A 25-bed hospital is selling blood 
tests it says will tell people if they have COVID-19 immunity, but 
public health officials say that's not what the tests do.

By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-04-17/a-small-kansas-hospital-bought-its-own-coronavirus-tests-but-state-officials-say-it-only-detects-colds">Kansas News Service</a>

LAWRENCE — Herington Municipal Hospital got fed up 
with long waits for lab results that would tell its patients with 
respiratory symptoms whether they have the novel coronavirus.

So 
when a sales representative called the 25-bed hospital in rural central 
Kansas offering tests that produce results in less than half an hour, 
Herington ordered 500.

“We answered the phone on the right day,” CEO Isabel Schmedemann said in an interview this week. “I wish we had ordered more.”

One hundred people in her community have already come in for the test.

“They want answers,” she said. “They want to know. And they’re scared.”

Amid
 a pandemic that has hospitalized hundreds of Kansans and killed more 
than 80, supply shortages have slowed typical COVID-19 nose swab tests 
and health providers have scrambled to find solutions.

But public 
health officials around the world worry that desperation to access 
testing could open the way for unproven products that give patients a 
false sense of safety — putting them in greater danger.

Herington Hospital’s rollout of new blood-based tests triggered swift action from state and local health officials.

On
 its website, the hospital advertises the technology as approved by the 
state. “It tells you if you have immunity,” the hospital claims.

Wrong
 on both counts, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment says. 
Attempts to convince the hospital of the test’s problems over the phone 
weren’t successful, the agency says.

State health secretary Lee 
Norman said he would alert other hospitals and labs around the state to 
concerns about the tests. He warned the public in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GovLauraKelly/videos/214325436538782/" target="_blank">a press conference</a>
 viewed by tens of thousands of people on Facebook that many antibody 
tests — meant to show a patient’s exposure to a virus — don’t 
necessarily tell people what they want to know.

People who test 
positive with the Herington tests aren’t being counted toward the 
state’s COVID-19 tally. The state has about 1,500 known cases, including
 one in Dickinson County.

“You could get a positive if you had nothing other than a common cold,” county public health director John Hultgren said.

Dickinson County began calling Herington’s patients to inform them directly.

“I’m livid about this,” Schmedemann said. “We’re serious about providing quality health care.”

But KDHE points to the test manufacturer’s <a href="https://ucpbiosciences.com/product/covid-19/" target="_blank">own fine print</a>, which says a positive result could mean patients have or have had any of four coronaviruses that cause the common cold. Consequently, the results can’t confirm that a person has or had COVID-19, or that they are now immune.

Herington
 Hospital also advertises the product on its website as 100% specific to
 the virus that causes COVID-19. Manufacturer UCP Biosciences gave the 
hospital pamphlets bearing that claim, though clarifying that its 
calculations are based on about 100 samples. The company didn’t return a
 call to its California office.

The disclaimer about cold viruses doesn’t worry Shmedemann.

“The test is specific to COVID-19, but as with any test, this is part of the disclaimer,” she wrote in a follow-up email.

The
 kits, like most COVID-19 antibody tests on the market, aren’t approved 
by the Food and Drug Administration and haven’t received an expedited, 
emergency approval from the agency. Yet selling them is legal and 
Herington has continued to offer the product.

People with and 
without symptoms are eager for testing. The kits Herington bought seek 
to check whether someone has COVID-19 antibodies in their blood.

The
 goal of antibody testing is to check whether someone has been exposed 
to a specific virus and whether that could shield them from it in the 
future. (Antibodies wouldn’t yet be present for some people with current
 infections.)

Herington says on its website that the UCP test “not
 only tells you if you are positive or negative, it tells you if you 
have immunity.”

Scientists and public health experts say it’s not 
that simple. In addition to the risk that antibodies from the common 
cold could trigger a positive result, researchers don’t yet know how 
effective COVID-19 antibodies will be for staving off future infections.

“It’s
 an attractive hypothesis,” said Jim Zehnder, a professor of pathology 
and medicine at Stanford University, “but it hasn't been rigorously 
proven yet.”

Stanford has developed its own test for the antibodies that result from COVID-19.

But it hasn’t evaluated UCP’s test, and couldn’t speak to its quality. Similar tests have raised concerns, Zehnder said.

“I
 believe partly in response to these concerns raised, the FDA announced 
that they are going to start evaluating this class of test,” he said. 
“There just is not enough information at the moment to say anything 
definitive” about the UCP product.

Kansas wants to start antibody testing soon, too, health secretary Norman said this week.

In
 a followup email, the agency said it would use a platform with minimal 
risk for confusion of various viruses, and combine that with other steps
 to verify results.

The University of Kansas is researching 
COVID-19 antibodies in clinical trials. It believes widespread antibody 
testing could ultimately prove vital to the battle to control COVID-19, 
ease social distancing measures and return to life as normal.

“We 
think there will be an absolute need,” said Dana Hawkinson, a professor 
and medical director of infection control at KU Health System. “But at 
this point in time, there hasn’t been really good validated tests that 
we can use to determine that.”

Celia Llopis-Jepsen reports on consumer health and education for the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/Celia_LJ" target="_blank">@celia_LJ</a>
 or email her at celia@kcur.org. The Kansas News Service is a
 collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public Radio, KMUW and High Plains Public
 Radio focused on health, the social determinants of health and their 
connection to public policy.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587149517051.png" alt="Kansas Health Secretary Lee Norman displays a swab used for COVID-19 testing. A small hospital in central Kansas has deployed blood tests that state health officials say can produce false positives among people with common colds. Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Health Secretary Lee Norman displays a swab used for COVID-19 testing. A small hospital in central Kansas has deployed blood tests that state health officials say can produce false positives among people with common colds. Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>A 25-bed hospital is selling blood 
tests it says will tell people if they have COVID-19 immunity, but 
public health officials say that's not what the tests do.</h2>By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2020-04-17/a-small-kansas-hospital-bought-its-own-coronavirus-tests-but-state-officials-say-it-only-detects-colds">Kansas News Service</a>LAWRENCE — Herington Municipal Hospital got fed up 
with long waits for lab results that would tell its patients with 
respiratory symptoms whether they have the novel coronavirus.So 
when a sales representative called the 25-bed hospital in rural central 
Kansas offering tests that produce results in less than half an hour, 
Herington ordered 500.“We answered the phone on the right day,” CEO Isabel Schmedemann said in an interview this week. “I wish we had ordered more.”One hundred people in her community have already come in for the test.“They want answers,” she said. “They want to know. And they’re scared.”Amid
 a pandemic that has hospitalized hundreds of Kansans and killed more 
than 80, supply shortages have slowed typical COVID-19 nose swab tests 
and health providers have scrambled to find solutions.But public 
health officials around the world worry that desperation to access 
testing could open the way for unproven products that give patients a 
false sense of safety — putting them in greater danger.Herington Hospital’s rollout of new blood-based tests triggered swift action from state and local health officials.On
 its website, the hospital advertises the technology as approved by the 
state. “It tells you if you have immunity,” the hospital claims.Wrong
 on both counts, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment says. 
Attempts to convince the hospital of the test’s problems over the phone 
weren’t successful, the agency says.State health secretary Lee 
Norman said he would alert other hospitals and labs around the state to 
concerns about the tests. He warned the public in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GovLauraKelly/videos/214325436538782/" target="_blank">a press conference</a>
 viewed by tens of thousands of people on Facebook that many antibody 
tests — meant to show a patient’s exposure to a virus — don’t 
necessarily tell people what they want to know.People who test 
positive with the Herington tests aren’t being counted toward the 
state’s COVID-19 tally. The state has about 1,500 known cases, including
 one in Dickinson County.“You could get a positive if you had nothing other than a common cold,” county public health director John Hultgren said.Dickinson County began calling Herington’s patients to inform them directly.“I’m livid about this,” Schmedemann said. “We’re serious about providing quality health care.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587149611485.png" alt="From the website of Herington Municipal Hospital. It says: "Our clinic is now offering onsite Kansas Department of Health and Environment COVID-19 testing that generates results in just 20 minutes. Think you’ve had COVID-19? We also offer a 20 minute antibody test that not only tells you if you are positive or negative, it tells you if you have immunity. This COVID-19 test has an overall sensitivity ≥ 89.2%, the overall specificity is 100% and the overall accuracy is ≥ 96%."" />
 <figcaption>From the website of Herington Municipal Hospital. It says: "Our clinic is now offering onsite Kansas Department of Health and Environment COVID-19 testing that generates results in just 20 minutes. Think you’ve had COVID-19? We also offer a 20 minute antibody test that not only tells you if you are positive or negative, it tells you if you have immunity. This COVID-19 test has an overall sensitivity ≥ 89.2%, the overall specificity is 100% and the overall accuracy is ≥ 96%."</figcaption>
 </figure>But KDHE points to the test manufacturer’s <a href="https://ucpbiosciences.com/product/covid-19/" target="_blank">own fine print</a>, which says a positive result could mean patients have or have had any of four coronaviruses that cause the common cold. Consequently, the results can’t confirm that a person has or had COVID-19, or that they are now immune.Herington
 Hospital also advertises the product on its website as 100% specific to
 the virus that causes COVID-19. Manufacturer UCP Biosciences gave the 
hospital pamphlets bearing that claim, though clarifying that its 
calculations are based on about 100 samples. The company didn’t return a
 call to its California office.The disclaimer about cold viruses doesn’t worry Shmedemann.“The test is specific to COVID-19, but as with any test, this is part of the disclaimer,” she wrote in a follow-up email.The
 kits, like most COVID-19 antibody tests on the market, aren’t approved 
by the Food and Drug Administration and haven’t received an expedited, 
emergency approval from the agency. Yet selling them is legal and 
Herington has continued to offer the product.People with and 
without symptoms are eager for testing. The kits Herington bought seek 
to check whether someone has COVID-19 antibodies in their blood.The
 goal of antibody testing is to check whether someone has been exposed 
to a specific virus and whether that could shield them from it in the 
future. (Antibodies wouldn’t yet be present for some people with current
 infections.)Herington says on its website that the UCP test “not
 only tells you if you are positive or negative, it tells you if you 
have immunity.”Scientists and public health experts say it’s not 
that simple. In addition to the risk that antibodies from the common 
cold could trigger a positive result, researchers don’t yet know how 
effective COVID-19 antibodies will be for staving off future infections.They’re scrambling to figure that out.“It’s
 an attractive hypothesis,” said Jim Zehnder, a professor of pathology 
and medicine at Stanford University, “but it hasn't been rigorously 
proven yet.”Stanford has developed its own test for the antibodies that result from COVID-19.But it hasn’t evaluated UCP’s test, and couldn’t speak to its quality. Similar tests have raised concerns, Zehnder said.“I
 believe partly in response to these concerns raised, the FDA announced 
that they are going to start evaluating this class of test,” he said. 
“There just is not enough information at the moment to say anything 
definitive” about the UCP product.Kansas wants to start antibody testing soon, too, health secretary Norman said this week.In
 a followup email, the agency said it would use a platform with minimal 
risk for confusion of various viruses, and combine that with other steps
 to verify results.The University of Kansas is researching 
COVID-19 antibodies in clinical trials. It believes widespread antibody 
testing could ultimately prove vital to the battle to control COVID-19, 
ease social distancing measures and return to life as normal.“We 
think there will be an absolute need,” said Dana Hawkinson, a professor 
and medical director of infection control at KU Health System. “But at 
this point in time, there hasn’t been really good validated tests that 
we can use to determine that.”Celia Llopis-Jepsen reports on consumer health and education for the Kansas News Service. You can follow her on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/Celia_LJ" target="_blank">@celia_LJ</a>
 or email her at celia@kcur.org. The Kansas News Service is a
 collaboration of KCUR, Kansas Public Radio, KMUW and High Plains Public
 Radio focused on health, the social determinants of health and their 
connection to public policy.

Rural Kan. hospital's virus test may only show you've had a cold

McCook, Neb.-Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department (SWNPHD) announced today that a person from SWNPHD’s health district has tested positive for COVID-19.

SWNPHD is working with healthcare providers and DHHS to identify additional people who came into close contact with this person, a male in his 30s from Red Willow County. These people will be self-quarantined and actively monitored twice daily by public health officials for fever and respiratory symptoms.&nbsp;

SWNPHD wants to reassure the public that steps are being taken to protect community members and healthcare workers and to decrease the spread of the illness.

The person testing positive is a male in their thirties in Red Willow County. They are currently self-isolating at home.

The best way to reduce the risk of becoming infected with a respiratory virus, such as COVID-19 or influenza, is to practice good hygiene:

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

• Avoid touching facial areas, such as eyes, nose and mouth.

• Cover coughs and sneezes using a tissue and throw it away immediately after; wash hands after using a tissue to wipe your nose or mouth.

• Clean frequently touched surfaces like handles, counters, and cellphones.

• Self-isolate - Stay at home and limit contact with other members of your household. Most individuals&nbsp;who become ill will have mild to moderate symptoms that can be treated at home with pain and fever reducers like acetaminophen (Tylenol). It is the most helpful to remain at home and avoid spreading the virus to others.

• Household members who live with someone who is suspected to have COVI -19 should self-quarantine, which means staying at home and not having visitors. Limit time spent within 6 feet of the sick person to ten minutes or less and disinfect surfaces frequently.

McCook, Neb.-Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department (SWNPHD) announced today that a person from SWNPHD’s health district has tested positive for COVID-19.SWNPHD is working with healthcare providers and DHHS to identify additional people who came into close contact with this person, a male in his 30s from Red Willow County. These people will be self-quarantined and actively monitored twice daily by public health officials for fever and respiratory symptoms.&nbsp;SWNPHD wants to reassure the public that steps are being taken to protect community members and healthcare workers and to decrease the spread of the illness.The person testing positive is a male in their thirties in Red Willow County. They are currently self-isolating at home.The best way to reduce the risk of becoming infected with a respiratory virus, such as COVID-19 or influenza, is to practice good hygiene:• Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.• Avoid touching facial areas, such as eyes, nose and mouth.• Cover coughs and sneezes using a tissue and throw it away immediately after; wash hands after using a tissue to wipe your nose or mouth.• Clean frequently touched surfaces like handles, counters, and cellphones.What to do if you think you are sick:• Self-isolate - Stay at home and limit contact with other members of your household. Most individuals&nbsp;who become ill will have mild to moderate symptoms that can be treated at home with pain and fever reducers like acetaminophen (Tylenol). It is the most helpful to remain at home and avoid spreading the virus to others.• Household members who live with someone who is suspected to have COVI -19 should self-quarantine, which means staying at home and not having visitors. Limit time spent within 6 feet of the sick person to ten minutes or less and disinfect surfaces frequently.

Confirmed case of COVID-19 reported in Red Willow County

DEARBORN, Mich.-As part of our commitment to help AAA members and customers in this uncertain time, AAA – The Auto Club Group is providing $60 million in premium refunds to its auto insurance customers. Every policyholder with auto insurance in effect as of April 30, 2020 will receive a 20% policy refund applied to two months of premium, for April and May. This reflects current and anticipated reductions in miles driven. Refunds will be processed as soon as approval is received from individual state departments of insurance.

“For over 115 years, AAA has provided peace of mind to our members and customers, wherever and whenever they need it on life’s journey,” said Joseph J. Richardson, Jr., President and CEO of AAA – The Auto Club Group. “We recognize that in these unprecedented times, many are facing financial hardships and uncertainty, and we are committed now more than ever to helping our members, customers and our communities recover.”

Insurance customers do not need to take any action to receive their refund and they can expect to receive their refund by May 31, 2020, pending approval from state insurance departments.

The premium refunds apply to ACG customers in 12 states including Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, North Dakota, Tennessee, Wisconsin, South Carolina, most of Illinois, Minnesota and northern Indiana.

During the COVID-19 crisis, AAA – The Auto Club Group is focused on providing relief for our AAA members, customers and communities we serve. In addition to a premium refund, we are providing a variety of resources and services to help our AAA members and customers.

Taking Care of Our Members and Customers:

We are assisting our policyholders with flexible payment options for our insurance customers who may need assistance. Customers can take advantage of different payment options through their local agent, by calling 800-222-6424 or by visiting AAA.com/Refund.

We will be pausing cancellations for auto policies due to non-payment through May 31, 2020.

In support of our policyholders who are on the front line delivering critical items, we are extending our auto insurance coverage – at no additional cost – for drivers who are using their personal vehicles to deliver food and medicine. This change is in effect through May 31, 2020 and we’ll continue to evaluate as this situation progresses.

AAA Bank is extending support to its customers in the form of loan and credit card payment fee relief, a 90-day no-payments offer on new or refinanced car loans and overdraft fee relief.

We are helping our travel customers navigate the many options that are evolving daily and have launched our COVID-19 Travel Help Center at AAA.com/TravelExpert

Our members have everyday access to a number of money-saving benefits that include:

Free identity theft monitoring and fraud protection

Up to 85% savings through our GoodRx prescription savings program

Free career assistance including job search, interview preparation assistance, resume writing tips and more

Members can access roadside assistance and take advantage of member benefits with our AAA Mobile App at AAA.com/Mobile. For more information related to our company’s COVID-19 efforts, visit AAA.com/Coronavirus.

We are committed to helping our communities during the COVID-19 crisis. We are assisting those on the front lines by providing free roadside assistance services to healthcare workers and first responders.

Additionally, we have been utilizing our roadside assistance vehicles and drivers to deliver meals and medical supplies to hospitals and first responders throughout our footprint. To date, we have helped donate and deliver nearly 3,500 meals and contributed over $50,000 to support those on the front lines.

We are also donating technology supplies to schools so teachers and children can work and learn from home. We also donated Samsung tablets to a hospital so their isolated patients can connect with loved ones.

We are partnering with the American Red Cross to aid in their relief efforts by holding a weeklong blood and donation drive with the goal of contributing $100,000 and we’re mobilizing employees and our 12 million members to donate towards the significant blood shortage during this crisis.

“AAA’s mission has always been to serve our members and our communities, and I’m heartened to see the vast support for those who have been so drastically affected during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Richardson.

DEARBORN, Mich.-As part of our commitment to help AAA members and customers in this uncertain time, AAA – The Auto Club Group is providing $60 million in premium refunds to its auto insurance customers. Every policyholder with auto insurance in effect as of April 30, 2020 will receive a 20% policy refund applied to two months of premium, for April and May. This reflects current and anticipated reductions in miles driven. Refunds will be processed as soon as approval is received from individual state departments of insurance.“For over 115 years, AAA has provided peace of mind to our members and customers, wherever and whenever they need it on life’s journey,” said Joseph J. Richardson, Jr., President and CEO of AAA – The Auto Club Group. “We recognize that in these unprecedented times, many are facing financial hardships and uncertainty, and we are committed now more than ever to helping our members, customers and our communities recover.”Insurance customers do not need to take any action to receive their refund and they can expect to receive their refund by May 31, 2020, pending approval from state insurance departments.The premium refunds apply to ACG customers in 12 states including Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, North Dakota, Tennessee, Wisconsin, South Carolina, most of Illinois, Minnesota and northern Indiana.During the COVID-19 crisis, AAA – The Auto Club Group is focused on providing relief for our AAA members, customers and communities we serve. In addition to a premium refund, we are providing a variety of resources and services to help our AAA members and customers.Taking Care of Our Members and Customers:We are assisting our policyholders with flexible payment options for our insurance customers who may need assistance. Customers can take advantage of different payment options through their local agent, by calling 800-222-6424 or by visiting AAA.com/Refund.We will be pausing cancellations for auto policies due to non-payment through May 31, 2020.In support of our policyholders who are on the front line delivering critical items, we are extending our auto insurance coverage – at no additional cost – for drivers who are using their personal vehicles to deliver food and medicine. This change is in effect through May 31, 2020 and we’ll continue to evaluate as this situation progresses.AAA Bank is extending support to its customers in the form of loan and credit card payment fee relief, a 90-day no-payments offer on new or refinanced car loans and overdraft fee relief.We are helping our travel customers navigate the many options that are evolving daily and have launched our COVID-19 Travel Help Center at AAA.com/TravelExpertOur members have everyday access to a number of money-saving benefits that include:Free identity theft monitoring and fraud protectionUp to 85% savings through our GoodRx prescription savings programFree career assistance including job search, interview preparation assistance, resume writing tips and moreMembers can access roadside assistance and take advantage of member benefits with our AAA Mobile App at AAA.com/Mobile. For more information related to our company’s COVID-19 efforts, visit AAA.com/Coronavirus.Supporting our Communities:We are committed to helping our communities during the COVID-19 crisis. We are assisting those on the front lines by providing free roadside assistance services to healthcare workers and first responders.Additionally, we have been utilizing our roadside assistance vehicles and drivers to deliver meals and medical supplies to hospitals and first responders throughout our footprint. To date, we have helped donate and deliver nearly 3,500 meals and contributed over $50,000 to support those on the front lines.We are also donating technology supplies to schools so teachers and children can work and learn from home. We also donated Samsung tablets to a hospital so their isolated patients can connect with loved ones.We are partnering with the American Red Cross to aid in their relief efforts by holding a weeklong blood and donation drive with the goal of contributing $100,000 and we’re mobilizing employees and our 12 million members to donate towards the significant blood shortage during this crisis.“AAA’s mission has always been to serve our members and our communities, and I’m heartened to see the vast support for those who have been so drastically affected during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Richardson.

AAA provides 20 percent premium refund to auto policyholders due to COVID-19

WASHINGTON-The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is updating its coronavirus website to include new resources for state, local, and tribal agencies and intergovernmental associations. These resources will help EPA and its partners continue to provide the environmental protection the nation depends on without interruption during the coronavirus public health emergency.

“EPA is doing all we can to support our state, local, and tribal partners as we work together to address this public health emergency in our communities,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “The resources we are providing on this new webpage will help us coordinate our efforts, provide flexibilities when necessary, and effectively navigate through any challenges that may arise.”

EPA’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources for State, Local, and Tribal Agencies and Associations contains important information on grants, enforcement and compliance programs, water infrastructure, and a host of other issues important to effective environmental program delivery. The web page will be updated regularly with new information.

During the response to the coronavirus crisis, EPA, states, tribes, and communities have encountered and resolved together many challenges requiring creativity and flexibility. EPA headquarters and the regional offices have participated in many virtual meetings with state and tribal environmental leaders to work through time-sensitive issues and the agency continues to maintain open lines of communication with all of our co-regulators.

EPA is also continuing to update resources on its website and add to the list of surface disinfectant products that are effective against SARS-CoV-2. To contact EPA about any Coronavirus (COVID-19) issue, you may do so here: https://www.epa.gov/coronavirus/forms/contact-us-about-coronavirus-covid-19.

WASHINGTON-The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is updating its coronavirus website to include new resources for state, local, and tribal agencies and intergovernmental associations. These resources will help EPA and its partners continue to provide the environmental protection the nation depends on without interruption during the coronavirus public health emergency.“EPA is doing all we can to support our state, local, and tribal partners as we work together to address this public health emergency in our communities,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “The resources we are providing on this new webpage will help us coordinate our efforts, provide flexibilities when necessary, and effectively navigate through any challenges that may arise.”EPA’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources for State, Local, and Tribal Agencies and Associations contains important information on grants, enforcement and compliance programs, water infrastructure, and a host of other issues important to effective environmental program delivery. The web page will be updated regularly with new information.During the response to the coronavirus crisis, EPA, states, tribes, and communities have encountered and resolved together many challenges requiring creativity and flexibility. EPA headquarters and the regional offices have participated in many virtual meetings with state and tribal environmental leaders to work through time-sensitive issues and the agency continues to maintain open lines of communication with all of our co-regulators.EPA is also continuing to update resources on its website and add to the list of surface disinfectant products that are effective against SARS-CoV-2. To contact EPA about any Coronavirus (COVID-19) issue, you may do so here: https://www.epa.gov/coronavirus/forms/contact-us-about-coronavirus-covid-19.

EPA announces coronavirus resources for state, local, tribal governments

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 4.2% in March, according to new data released Friday.

The previous unemployment rate in February was 2.9%, according to the Nebraska Department of Labor.

The numbers were released amid a recent record-setting surge in unemployment claims caused by the coronavirus. The rate is likely to increase again in the April report.

The non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Omaha was 4.4% last month and 3.8% in Lincoln, according to the department.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 4.2% in March, according to new data released Friday.The previous unemployment rate in February was 2.9%, according to the Nebraska Department of Labor.The numbers were released amid a recent record-setting surge in unemployment claims caused by the coronavirus. The rate is likely to increase again in the April report.The non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Omaha was 4.4% last month and 3.8% in Lincoln, according to the department.

Nebraska's unemployment rate reached 4.2% in March

Sports Podcast: Pair of Knights basketball players react to coronavirus 

LINCOLN –&nbsp;Three new COVID-19 related deaths were reported to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Thursday, bringing the state's COVID-19 death toll to 24, according to the agency's COVID-19 Dashboard.

Two deaths were reported in Gage County. Both were residents of an assisted living facility. The first resident was a female in her 80s. The second was a male in his 70s with multiple underlying health conditions.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/PHSHealthDept" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/PHSHealthDept&nbsp;</a>

Douglas County saw its eighth death, that of a man in his 70s with multiple underlying health conditions.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.douglascountyhealth.com/" target="_blank">https://www.douglascountyhealth.com/&nbsp;</a>

The East Central Public Health Department announced that an individual in Nance County has been diagnosed with the virus, marking that county's first case -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ecdhd/" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/ecdhd/</a>.

Today's state case total, as of 5:40 pm Central Daylight Time, is 1,066. DHHS launched a new data dashboard that updates the state's COVID-19 case totals daily. You can find it at&nbsp;<a href="http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus">http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus</a>. Local health departments are reporting cases and deaths in their jurisdictions. In the event of a discrepancy between DHHS dashboard data and cases and deaths reported by local public health officials, data reported by the local health department should be considered the most up to date.

All 93 Nebraska counties are now covered by state Directed Health Measures (DHMs).&nbsp;<a href="http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus">http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus</a>. It's critical that Nebraskans follow these enforceable state Directed Health Measures to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in the state. These measures help protect each other and those who are more vulnerable to severe illness and death, and help hospitals and clinics from being overwhelmed so they can continue to provide care to families, friends and neighbors who need it.

In addition to the state-issued DHM, some Local Health Departments have issued additional restrictions -&nbsp;<a href="http://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/COVID-19-Directed-Health-Measures.aspx">http://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/COVID-19-Directed-Health-Measures.aspx</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

DHHS supports Governor Ricketts in urging Nebraskans to follow the&nbsp;Six Rules to Keep Nebraska Healthy.&nbsp;

Recent studies show that a significant portion of people with COVID-19 lack symptoms and those who eventually develop symptoms can pass the virus to others before showing symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC now recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (grocery stores, pharmacies, etc.) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-faq.html" target="_blank">https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-faq.html&nbsp;</a>.

Cloth face coverings are not a substitute for social distancing. Public health officials continue to emphasize that maintaining 6-feet social distancing is crucial to slowing the spread of the virus.

Here's where to find tools and resources for individuals and families, schools, communities, businesses, healthcare facilities, and first responders on the DHHS website -&nbsp;<a href="http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus">http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus</a>&nbsp;and CDC's website –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/covid19" target="_blank">https://www.cdc.gov/covid19&nbsp;</a>.

DHHS opened a statewide COVID-19 information line to help answer general questions and share the latest information and resources with Nebraskans to help keep them informed. The number is (402) 552-6645; hours of operation are 8 a.m.-8 p.m. CST, 7 days a week.

DHHS will continue to update Nebraskans through the DHHS website and on Facebook and Twitter as we have new information. The CDC's website is also a good resource for COVID-19 information -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/covid19" target="_blank">https://www.cdc.gov/covid19&nbsp;</a>.

LINCOLN –&nbsp;Three new COVID-19 related deaths were reported to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Thursday, bringing the state's COVID-19 death toll to 24, according to the agency's COVID-19 Dashboard.Two deaths were reported in Gage County. Both were residents of an assisted living facility. The first resident was a female in her 80s. The second was a male in his 70s with multiple underlying health conditions.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/PHSHealthDept" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/PHSHealthDept&nbsp;</a>Douglas County saw its eighth death, that of a man in his 70s with multiple underlying health conditions.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.douglascountyhealth.com/" target="_blank">https://www.douglascountyhealth.com/&nbsp;</a>The East Central Public Health Department announced that an individual in Nance County has been diagnosed with the virus, marking that county's first case -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ecdhd/" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/ecdhd/</a>.Today's state case total, as of 5:40 pm Central Daylight Time, is 1,066. DHHS launched a new data dashboard that updates the state's COVID-19 case totals daily. You can find it at&nbsp;<a href="http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus">http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus</a>. Local health departments are reporting cases and deaths in their jurisdictions. In the event of a discrepancy between DHHS dashboard data and cases and deaths reported by local public health officials, data reported by the local health department should be considered the most up to date.All 93 Nebraska counties are now covered by state Directed Health Measures (DHMs).&nbsp;<a href="http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus">http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus</a>. It's critical that Nebraskans follow these enforceable state Directed Health Measures to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in the state. These measures help protect each other and those who are more vulnerable to severe illness and death, and help hospitals and clinics from being overwhelmed so they can continue to provide care to families, friends and neighbors who need it.In addition to the state-issued DHM, some Local Health Departments have issued additional restrictions -&nbsp;<a href="http://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/COVID-19-Directed-Health-Measures.aspx">http://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/COVID-19-Directed-Health-Measures.aspx</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;DHHS supports Governor Ricketts in urging Nebraskans to follow the&nbsp;Six Rules to Keep Nebraska Healthy.&nbsp;<ol>
 <li>Stay home.&nbsp; No non-essential errands and no social gatherings.&nbsp; Respect the ten-person limits.</li><li>Socially distance your work.&nbsp; Work from home or use the six-foot rule as much as possible in the workplace.&nbsp;</li><li>Shop alone.&nbsp; Do this only once a week and do not take your family with you.</li><li>Help kids social distance. Play at home, no group sports and no playgrounds.</li><li>Help seniors stay at home.&nbsp; This can be done by shopping for them.&nbsp; Do not visit long-term facilities.&nbsp;</li><li>Exercise daily.&nbsp; Do your best to stay as healthy and safe as you can.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
 </ol>Recent studies show that a significant portion of people with COVID-19 lack symptoms and those who eventually develop symptoms can pass the virus to others before showing symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC now recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (grocery stores, pharmacies, etc.) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-faq.html" target="_blank">https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-faq.html&nbsp;</a>.Cloth face coverings are not a substitute for social distancing. Public health officials continue to emphasize that maintaining 6-feet social distancing is crucial to slowing the spread of the virus.Here's where to find tools and resources for individuals and families, schools, communities, businesses, healthcare facilities, and first responders on the DHHS website -&nbsp;<a href="http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus">http://dhhs.ne.gov/coronavirus</a>&nbsp;and CDC's website –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/covid19" target="_blank">https://www.cdc.gov/covid19&nbsp;</a>.DHHS opened a statewide COVID-19 information line to help answer general questions and share the latest information and resources with Nebraskans to help keep them informed. The number is (402) 552-6645; hours of operation are 8 a.m.-8 p.m. CST, 7 days a week.DHHS will continue to update Nebraskans through the DHHS website and on Facebook and Twitter as we have new information. The CDC's website is also a good resource for COVID-19 information -&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/covid19" target="_blank">https://www.cdc.gov/covid19&nbsp;</a>.

Officials report 3 new coronavirus-related deaths in Nebraska, bringing total to 24

WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawmakers are struggling to break a stalemate over President Donald Trump’s $250 billion emergency request for a small-business program, stoking uncertainty about when additional support will be available in a key rescue program now exhausted of funds.

A Senate session quickly adjourned without any progress, though staff aides to House and Senate Democrats and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin convened another conference call, on legislation to shore up the Paycheck Protection Program and demands by Democrats for potential additions. The Small Business Administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/dded8ead64598a3893f4046bbe857d2e">announced Thursday&nbsp;</a>it has reached its $349 billion lending limit and is no longer accepting applications, and Trump immediately weighed in on Twitter to bash Democrats.

“Democrats are blocking additional funding for the popular Paycheck Protection Program. They are killing American small businesses. Stop playing politics Dems! Support Refilling PPP NOW – it is out of funds!” Trump wrote.

GOP aides said that Mnuchin is prepared to accept additional funding sought by Democrats for hospitals, but that additional aid to state and local governments couldn’t get approval in the current round. The aides spoke on condition of anonymity to characterize internal party deliberations.

Thursday’s Senate session featured a short speech by a frustrated majority leader, Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., but no effort to pass Trump’s $250 billion request — or to shame Democrats, were they to block it as they did last week. Instead, McConnell said that he had cleared the $250 billion package on the GOP side but that Democrats would have stopped it.

“Democrats would not let us reopen the program,” McConnell said. “This really should be above politics.”

The Capitol is largely shuttered, requiring consensus from all sides for any legislation to pass, and top GOP leaders are vowing to stick closely to Trump’s request despite Democrats’ additional demands.

The Senate is away from Washington through May 4, but it convenes twice each week for pro forma sessions that could be used to pass more coronavirus aid — though only if no senator objects. The next Senate pro forma is Monday afternoon; no action is expected at a brief Friday House session.

McConnell, asked by a reporter whether he could support any agreement reached by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Mnuchin, was noncommittal.

“Well, look, we’d take a look at it. My members want to plus up the small-business program. We think the need is obvious,” he told reporters. “And all the money for the other programs is not yet out the door. It doesn’t mean we won’t be dealing with them later, but we have an emergency, we ought to deal with it.”

GOP leaders McConnell and Kevin McCarthy are back in Washington to monitor developments. McCarthy, the House minority leader, is closer to Trump, but both seem to fear Mnuchin might be willing to contemplate concessions that rank-and-file Republicans would find objectionable.

At issue is a $349 billion Paycheck Protection Program that is a centerpiece of last month’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/2099a53bb8adf2def7ee7329ea322f9d">massive rescue bill.&nbsp;</a>The Congressional Budget Office issued an estimate for the legislation, passed virtually unanimously last month, pegging its deficit cost at $1.8 trillion. That’s less than the $2.2 trillion informal White House estimate, and the difference is because the CBO believes an almost half-trillion-dollar loan guarantee program designed to stabilize large companies and state and local governments won’t have deficit costs because the money would be paid back.

The program gives grants to businesses with fewer than 500 workers so that they can maintain payroll and pay rent while shutting down their businesses during social distancing edicts.

The program has been swamped by businesses applying for loans and has reached its appropriations limit. Mnuchin says $250 billion more is needed immediately.

But Democrats want money for hospitals burdened under COVID-19 caseloads and additional funding for states and local governments straining as the economy slides into recession.

They also want to make sure the Paycheck Protection Program is opened up more to businesses that don’t have established relationships with banks that have been accepting applications for rescue funding.

Pelosi is pressing to add money to be distributed by community development financial institutions, which are small, nontraditional lenders that focus on making loans in underdeveloped and underserved neighborhoods, typically communities with larger minority populations.

“We want to make sure that, as it gets more money, many more people get access to the credit,” Pelosi said.

Eventually, the need for consensus seems likely to result in a relatively limited package.

Republicans are agitating to help rural hospitals, while Democrats are also keen to boost aid to cash-strapped states and local governments whose revenues have cratered. Aiding the states may be a stretch for now, however, as the issue can easily provoke fights between large, high-tax states like California and New York and smaller states more typically run by Republicans.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587127575852.png" alt="Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D) Virginia, designated to act as Speaker pro tempore in the U.S. House of Representatives Tuesday-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D) Virginia, designated to act as Speaker pro tempore in the U.S. House of Representatives Tuesday-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawmakers are struggling to break a stalemate over President Donald Trump’s $250 billion emergency request for a small-business program, stoking uncertainty about when additional support will be available in a key rescue program now exhausted of funds.A Senate session quickly adjourned without any progress, though staff aides to House and Senate Democrats and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin convened another conference call, on legislation to shore up the Paycheck Protection Program and demands by Democrats for potential additions. The Small Business Administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/dded8ead64598a3893f4046bbe857d2e">announced Thursday&nbsp;</a>it has reached its $349 billion lending limit and is no longer accepting applications, and Trump immediately weighed in on Twitter to bash Democrats.“Democrats are blocking additional funding for the popular Paycheck Protection Program. They are killing American small businesses. Stop playing politics Dems! Support Refilling PPP NOW – it is out of funds!” Trump wrote.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585696207171.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>GOP aides said that Mnuchin is prepared to accept additional funding sought by Democrats for hospitals, but that additional aid to state and local governments couldn’t get approval in the current round. The aides spoke on condition of anonymity to characterize internal party deliberations.Thursday’s Senate session featured a short speech by a frustrated majority leader, Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., but no effort to pass Trump’s $250 billion request — or to shame Democrats, were they to block it as they did last week. Instead, McConnell said that he had cleared the $250 billion package on the GOP side but that Democrats would have stopped it.“Democrats would not let us reopen the program,” McConnell said. “This really should be above politics.”The Capitol is largely shuttered, requiring consensus from all sides for any legislation to pass, and top GOP leaders are vowing to stick closely to Trump’s request despite Democrats’ additional demands.The Senate is away from Washington through May 4, but it convenes twice each week for pro forma sessions that could be used to pass more coronavirus aid — though only if no senator objects. The next Senate pro forma is Monday afternoon; no action is expected at a brief Friday House session.McConnell, asked by a reporter whether he could support any agreement reached by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Mnuchin, was noncommittal.“Well, look, we’d take a look at it. My members want to plus up the small-business program. We think the need is obvious,” he told reporters. “And all the money for the other programs is not yet out the door. It doesn’t mean we won’t be dealing with them later, but we have an emergency, we ought to deal with it.”GOP leaders McConnell and Kevin McCarthy are back in Washington to monitor developments. McCarthy, the House minority leader, is closer to Trump, but both seem to fear Mnuchin might be willing to contemplate concessions that rank-and-file Republicans would find objectionable.At issue is a $349 billion Paycheck Protection Program that is a centerpiece of last month’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/2099a53bb8adf2def7ee7329ea322f9d">massive rescue bill.&nbsp;</a>The Congressional Budget Office issued an estimate for the legislation, passed virtually unanimously last month, pegging its deficit cost at $1.8 trillion. That’s less than the $2.2 trillion informal White House estimate, and the difference is because the CBO believes an almost half-trillion-dollar loan guarantee program designed to stabilize large companies and state and local governments won’t have deficit costs because the money would be paid back.The program gives grants to businesses with fewer than 500 workers so that they can maintain payroll and pay rent while shutting down their businesses during social distancing edicts.The program has been swamped by businesses applying for loans and has reached its appropriations limit. Mnuchin says $250 billion more is needed immediately.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585696236815.png" alt="White House" />
 <figcaption>White House</figcaption>
 </figure>But Democrats want money for hospitals burdened under COVID-19 caseloads and additional funding for states and local governments straining as the economy slides into recession.They also want to make sure the Paycheck Protection Program is opened up more to businesses that don’t have established relationships with banks that have been accepting applications for rescue funding.Pelosi is pressing to add money to be distributed by community development financial institutions, which are small, nontraditional lenders that focus on making loans in underdeveloped and underserved neighborhoods, typically communities with larger minority populations.“We want to make sure that, as it gets more money, many more people get access to the credit,” Pelosi said.Eventually, the need for consensus seems likely to result in a relatively limited package.Republicans are agitating to help rural hospitals, while Democrats are also keen to boost aid to cash-strapped states and local governments whose revenues have cratered. Aiding the states may be a stretch for now, however, as the issue can easily provoke fights between large, high-tax states like California and New York and smaller states more typically run by Republicans.

New pressure on lawmakers as virus aid for firms hits limit

Nebraska withdraws coronavirus aid to Native American tribes

LINCOLN, Neb.-Governor Pete Ricketts issued a statement following President Donald J. Trump’s announcement of “Opening Up American Again Guidelines.”

“I appreciate President Trump’s guidelines for reopening pieces of the economy that have been closed temporarily,” said Governor Ricketts.&nbsp; “It is critical that we get people back to work safely and continue to slow the spread of the virus as the country opens up.”

LINCOLN, Neb.-Governor Pete Ricketts issued a statement following President Donald J. Trump’s announcement of “Opening Up American Again Guidelines.”“I appreciate President Trump’s guidelines for reopening pieces of the economy that have been closed temporarily,” said Governor Ricketts.&nbsp; “It is critical that we get people back to work safely and continue to slow the spread of the virus as the country opens up.”

Gov. Ricketts praises President Trump's guidelines for 'Opening Up America Again'

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump gave governors a road map Thursday for recovering from the economic pain of the coronavirus pandemic, laying out “a phased and deliberate approach” to restoring normal activity in places that have strong testing and are seeing a decrease in COVID-19 cases.

He added, “This is a gradual process.”

The new guidelines are aimed at easing restrictions in areas with low transmission of the coronavirus, while holding the line in harder-hit locations. They make clear that the return to normalcy will be a far longer process than Trump initially envisioned, with federal officials warning that some social distancing measures may need to remain in place through the end of the year to prevent a new outbreak. And they largely reinforce plans already in the works by governors, who have primary responsibility for public health in their states.

“You’re going to call your own shots,” Trump told the governors Thursday afternoon in a conference call, according to an audio recording obtained by The Associated Press. “We’re going to be standing alongside of you.”

Places with declining infections and strong testing would begin a three-phase gradual reopening of businesses and schools.

In phase one, for instance, the plan recommends strict social distancing for all people in public. Gatherings larger than 10 people are to be avoided and nonessential travel is discouraged.

In phase two, people are encouraged to maximize social distancing and limit gatherings to no more than 50 people unless precautionary measures are taken. Travel could resume.

Phase three envisions a return to normalcy for most Americans, with a focus on identification and isolation of any new infections.

Trump said recent trends in some states were so positive that they could almost immediately begin taking the steps laid out in phase one.

“They will be able to go literally tomorrow,” Trump said.

Governors of both parties made clear they will move at their own pace.

Delaware Gov. John Carney, a Democrat, said the guidelines “seem to make sense.”

“We’re days, maybe weeks away from the starting line and then you have to have 14 days of declining cases, of declining symptoms and hospital capacity that exists in case you have a rebound,” he said.

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, a Trump ally, cautiously floated the idea of reopening parts of the state, but said testing capacity and contact tracing would need to be considerably ramped up before restrictions could be safely lifted.

“All would be forgotten very quickly if we moved into a stage quicker than we should, and then we got into a situation where we had people dying like flies,” Justice told reporter

At the earliest, the guidelines suggest, some parts of the country could see a resumption in normal commerce and social gatherings after a month of evaluating whether easing up on restrictions has led to a resurgence in virus cases. In other parts of the country, or if virus cases pick up, it could be substantially longer.

In briefing governors on the plan, Trump said they were going to be responsible for deciding when it is safe to lift restrictions in their states. Just days before, he had drawn swift pushback for claiming he had absolute authority to determine how and when states reopen.

“We have a very large number of states that want to get going and they’re in very good shape,” Trump said. “That’s good with us, frankly.”

The guidelines also include general recommendations to businesses as they plan for potential reopenings, suggesting temperature-taking, rapid COVID-19 testing and widespread disinfection efforts in workplaces.

Those most susceptible to the respiratory disease are advised to remain sheltered in place until their area enters the final phase — and even then are encouraged to take precautions to avoid close contact with other people.

Governors, for their part, have been moving ahead with their own plans for how to safely revive normal activity. Seven Midwestern governors announced Thursday they will coordinate on reopening their economies. Similar pacts were announced earlier in the week in the West and Northeast.

Two in three Americans expressed concerns that restrictions meant to slow the spread of the virus would be eased too quickly, according to a Pew Research Center survey released Thursday. More than 30,000 people in the United States have died from the virus.

Trump also held conference calls Thursday with lawmakers he named to a new congressional advisory task force on reviving the economy. The economic costs were clear in new federal data showing that at least 22 million Americans have been thrown out of work in the last month. But the legislators repeatedly urged the president not to sacrifice public health by moving too quickly.

“My highest priority on this task force will be to ensure the federal government’s efforts to reopen our economy are bipartisan, data-driven, and based on the expertise of public health professionals,” said Democratic Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia.

The federal government envisions a gradual recovery from the virus, in which disruptive mitigation measures may be needed in some places at least until a vaccine is available — a milestone unlikely to be reached until sometime next year.

“It’s not going to immediately be a situation where we have stadiums full of people,” said Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson on Thursday. “We’re Americans. We will adapt,” he added.

Trump on Thursday claimed the U.S. has “built the most advanced and robust testing anywhere in the world.” But even people close to him warned more would be necessary.

“We are struggling with testing at a large scale,” South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham told ABC’s “The View.” “You really can’t go back to work until we have more tests.”

There was also concern that the White House was taking too rosy a view on trends in the U.S.

“I would not declare a peak almost anywhere in the U.S. yet,” said Marc Lipsitch, a Harvard epidemiology professor who is director of the university’s Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics. He recommended “working to enhance surveillance and testing so if we do hit a peak, it will be possible to identify it with greater certainty.”

But some of Trump’s conservative allies, like economist Stephen Moore, have encouraged him to act swiftly, warning of “a mini Great Depression if we keep the economy shut down.”

“That is a catastrophic outcome for our country. Period,” Moore said he advised the president.

A big testing ground for Trump’s road map could be Texas, where Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, who has stuck close to federal guidance throughout the crisis, will lay out his reopening plan Friday. Abbott has said the process will be gradual, but he is facing pressure from conservative lawmakers to get Texas back to work.

The White House proposal presented Thursday is different from what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended last week, according to a draft of the recommendation obtained by The Associated Press. The CDC talked about using more specific criteria and in many cases looking for improvement over longer periods of time before easing restrictions in high-transmission areas. Examples include wanting to see sustained reductions over 30 days in positive tests for coronavirus, and sustained reductions over 15 days in numbers of coronavirus deaths.

WASHINGTON (AP) — New White House guidelines outline a phased approach to restoring normal commerce and services, but only for places with strong testing and seeing a decrease in COVID-19 cases.

President Donald Trump unveiled his administration’s plans to ease social distancing requirements on a call Thursday with the nation’s governors. The new guidelines are aimed at clearing the way for an easing of restrictions in areas with low transmission of the coronavirus, while keeping them in place in harder-hit locations.

Places with declining infections and strong testing would begin a three-phased gradual reopening of businesses and schools, with each phase lasting at least 14 days, meant to ensure that the virus outbreak doesn’t accelerate again.

The Associated Press obtained a copy of the guidelines before their public release.

The recommendations make clear that the return to normalcy will be a far longer process than Trump initially envisioned, with federal officials warning that some social distancing measures may need to remain in place through the end of the year to prevent a new outbreak.

At earliest, the guidelines suggest that some parts of the country could see a resumption in normal commerce and social gatherings after a month of evaluating whether the easing of restrictions leads to a resurgence in virus cases. In other parts of the country, or if virus cases resume an up-tick, it could be substantially longer.

Trump briefed the nation’s governors on the plan Thursday afternoon, saying they were going to be responsible for deciding when it is safe to lift restrictions in their states.

“You’re going to call your own shots,” Trump told governors, according to an audio recording obtained by The Associated Press. “We’re going to be standing along side of you.”

Meanwhile, under the federal guidelines, those most susceptible to the respiratory disease would be advised to remain sheltered in place until their area enters the final phase — and even then are advised to take precautions to avoid close contact with other people.

The federal guidelines come after seven governors in the Midwest announced Thursday they will coordinate on reopening the economy, after similar pacts were announced earlier this week in the West and Northeast.

Trump held conference calls earlier Thursday with lawmakers he named to a new congressional advisory task force. The economic costs were clear in new federal data showing that at least 22 million Americans have been thrown out of work in the last month. But the legislators repeatedly urged the president not to sacrifice public health in an effort to reopen the economy.

Business leaders, too, raised concerns to the president in a round of calls Wednesday, warning that a dramatic increase in testing and wider availability of protective equipment will be necessary before they can safely revive operations.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said at a news conference before the call with the White House that he planned to ask the president for “direct cash assistance,” citing the state’s troubled tax revenues. He also said he would press for “robust health care infrastructure” and mass testing with quick turnaround times before reopening the economy.

Trump said Wednesday that data indicates the U.S. is “past the peak” of the COVID-19 epidemic. He said the numbers have “put us in a very strong position to finalize guidelines for states on reopening the country.”

Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus task force coordinator, added that data from across the country showed the nation “improving,” but that Americans had to recommit to social distancing to keep up the positive momentum.

She said nine states have fewer than 1,000 cases and just a few dozen new cases per day. She said those would likely be the first to see a lifting in social distancing restrictions at the direction of their governors under the guidelines set to be released Thursday.

But participants in a Wednesday call with Trump that included executives of dozens of leading American companies raised concerns about the testing issue, according to one participant who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe the private discussion.

Another participant said it was stressed to Trump that expansion of testing and contact tracing was crucial, as well as guidelines for best practices on reopening businesses in phases or in one fell swoop.

The participant said those on the call noted to the administration that there was about to be a rush on personal protective equipment. Many businesses that are now shuttered will need the protective equipment to keep their employees and customers safe.

Trump was told “the economy will look very different and operations will look very different,” one participant said.

South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican close to Trump, said the lack of widespread testing was an impediment to lifting the social distancing guidelines. “We are struggling with testing at a large scale.,” he told ABC’s “The View.” “You really can’t go back to work until we have more tests.”

“That is a catastrophic outcome for our country. Period,” Moore said he advised the president. “We can’t have 30 million people in this country unemployed or you’re going to have social chaos.”

The panel, which Trump dubbed the new Great American Economic Revival Industry Groups, also could help give him a measure of cover. If cases surge once restrictions are lifted, as many experts have warned, Trump will be able to tell the public he didn’t act alone and the nation’s top minds — from manufacturing to defense to technology — helped shape the plan.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587087044524.png" alt="President Trump answers questions Thursday on the plan during the Coronavirus Task Force briefing- Image courtesy White House&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>President Trump answers questions Thursday on the plan during the Coronavirus Task Force briefing- Image courtesy White House&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump gave governors a road map Thursday for recovering from the economic pain of the coronavirus pandemic, laying out “a phased and deliberate approach” to restoring normal activity in places that have strong testing and are seeing a decrease in COVID-19 cases.He added, “This is a gradual process.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587086887250.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The new guidelines are aimed at easing restrictions in areas with low transmission of the coronavirus, while holding the line in harder-hit locations. They make clear that the return to normalcy will be a far longer process than Trump initially envisioned, with federal officials warning that some social distancing measures may need to remain in place through the end of the year to prevent a new outbreak. And they largely reinforce plans already in the works by governors, who have primary responsibility for public health in their states.“You’re going to call your own shots,” Trump told the governors Thursday afternoon in a conference call, according to an audio recording obtained by The Associated Press. “We’re going to be standing alongside of you.”Places with declining infections and strong testing would begin a three-phase gradual reopening of businesses and schools.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587086594833.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>In phase one, for instance, the plan recommends strict social distancing for all people in public. Gatherings larger than 10 people are to be avoided and nonessential travel is discouraged.In phase two, people are encouraged to maximize social distancing and limit gatherings to no more than 50 people unless precautionary measures are taken. Travel could resume.Phase three envisions a return to normalcy for most Americans, with a focus on identification and isolation of any new infections.Trump said recent trends in some states were so positive that they could almost immediately begin taking the steps laid out in phase one.“They will be able to go literally tomorrow,” Trump said.Governors of both parties made clear they will move at their own pace.Delaware Gov. John Carney, a Democrat, said the guidelines “seem to make sense.”“We’re days, maybe weeks away from the starting line and then you have to have 14 days of declining cases, of declining symptoms and hospital capacity that exists in case you have a rebound,” he said.West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice, a Trump ally, cautiously floated the idea of reopening parts of the state, but said testing capacity and contact tracing would need to be considerably ramped up before restrictions could be safely lifted.“All would be forgotten very quickly if we moved into a stage quicker than we should, and then we got into a situation where we had people dying like flies,” Justice told reporterAt the earliest, the guidelines suggest, some parts of the country could see a resumption in normal commerce and social gatherings after a month of evaluating whether easing up on restrictions has led to a resurgence in virus cases. In other parts of the country, or if virus cases pick up, it could be substantially longer.In briefing governors on the plan, Trump said they were going to be responsible for deciding when it is safe to lift restrictions in their states. Just days before, he had drawn swift pushback for claiming he had absolute authority to determine how and when states reopen.“We have a very large number of states that want to get going and they’re in very good shape,” Trump said. “That’s good with us, frankly.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587086755141.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The guidelines also include general recommendations to businesses as they plan for potential reopenings, suggesting temperature-taking, rapid COVID-19 testing and widespread disinfection efforts in workplaces.Those most susceptible to the respiratory disease are advised to remain sheltered in place until their area enters the final phase — and even then are encouraged to take precautions to avoid close contact with other people.Governors, for their part, have been moving ahead with their own plans for how to safely revive normal activity. Seven Midwestern governors announced Thursday they will coordinate on reopening their economies. Similar pacts were announced earlier in the week in the West and Northeast.Two in three Americans expressed concerns that restrictions meant to slow the spread of the virus would be eased too quickly, according to a Pew Research Center survey released Thursday. More than 30,000 people in the United States have died from the virus.Trump also held conference calls Thursday with lawmakers he named to a new congressional advisory task force on reviving the economy. The economic costs were clear in new federal data showing that at least 22 million Americans have been thrown out of work in the last month. But the legislators repeatedly urged the president not to sacrifice public health by moving too quickly.“My highest priority on this task force will be to ensure the federal government’s efforts to reopen our economy are bipartisan, data-driven, and based on the expertise of public health professionals,” said Democratic Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia.The federal government envisions a gradual recovery from the virus, in which disruptive mitigation measures may be needed in some places at least until a vaccine is available — a milestone unlikely to be reached until sometime next year.“It’s not going to immediately be a situation where we have stadiums full of people,” said Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson on Thursday. “We’re Americans. We will adapt,” he added.Trump on Thursday claimed the U.S. has “built the most advanced and robust testing anywhere in the world.” But even people close to him warned more would be necessary.“We are struggling with testing at a large scale,” South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham told ABC’s “The View.” “You really can’t go back to work until we have more tests.”There was also concern that the White House was taking too rosy a view on trends in the U.S.“I would not declare a peak almost anywhere in the U.S. yet,” said Marc Lipsitch, a Harvard epidemiology professor who is director of the university’s Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics. He recommended “working to enhance surveillance and testing so if we do hit a peak, it will be possible to identify it with greater certainty.”But some of Trump’s conservative allies, like economist Stephen Moore, have encouraged him to act swiftly, warning of “a mini Great Depression if we keep the economy shut down.”“That is a catastrophic outcome for our country. Period,” Moore said he advised the president.A big testing ground for Trump’s road map could be Texas, where Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, who has stuck close to federal guidance throughout the crisis, will lay out his reopening plan Friday. Abbott has said the process will be gradual, but he is facing pressure from conservative lawmakers to get Texas back to work.The White House proposal presented Thursday is different from what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended last week, according to a draft of the recommendation obtained by The Associated Press. The CDC talked about using more specific criteria and in many cases looking for improvement over longer periods of time before easing restrictions in high-transmission areas. Examples include wanting to see sustained reductions over 30 days in positive tests for coronavirus, and sustained reductions over 15 days in numbers of coronavirus deaths.___WASHINGTON (AP) — New White House guidelines outline a phased approach to restoring normal commerce and services, but only for places with strong testing and seeing a decrease in COVID-19 cases.President Donald Trump unveiled his administration’s plans to ease social distancing requirements on a call Thursday with the nation’s governors. The new guidelines are aimed at clearing the way for an easing of restrictions in areas with low transmission of the coronavirus, while keeping them in place in harder-hit locations.Places with declining infections and strong testing would begin a three-phased gradual reopening of businesses and schools, with each phase lasting at least 14 days, meant to ensure that the virus outbreak doesn’t accelerate again.The Associated Press obtained a copy of the guidelines before their public release.The recommendations make clear that the return to normalcy will be a far longer process than Trump initially envisioned, with federal officials warning that some social distancing measures may need to remain in place through the end of the year to prevent a new outbreak.At earliest, the guidelines suggest that some parts of the country could see a resumption in normal commerce and social gatherings after a month of evaluating whether the easing of restrictions leads to a resurgence in virus cases. In other parts of the country, or if virus cases resume an up-tick, it could be substantially longer.Trump briefed the nation’s governors on the plan Thursday afternoon, saying they were going to be responsible for deciding when it is safe to lift restrictions in their states.“You’re going to call your own shots,” Trump told governors, according to an audio recording obtained by The Associated Press. “We’re going to be standing along side of you.”Meanwhile, under the federal guidelines, those most susceptible to the respiratory disease would be advised to remain sheltered in place until their area enters the final phase — and even then are advised to take precautions to avoid close contact with other people.The federal guidelines come after seven governors in the Midwest announced Thursday they will coordinate on reopening the economy, after similar pacts were announced earlier this week in the West and Northeast.Trump held conference calls earlier Thursday with lawmakers he named to a new congressional advisory task force. The economic costs were clear in new federal data showing that at least 22 million Americans have been thrown out of work in the last month. But the legislators repeatedly urged the president not to sacrifice public health in an effort to reopen the economy.“My highest priority on this task force will be to ensure the federal government’s efforts to reopen our economy are bipartisan, data-driven, and based on the expertise of public health professionals,” said Democratic Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia.Business leaders, too, raised concerns to the president in a round of calls Wednesday, warning that a dramatic increase in testing and wider availability of protective equipment will be necessary before they can safely revive operations.The federal government envisions a gradual recovery from the virus, in which disruptive mitigation measures may be needed in some places at least until a vaccine is available — a milestone unlikely to be reached until sometime next year.“It’s not going to immediately be a situation where we have stadiums full of people,” said Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson on Thursday. “We’re Americans. We will adapt,” he added.New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said at a news conference before the call with the White House that he planned to ask the president for “direct cash assistance,” citing the state’s troubled tax revenues. He also said he would press for “robust health care infrastructure” and mass testing with quick turnaround times before reopening the economy.Trump said Wednesday that data indicates the U.S. is “past the peak” of the COVID-19 epidemic. He said the numbers have “put us in a very strong position to finalize guidelines for states on reopening the country.”Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus task force coordinator, added that data from across the country showed the nation “improving,” but that Americans had to recommit to social distancing to keep up the positive momentum.She said nine states have fewer than 1,000 cases and just a few dozen new cases per day. She said those would likely be the first to see a lifting in social distancing restrictions at the direction of their governors under the guidelines set to be released Thursday.But participants in a Wednesday call with Trump that included executives of dozens of leading American companies raised concerns about the testing issue, according to one participant who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe the private discussion.Another participant said it was stressed to Trump that expansion of testing and contact tracing was crucial, as well as guidelines for best practices on reopening businesses in phases or in one fell swoop.The participant said those on the call noted to the administration that there was about to be a rush on personal protective equipment. Many businesses that are now shuttered will need the protective equipment to keep their employees and customers safe.Trump was told “the economy will look very different and operations will look very different,” one participant said.South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican close to Trump, said the lack of widespread testing was an impediment to lifting the social distancing guidelines. “We are struggling with testing at a large scale.,” he told ABC’s “The View.” “You really can’t go back to work until we have more tests.”But some of Trump’s conservative allies, like economist Stephen Moore, have encouraged him to act swiftly, warning of “a mini Great Depression if we keep the economy shut down.”“That is a catastrophic outcome for our country. Period,” Moore said he advised the president. “We can’t have 30 million people in this country unemployed or you’re going to have social chaos.”The panel, which Trump dubbed the new Great American Economic Revival Industry Groups, also could help give him a measure of cover. If cases surge once restrictions are lifted, as many experts have warned, Trump will be able to tell the public he didn’t act alone and the nation’s top minds — from manufacturing to defense to technology — helped shape the plan.___

Trump gives governors plan to reopen economy

Unified Command confirms a new case for COVID-19 in Scotts Bluff County. A male in his 40s is the newest case and was a close contact of a previously positive case. The investigation has taken place, all close contacts have been notified and are self-quarantining.

Total Tests Conducted in the Panhandle: 725

• One case has recovered and is out of isolation

• Nine have recovered and are out of isolation

• Four have recovered and are out of isolation

All Panhandle residents are encouraged to Stay Home, Stay Healthy, Stay Connected. What does this mean to you?

• Do not visit or host people who do not live with you.

• Keep at least 6 feet distance from anyone you don’t live with.

• Stay home if you are sick or if someone in your home is sick.

• Stay in touch with friends and loved ones

• Check in on people who may be alone or need help.

By PPHDUnified Command confirms a new case for COVID-19 in Scotts Bluff County. A male in his 40s is the newest case and was a close contact of a previously positive case. The investigation has taken place, all close contacts have been notified and are self-quarantining.March 2-April 16, 2020Total Tests Conducted in the Panhandle: 725• Tests that went out today: 82• Positive: 33• Recovered: 14• Box Butte County: 1 case• Cheyenne County: 3 cases• One case has recovered and is out of isolation• Kimball County: 10 Cases• Nine have recovered and are out of isolation• Morrill County: 1 Case• Scotts Bluff County: 18 Cases• Four have recovered and are out of isolationAll Panhandle residents are encouraged to Stay Home, Stay Healthy, Stay Connected. What does this mean to you?Stay Home• Stay home whenever possible.• Avoid gathering in any groups.• Do not visit or host people who do not live with you.Stay Healthy• Keep at least 6 feet distance from anyone you don’t live with.• Wash your hands• Stay home if you are sick or if someone in your home is sick.Stay Connected• Stay in touch with friends and loved ones• Check in on people who may be alone or need help.Panhandle Public Health District, Region 21, 22, and 23 Emergency Management, and Scotts Bluff County Health Department are working as a unified command on this evolving situation. Essential updates will be regularly communicated to the public and community partners.For the most up to date information from the CDC, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.Panhandle Public Health District is working together to improve the health, safety, and quality of life for all who live, learn, work, and play in the Panhandle. Our vision is that we are a healthier and safer Panhandle Community. Visit our website www.pphd.org.

Coronavirus Update