OMAHA-A man in his 50s who also suffered from serious underlying health conditions has become the first COVID-19 death in Douglas County, according to the Douglas County Health Department. He had contact with a known COVID-19 case out of state and has been self-quarantined since March 11 at home.
He is thought to be the first COVID-19 death in Nebraska.
“The family of this individual has our most sincere sympathies,” Health Director Dr. Adi Pour said. “This new disease has been in our community for only a short while, but those with co-morbidities are at a greater risk of complications.”
Several simple things can help prevent the spread of COVID-19:
- Stay home as much as possible and avoid crowds,
- Cover your cough with a tissue or cough into your sleeve.
- Wash your hands and keep your hands away from your face.
- Stay home if you are sick or keep family members home if they are sick.
Other basic good health practices should be followed, such as making sure you eat right and get enough rest. The Health Department is asking the public to increase its awareness of self-monitoring for symptoms of COVID-19, which include a fever, cough, sore throat, or difficulty breathing.
If you have COVID-19 symptoms, or develop symptoms, contact your health care provider and tell them how you are feeling. Please notify them of any potential exposure to a confirmed case of the novel coronavirus. We ask that you call ahead before you go to the doctor’s office or an emergency room.
DCHD’s information line remains open to anyone with general questions about COVID-19. That number, (402) 444-3400, is answered seven days a week from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. Nebraska DHHS has a COVID-19 information line open from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. daily at (402) 552-6645. Any person who has questions outside those hours is asked to call the United Way’s 2-1-1 Resource Hotline.