News
Notice From CCC-Columbus President Dr. Kathy Fuchser
March 7, 2020
Columbus Campus Community,
Please see the press release below from East Central Health Department. The Special Olympics basketball tournament discussed below may have been attended by individuals from the Columbus community. We ask that you follow the advice of these medical professionals if this situation pertains to you or your family.College Administration will continue to monitor this situation and keep you informed.
Kathy J. Fuchser, Columbus Campus President
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Chuck Sepers
Chief Public Health Officer
Phone (402) 562-8969
Email: [email protected]
DATE: 03-07-2020
TIME: 5:22 PM
[Columbus, NE] – East Central District Health Department (ECDHD) is closely monitoring possible contact that area residents may have had with a recently-confirmed COVID-19 patient from Omaha. This contact is believed to have occurred at a Special Olympics event held at the Fremont Family YMCA on February 29.
Out of an abundance of caution, State and local officials are asking area residents that basketball players, coaches, and team staff attending the event voluntarily self-quarantine for 7 days until Saturday, March 14. If no symptoms develop by that date, you may cease quarantine. If you are in the self-quarantine category, and a resident of Boone, Colfax, Platte, or Nance county, you are asked to call ECDHD at (402) 562-8960 (English) or (402) 562-8963 (Spanish).
Spectators of the event that did not participate as players, coaches, or coaching staff and are from Boone, Colfax, Platte, or Nance county, are considered to be at a minimum risk. State health officials do not advise self-quarantine for these individuals. However, ECDHD recommends that if spectators do develop respiratory symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath) between now and March 14, they call our office immediately using the numbers listed above.
ECDHD will continue to provide updates as they become available. As a reminder, here are a few things anyone can do to protect themselves from COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses:
- Avoid close contact with sick people and stay home if you are sick.
- Wash your hands with soap and water often for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water aren’t available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Cover your nose and mouth when you cough with your elbow or a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
If you have questions about COVID-19, please call our hotline.
- For English, please dial (402) 562-8960.
- For Spanish, please dial (402) 562-8963.