News release:

[Columbus, NE] –East-Central District Health Department (ECDHD) has confirmed the sixth case of COVID- 19 in Platte County and a fourth case in Colfax County. The two new cases bring the total number of confirmed positive cases in the four-county area to 10. Case investigation is ongoing at this time. An additional five cases in the jurisdiction are considered probable positive, including a previously reported confirmed positive in Nance County. Probable positives are treated as confirmed positive cases. More information will be shared as it becomes available.

Community spread has not been confirmed in the ECDHD four-county jurisdiction at this time, but persons should assume community spread and practice strict social distancing and adherence to the Directed Health Measures (DHM) for their counties. More information about the DHMs can be found at https://ecdhd.ne.gov/covid-2019-novel-coronavirus.html.

On Thursday, April 9, Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts announced the state’s “21 Days” Proclamation, declaring the next three weeks to be “21 Days to Stay Home and Stay Healthy.” It is expected that the COVID-19 virus will peak in Nebraska in the next several weeks. ECDHD joins with the Governor in urging all Nebraskans to follow these “6 Rules to Keep Nebraska Healthy”

1. Stay home. No non-essential errands and no social gatherings. Respect the ten-person limit.

2. Socially distance your work. Work from home or use the six-foot rule as much as possible in the workplace.

3. Shop alone and only shop once a week. Do not take family with you.

4. Help kids follow social distancing. Play at home. No group sports. And no playgrounds.

5. Help seniors stay at home by shopping for them. Do not visit long-term care facilities.

6. Exercise daily at home or with an appropriately socially-distanced activity. o Nebraskans have been doing a great job of complying with our social distancing directives.

The Governor also announced a new, state-wide directed health measure to bring greater consistency throughout the State. The new DHMs state that:

• All beauty/nail salons, barber shops, massage therapy services, “gentlemen’s” clubs, bottle clubs, indoor theaters, and tattoo parlors/studios are closed until April 30. In Columbus, these businesses will remain closed until May 15, as directed by the ECDHD DHM issued April 4.

• All organized team sports, youth and adult, including, but not limited to club sports, are suspended until May 31, 2020.

• Auto racing is now specifically listed in the social gathering section. Drivers and their crews are considered patrons/invitees, not staff, and must be counted in the 10 person rule.

All DHMs, both state and locally ordered, are in force over the Easter holiday weekend. It is absolutely vital to the health of every citizen in our city, state and county that these orders are followed to help “flatten the curve” of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stay Home. Stay Healthy. Stay Connected.