CORONAVIRUS: Coverage and resources

What you need to know about the coronavirus, from local news coverage to national health information.

Our team at Channel 8 Eyewitness News wants to keep our viewers informed of accurate information as more cases of novel coronavirus COVID-19 infection are reported locally and across the country. Below we have listed government resources on prevention, along with more general information on how the virus is spread and where it derived from.

We have also listed articles on our national and local coverage. These lists will be updated as more information and resources become available.

Local Coverage (Most recent at the top) 

UNL student denied COVID-19 testing despite symptoms

Lincoln Public Schools enacts Emergency Powers Resolution due to COVID-19

LPS making changes to grab-and-go meal service

Trucking companies working through the coronavirus storm

Cure your kids’ cabin fever with these fun activities!

More than 100 people being monitored for coronavirus in Lincoln/Lancaster County

I’m a doctor at Nebraska Medicine. Here’s what I’m telling my family about COVID-19.

Last Diamond Princess evacuee set to leave Nebraska Medical Center

Nebraska Doctor receives presumptive positive test for COVID-19

Funeral homes among those impacted by COVID-19

Hy-Vee announces new hours due to coronavirus concerns

‘Toilet paper of all things’: COVID-19’s impact on grocery stores – and how you can help

UNL housing to stay open amid coronavirus outbreak

Helping hands: child care centers hope to stay open through coronavirus outbreak

Lincoln gym adapts to new regulations

Lincoln business feels the effects of coronavirus threat

New Nebraska COVID-19 cases and possible community exposure sites

Coronavirus guidelines for America

Lincoln Public Schools cancels classes and activities until further notice

Lincoln’s Catholic schools to close March 16-20 due to COVID-19 concerns

Lincoln Public Schools to cancel classes March 16-22

U-Haul offering free storage for college students displaced by coronavirus

Nebraska advances new budget with virus fears in mind

Officials investigating possible coronavirus exposure at Subway, Pepperjax

Southeast Community College canceling all classes the week of March 16-20

Doane University cancels classes March 16 – 22

Food Bank of Lincoln makes adjustments due to COVID-19 outbreak

Parents prepare for potential LPS closure

Nebraska sporting events will be closed to the public

All University of Nebraska campuses transitioning to remote learning amid coronavirus concerns

Marcus Theatres taking steps to prevent spread of coronavirus

LPS asking for donations of reusable bags to help students bring gear home

Five additional presumptive COVID-19 cases confirmed in Nebraska

Fans react to limitations at state tournament

State basketball tournament still on, officials recommend fans not be allowed

LPS restricting use of facilities to do extra cleaning, disinfecting

Nebraska Public Health Lab on forefront of COVID-19 testing

WHO declares that virus crisis is now a pandemic

Health officials investigating exposure of coronavirus at auto parts store

Major Insurance Companies Agree to Drop Copay for Coronavirus Tests

NDCS outlines preparations to combat coronavirus

CVS to deliver prescriptions for free amid coronavirus concerns

Lincoln schools and city officials prepare for coronavirus after spring break

Coronavirus Fear: Several Lincoln senior centers banning visitors

State officials warn of con artists amid coronavirus concerns and uncertainty

Ricketts: Nebraska could be dealing with virus for a year

Plattsmouth district also canceling classes as precaution

Nebraska urges voluntary quarantine of Special Olympics basketball tournament-goers

Douglas County reports two more COVID-19 cases related to first case

CHI St. Elizabeth screening tool to address statewide concerns of COVID-19

UNL launches COVID-19 Task Force and coronavirus web page

First case of Coronavirus confirmed in Nebraska

UNL suspends student travel outside the U.S. amid coronavirus outbreak

Coronavirus forces UNK to cancel study abroad to Czech Republic

Second participant enrolls in clinical trial of coronavirus treatment

One-on-one interview with Governor Pete Ricketts about the spread of COVID-19

2 people exposed to virus on cruise ship leave quarantine

Bryan Health prepares for potential Coronavirus outbreak

LPS sends letter to families regarding coronavirus

City of Lincoln releases preparation measures for coronavirus outbreak

4 people leave coronavirus quarantine unit in Omaha

Local hardware stores out of masks amid coronavirus preparations

Stock markets see fluctuations inside the coronavirus outbreak

Coronavirus changing how consumers spend

Resources

The Center for Disease Control has several resources that explain how the virus is transmitted, what to do if you think you may be infected, and how to treat and prevent infection.

• CDC Prevention and Treatment
• CDC Protocol for People Experiencing Symptoms
• Coronavirus:  What to do if someone in your Household is Infected

ABC News has compiled a list of answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the disease. You can find a link to that information here: click here. 

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services continues to monitor the spread of coronavirus in our state. It is also updating the number of presumptive, confirmed, and negative cases in our state. You can find a link to that information here: click here. 

Nebraska Medicine/University of Nebraska Medical Center is on the forefront of fighting coronavirus. It has quarantine and biocontainment units, and is home to one of the first clinical trials of a drug to treat COVID-19. You can find a link to that information here: click here.

Bryan Health and CHI have implemented steps to combat the spread of coronavirus. You can find information from Bryan Health: (click here) and CHI (click here).

City officials have created a new website highlighting resources available for residents dealing with COVID-19. You can find a link to that information here: click here. 

Background

CDC is responding to an outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus that was first detected in China and which has now been detected in more than 100 locations internationally, including in the United States. The virus has been named “SARS-CoV-2” and the disease it causes has been named “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated “COVID-19”).

On January 30, 2020, the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee of the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a “public health emergency of international concernexternal icon” (PHEIC). On January 31, 2020, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex M. Azar II declared a public health emergency (PHE) for the United States to aid the nation’s healthcare community in responding to COVID-19. On March 11, 2020 WHO publiclyexternal icon characterized COVID-19 as a pandemic.