New phase of DHMs; CCH gives overview of coronavirus resources

News release:

(COLUMBUS, Neb.) – Starting Monday, June 22, Nebraska will enter a new phase of the COVID-19 situation as more relaxed Directed Health Measures (DHMs) go into effect. In a press conference announcing these new DHMs, Gov. Pete Ricketts said they are part of a step-by-step approach the state is taking to loosen restrictions while still ensuring the state’s health care system is stable.

In terms of local health care resources, Columbus Community Hospital continues to be able to care for its COVID-19 patients or persons of interest (PUIs) in addition to its regular patient load. Beginning this week, it will also increase its COVID-19 testing capacity by becoming a Test Nebraska testing site. 

Though CCH continues to be in a good position and restrictions are being reduced statewide, community members are still encouraged to follow basic COVID-19 safety precautions and carefully weigh the risks of participating in newly opened activities.

 

New Directed Health Measures

The state of Nebraska implemented its first DHMs in March and since then the measures have been continually revised. In recent weeks, the restrictions have been eased as Nebraska’s health care system has been able to deal with its COVID-19 cases.

Starting on May 4, the state began phase 1 of its reopening process and on June 1 most Nebraska counties entered phase 2 of that process. On June 22, 89 of Nebraska’s 93 counties – including those within CCH’s service area – will move into phase 3.

The phase 3 DHMs include the following reduced restrictions:

·         All restrictions on elective surgeries will be removed

·         Restaurants and bars can open their dining rooms to 100% capacity, with a maximum of eight people per table

·         Indoor gathering venues will be allowed to serve up to 50% of their rated occupancy

·         Outdoor gathering venues will be allowed to serve up to 75% of their rated occupancy

·         Gyms, fitness centers and health clubs will be able to serve up to 75% of their rated occupancy

·         Barber shops, salons, massage therapy services and body art facilities will be able to open up to 75% of their rated occupancy while both workers and patrons wear masks

·         Group gatherings will be limited to no more than eight people

·         Maintaining six feet of separation between groups will become guidance, rather than a mandate

·         Fan attendance at youth and school games is no longer limited to household members only

 

For additional information on the new DHMs, visit the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) website at http://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/COVID-19-Directed-Health-Measures.aspx.

 

Local Cases and Available Resources

As of June 20, the East Central District Health Department (ECDHD) was reporting the following number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and recoveries:

·         Boone: 7 cases, 7 recoveries

·         Colfax: 655 cases, 636 recoveries

·         Nance: 4 cases, 4 recoveries

·         Platte: 652 cases, 634 recoveries

 

The ECDHD also announced on June 20 that the positivity rate and the seven-day average of positive cases is continuing to improve in the health district.

As of June 16, CCH has only five patients utilizing its negative pressure rooms and it recently opened its third operating room this week to allow for more elective surgeries.

CCH maintains the necessary resources to provide COVID-19 testing through the Nebraska Public Health Lab, Abbott, LabCorp and Regional Pathology Services. So far, CCH has collected 2,288 specimens to test for COVID-19. Of those, 1,608 specimens have been negative and 667 of them have been positive. Thirteen specimens were pending as of June 16.

Additionally, CCH has been partnering with local businesses and agencies to do COVID-19 screenings at their locations. For example, CCH staff have done COVID-19 screening and temperature checks at area manufacturing plants as well as the courthouse. They will also provide these screenings for people attending exhibitions at the Platte county and Colfax county fairs.

 

CCH Becomes a Test Nebraska Site

Beginning the week of June 29, CCH will no longer be offering its drive-thru screening and assessment service. Instead, it will become a permanent Test Nebraska site and will begin offering COVID-19 testing through this outdoor location.

Test appointments will be available Monday through Saturday. People interested in being tested will need to register online at TestNebraska.com. After people register through Test Nebraska, they will receive a QR code and assigned a testing appointment. From there, they will go to CCH’s outdoor testing site to receive the nasopharyngeal test for COVID-19. The collection of the sample takes roughly five minutes.

Test Nebraska is a partnership between the state government and private companies to increase access to COVID-19 testing. The initiative was launched in April and though tests were initially limited to those in high-risk groups, testing is now available to everyone.

Visit TestNebraska.com or TestNebraska/es in Spanish for more information.

 

Continued Safety Precautions and a Return to Activities

Though the state is loosening some of its DHMs and CCH is starting to reopen its services, COVID-19 safety precautions are still needed. The ECDHD area, including Columbus, continues to see new cases of COVID-19.  With that in mind, people should continue to follow the recommended safety precautions including frequent handwashing, avoiding large groups of people, wearing a mask in public and keeping six feet of distance from other people.

In terms of its own safety precautions, CCH is continuing to require masks for all of its staff, visitors and patients and the visitor restrictions announced on April 3 are still in effect. For a full list of these restrictions, visit the hospital’s website.

As more services and businesses open up, people should get the facts on COVID-19 from reliable sources to help them accurately determine the risk of certain activities. Reliable sources include CCH, ECDHD, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and DHHS.

Community members are also encouraged to seek guidance from their health care providers on how they can take the appropriate measures to protect themselves and their families. Though COVID-19 infection causes only a mild illness in some, it can make others very ill and can even be fatal. Older people as well as those with preexisting medical conditions are at greater risk, so it is very important for them to stay informed on COVID-19 and carefully weigh the risks of returning to activities.

For more information on COVID-19, how you can reduce its spread or how CCH is handling the situation, visit the “Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information and Resources for Community Members” page on www.columbushosp.org.

The ECDHD COVID-19 information line at 402-562-8960 is also available Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For general information about COVID-19, people can dial 211 or call the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services COVID-19 Information Line at 402-552-6645.