OMAHA, Madness (WOWT) – The Douglas County Health Department said Friday that 100 positive cases of COVID-19 – most of it in the UK – were followed in a garden in northwestern Omaha; and that a possible second outbreak related to “an event” is under investigation.
DCHD said more than half of Rosewood Academy’s childcare and preschoolers and “participants” were affected by the outbreak of B.1.1.7 and that follow-up investigations confirmed that the outbreak originated in kindergarten. .
Justin Frederick, supervisor of the epidemiology of communicable diseases for Douglas County, said officials are working to determine if another possible group of positive cases has been linked to the UK-confirmed variant in kindergarten. As the investigation is still ongoing, he could not specify anything more about the potential second potential outbreak than to say that the setting was “an event”.
The health department said the outbreak is of particular concern because the UK version is easier to spread and because children appear to be more susceptible to contracting it, noting that several cases of the variant have been confirmed in Douglas County.
“It is crucial that child care providers be vaccinated,” said Health Director Dr. Adi Pour. “Child care providers are eligible for the vaccine and can easily make an appointment on the DCHD website.”
Frederick said the outbreak is not unique to Rosewood; it can happen at any type of school.
The DCDC on Friday repeatedly stressed the need to continue those preventive measures. Health and government officials stressed throughout the pandemic and urged everyone to receive COVID-19 vaccination when they are eligible.
“We need to really emphasize the importance of vaccinating childcare workers. This is not the time to let your guard down, ”said DCHD spokeswoman Phill Rooney, noting that accessories that qualify for COVID-19 vaccination are welcome at Saturday’s clinic at Girls Inc.
He said the number of positive cases in the community is similar to the levels recorded in the area last summer, stressing the importance of focusing on prevention.
We really need to get those people into those positions that are as important as marking them vaccinated. The British version is definitely here and makes its presence known “, he said.
DCHD reminds everyone – especially those who work with children – to keep up with the basics of COVID-19 prevention: wash your hands, wear masks “whenever you are around strangers, and in this case , at the child care units ”. The health department also stressed that “quarantine and isolation procedures must be followed”.
“Just keep your mask up; wash your hands. And if you’re sick, stay home – and get the vaccine for the first time, “Rooney said.
One of the three locations of the Rosewood Academy in Omaha, the location near 158th and Fort streets, was listed as “temporarily closed” on Google Maps on Friday afternoon.
Frederick said Rosewood Academy could open immediately on Monday, if they want, after they have completed the required 10-day quarantine period. He said the garden cooperated with the health department investigation and that the two entities worked together to notify those who were or could be infected.
Rosewood Academy issued a statement on Friday afternoon, noting that the outbreak was limited to the location in northwestern Omaha, which had been closed since March 18. at home if they had a fever above 99 degrees “, it is shown in the communiqué, as opposed to the threshold of 100.4 degrees recommended by CDC.
“The health and safety of children, families and staff is a top priority for Rosewood Academy care and preschoolers. The spread of the UK (UK) variant at Rosewood Academy aligns wherever it is present – it spreads more easily, and children are more susceptible to it. Prevention procedures and protocols are the same as other variants of the virus, using thorough screening processes, hand washing procedures and cleaning with staff, children and families.
Before closing our Northwest location on March 18, Rosewood Academy exceeded the requirements of public health experts and sent children home if they had a fever above 99 degrees, rather than the 100.4 requirement. A difficulty with the highly transmissible variant in the UK is that children are often asymptomatic during daily temperature screening procedures.
More than a year of pandemic navigation, due to strict procedures and vigilant practices, all three Rosewood Academy childcare and preschool locations remained open without interruption until the UK version caused many of the COVID-19 infections. involving staff members and children from our Northwest Location. The outbreak was limited to one location.
Rosewood Academy for Child and Preschool Care continues to work closely and proactively with the Douglas County Health Department and families. Families and staff receive ongoing communications and instructions regarding quarantine requirements before returning to Rosewood Academy and preschool. Staff members are expected to continue to report symptoms of COVID and are required to meet the quarantine requirements submitted by the Douglas County Health Department after any positive test result, which has always been the procedure since the arrival of the virus. Rosewood Academy Childcare and Preschool will continue to work closely and cooperate with the Douglas County Health Department to monitor this situation and encourage families and staff to receive the vaccine as soon as possible. ”
Rooney said it is not yet known exactly how the British version arrived in Douglas County, but that the trip is often the way this happens.
“There is a saying we have with the health department: that the next outbreak or the next pandemic is just a plane ride away,” he said. “People are moving around the globe, all over the country, and that’s great – but we have to be aware of some things.”
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This is a developing story. Stay with 6 News for updates.
Clarification: An earlier version of this story indicated that all cases related to Rosewood Academy have been confirmed as the UK variant, when some of the cases cannot be confirmed as such, according to a DCHD spokesman.
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