily, including tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks. If surfaces are dirty, clean them using detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.