JCH&L Takes Precautionary Measures Regarding COVID-19

Jefferson Community Health & Life is taking precautionary measures and preparing for possible cases of COVID-19. While a small number cases have been identified in Nebraska, none have been identified to date in Jefferson County or surrounding counties.

As of Wednesday, March 11, JCH&L was discouraging visitors to Gardenside and Cedarwood, as the residents and tenants are among the most vulnerable to COVID-19 and influenza, which remains active in the area. Anyone who must visit Gardenside or Cedarwood, and patients at any JCH&L facilities, are now being screened for COVID-19 risk factors.

Screening questions include:

• Have you traveled to China, Iran, Italy or South Korea or have you been on a cruise ship recently?
• Do you have any signs or symptoms of respiratory infection (fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat)?
• Have you had contact with someone who has COVID-19 or who is under investigation for COVID-19?
• Do you live in a community where community-based spread of COVID-19 is occurring?

Anyone who has any of these risk factors will not be allowed to visit Gardenside or Cedarwood. JCH&L continues to require masking for any visitors to Gardenside or Cedarwood who have not been vaccinated for influenza.

Hospital or clinic patients with positive screening results will be cared for appropriately and given guidance and direction. Non-essential services may be rescheduled.

Patients who have symptoms of possible respiratory illness are encouraged to call for screening over the telephone before arriving at any medical facility.

“The health and wellness of our residents and tenants and the caregiving team who support them is our number one priority,” said Vic Lee, interim CEO at JCH&L. “We are staying abreast of the latest information from the Nebraska DHHS Division of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and we are working with state and local public health officials.”

We will be educating staff and residents and families on symptom awareness for COVID-19, and infection control best practices.

“We have plans in place for a wide variety of emergencies. These plans continue to be updated and details are changed appropriately as needed for specific possible concerns, such as COVID-19,” Lee said. “Precautionary measures may change as we receive new information on COVID-19.”