Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
Coronavirus Disease, or COVID-19, is a respiratory virus first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. The Health Department is committed to ensuring our residents and healthcare professionals have access to the most up-to-date information to ensure the health and safety of themselves, their patients, and our community. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is closely monitoring this outbreak and publishes the most accurate and timely COVID-19 information. Please visit the CDC's website for more information.
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some causing illness in people and others that circulate among animals, including camels, cats and bats. Some viruses are highly contagious (like measles), while other viruses are less so. At this time, it’s unclear how easily or sustainably this virus is spreading between people. Current symptoms reported for patients with COVID-19 have included mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough, and difficulty breathing.
COVID-19 Positive Case Count by Day the Health Department was Notified; Sarpy and Cass County
View historic Case Count by Day information here.
| Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday |
| Feb 21 26 Cases |
Feb 22 52 Cases |
Feb 23 59 Cases |
Feb 24 53 Cases |
Feb 25 54 Cases |
Feb 26 52 Cases |
Feb 27 0 Cases |
| Feb 28 19 Cases |
Mar 1 108 Cases |
Mar 2 45 Cases |
Mar 3 55 Cases |
Mar 4 51 Cases |
Mar 5 39 Cases |
Mar 6 32 Cases |
| Mar 7 21 Cases |
Mar 8 | Mar 9 | Mar 10 | Mar 11 | Mar 12 | Mar 13 |
COVID-19 Event and Gathering Safety Plan
During the COVID-19 response, local health departments are working with businesses and private individuals to develop event safety plans. The goal of the COVID-19 Event and Gathering Safety Plan is to limit the spread of the coronavirus and keep workers and attendees safe at gatherings, events and venues.
This electronic form will help you write your own event safety plan. Please complete this form, providing detailed descriptions where appropriate. When you submit the form, you can also save a copy of your completed event safety plan. Sarpy/Cass Health Department will review your plan and get back to you to confirm that it is approved or to suggest changes.
Before starting to complete this form, you may want to download and review the Event Safety Alliance Reopening Guide developed by the Event Safety Alliance. This guide will help you consider what steps you will need to take to host safe and successful gatherings or events. Other resources that you may find helpful include CDC's Considerations for Restaurants and Bars and the COVID-19 Nebraska Guidance Documents. These sites are updated regularly.
For the electronic form, please click here.
COVID-19 Testing Locations
- Visit TestNebraska.com to complete an assessment and sign up for an appointment at a drive-through testing site offered through the State of Nebraska.
- OneWorld Community Health Center, 4920 South 30th Street, Omaha, NE. Testing is for OneWorld patients with symptoms. Call 402-734-4110 for an appointment.
- Charles Drew Health Centers, 2915 Grant Street and 5319 N 30th Street, Omaha, NE. Call 402-451-3553 for an appointment.
- CVS Minute Clinics. Visit https://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing to schedule an appointment. Locations include 14460 West Maple Road, 4840 Dodge Street, and 6901 S 84th Street.
- Nebraska Medicine at 402-559-0041
- Nebraska Methodist Health System at 402-354-4800
- Hy-Vee pharmacies on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings. Visit https://www.doineedacovid19test.com/ to register for a test voucher and appointment time.
- Gretna Health. 21689 Northstar Drive, Gretna. Visit COVID-19 Rapid Testing Gretna, NE (gretnahealth.com) to schedule a test or call 402-881-2726.
COVID-19 Vaccination
The Sarpy/Cass Health Department is collaborating with State and local partners to equitably distribute the COVID-19 vaccine in a way that provides the most protection for Nebraskans as quickly as possible. Please visit the COVID-19 Vaccine webpage for more information.
Nebraska COVID-19 Vaccine Pre-Registration
International Travel Health Notices: CDC recommendations for postponing or canceling travel to international countries affected by COVID-19.
Help if you are Visually Impaired
It can be overwhelming to find the resources you need during this challenging time, especially if you have poor or no vision. If you can’t see or can’t see very well, call Outlook Enrichment’s COVID-19 Help Line at 531-365-5059 for assistance from people who understand vision challenges and want to help. This line is staffed 8 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Messages received outside of these times will be answered within 24 hours. These resources can also be found at outlookne.org/covidhelp.
Mental Health Considerations During Infectious Disease Outbreaks
Mental Health and Psychosocial Considerations During COVID-19 Outbreak
Directed Health Measures - Sarpy and Cass Counties
3-1-21 Directed Health Measures - Effective March 1st - March 31st
1-29-21 Directed Health Measures - Effective January 30th - February 28th
1-29-21 Directed Health Measures - Outline of Changes
12-24-20 Directed Health Measures - Effective December 24th - January 31st
12-24-20 Phased Public Health Restrictions
12-11-20 Directed Health Measures - Effective December 12th - 31st
12-3-20 Directed Health Measures - Effective December 3rd - 31st
12-3-20 Options to Discontinue Quarantine FAQ's
12-1-20 Directed Health Measures - Effective December 1st - 31st
10/10/2020 Directed Health Measures - Effective November 11th - 31st
COVID-19 Guidance Documents for specific industries
10/21/2020 Changes to Directed Health Measures - DHM through Novmeber 30th
9/21/2020 Directed Health Measures - Updates to Phase 4
9/14/2020 Directed Health Measures - Phase 4 of DHM through October 31st
9/1/2020 Directed Health Measures - Phase 3 of DHM through September 13th
8/1/2020 Directed Health Measures - Phase 3 of DHM through August 31st
6/22/20 Directed Health Measures
5/29/2020 Directed Health Measures - Expansions and re-opening guidance through June 31st
4/30/2020 Directed Health Measures - Expansion on limitations on gatherings and re-opening guidance through May 31st
4/9/2020 Directed Health Measures - Additions to statewide DHM, schools and extracurricular activities restricted through May 31st
4/1/2020 Directed Health Measures - Cease of in-person instruction in schools for all of Nebraska
3/29/2020 Directed Health Measures - Limitations on gatherings that do not allow for social distancing starting March 31st
3/29/2020 Directed Health Measures
3/26/2020 Updated Directed Health Measures
3/19/2020 Directed Health Measures
Nebraska-specific COVID-19 Information
Nebraska Media Release Archives
COVID-19 Disaster Relief Hotline: 1-844-268-5627
COVID-19 Federal Updates
Jeff Fortenberry - First Congressional District of Nebraska
Don Bacon - Second Congressional District of Nebraska
COVID-19 information for the public
COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about Respirators and their Use
Nonpharmaceutical Interventions
Information for Healthcare Professionals
COVID-19 information for healthcare professionals
Nebraska Dental Association Recommended Office Opening Protocols
Strategies to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 in Long Term Care Facilities
Testing Resources
General guidance and testing information for Nebraskans
Healthcare providers and clinics and facilities testing information
Guidelines for the Conduct of Faith-Based Services - 4-30-20
Guidelines for Restaurant In-Room Dining Reopening - 4-28-20
Guía de Reapertura de Restaurantes Tipo Comedor - 4-29-2020
Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to COVID-19
Information for Schools
Nebraska Department of Education Coronavirus Resources for Schools
Sarpy/Cass Health Department COVID-19 Risk Dial
The Sarpy/Cass Health Department COVID-19 Risk Dial is intended to give an overview of the current risk and severity of COVID-19 in Sarpy and Cass Counties. The guidance for each level is based on federal guidance published by national public health experts. This guidance does not replace any federal, state, or local directed health measure. This tool was developed by the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department and modified for use by the Sarpy/Cass Health Department.
The Sarpy/Cass Health Department COVID-19 Risk Dial is comprised of the following measures, which are all weighted equally. The Health Department continually evaluates these measures, as well as researches additional measures, to ensure the most appropriate factors are utilized to estimate COVID-19 risk in our communities.
- Weekly COVID-19 positivity rate in Sarpy and Cass Counties
- Percent change in the number of Sarpy and Cass County COVID-19 positive cases from the previous week
- Average number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in the Omaha metro area for the week
- Average number of available critical medical equipment (ventilators) in the Omaha metro area for the week
- Average number of adult ICU bed availability in the Omaha metro area for the week
- Percent of cases determined to be community acquired in Sarpy and Cass Counties
- Weekly percent of positive COVID-19 case investigations that were conducted within 48 hours in Sarpy and Cass Counties
Three week averages for each of these measures are quantified into a score ranging from 0 (no risk) to 4 (severe risk). More information about the individual measures can be found in the COVID-19 Risk Dial Metrics document.
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