Area residents taking precautions to avoid COVID-19

HARTINGTON — As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) spreads, area schools, churches, nursing homes and hospitals are making sure they do what they can to keep the virus from spreading here.

The first case of Coronavirus was reported in Nebraska on Friday.

An Omaha woman contracted the disease while traveling in the United Kingdom with her father. Since then, the woman’s father and one other family member have also been diagnosed with the virus.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the virus could now spread within communities among people who have not traveled to China, Italy and other sites.

As a precaution the Arbor Care nursing home facility is telling family members of nursing home residents that family visitations are being limited.

Fr. Owen Korte told parishioners at Holy Trinity and St. Micheal’s Catholic churches over the weekend that area residents need to take extra caution because of the coronavirus.

The Catholic Mass usually involves shaking hands while giving “the sign of peace.”

Fr. Korte asked parishioners to forgo that tradition and instead give a little wave instead of a handshake. “We’re calling it the Corona Wave,” he said.

Huge jugs of hand sanitizer have also been placed in the church entry way so parishioners can use them before entering the church.

HNS Supt. A.J. Johnson said school administrators are now in the process of putting together an information sheet for students to take home to their parents.

“We are currently working on a worse case scenario,” Johnson said. “We will be sending some information home with students about what we might do.”

The Hartington Avera Medical Clinic is also making sure patients are aware of the Coronavirus.

Avera is closely monitoring the progress of the virus, even though the region served by Avera has not yet had a confirmed case of the virus, said Jawad Nazir, MD, with Avera Medical Group Infectious Disease Specialists.

To ensure they are prepared, along with health systems across the country, Avera is following established protocols and is implementing additional precautions to protect patients, employees and communities, he said.

“We know that COVID-19 is highly transmissible, meaning that it can spread from person to person within a community. With confirmed cases elsewhere in the United States, we must be prepared for that situation when the virus may reach our area. Guidance from the CDC tells us that the risk to our communities in the U.S. is low. Yet, we as a health system are being vigilant to ask travel history questions and be prepared to identify, isolate and inform should a patient present with symptoms,” Nazir said.

Avera is also planning for how they will care for possible cases of the virus, and they are establishing task forces to inventory needed supplies and equipment.

The CDC offers the following tips to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are not available.

If you are feeling sick, follow the tips below to keep from spreading respiratory illness to others.

• Stay home when you are sick.

• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.