FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | June 18^th, 2020

New Cases and Additional COVID-19 Related Deaths Reported in Winnebago

WINNEBAGO, NE – Two more positive COVID-19 related cases and two additional deaths related to COVID-19 have been reported in Winnebago. The two additional positive cases are both reported in good condition and recovering at home. The two COVID-19 related deaths were not related to each other and in both cases the individual had underlying health issues. Winnebago now has a total of sixty-six positive cases of Coronavirus, and of those fifty people have already recovered. There have now been a total of three COVID-19 related deaths within the Winnebago Community. 

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who lost a loved one. We were fortunate to have only one new positive case from the recent mass testing event but the fact that we also had two COVID-19 related deaths around the same time amplifies the need for us to take this virus seriously by following all safety precautions. We are a small community and every single life lost to this virus is one too many,” said Danelle Smith, Winnebago Comprehensive Healthcare System CEO.

This comes after a successful mass testing event was held in Winnebago last Tuesday, June 9^th. TestNebraska, which is a state initiative aimed to bring COVID-19 testing to Nebraska residents, teamed up with the Winnebago Health Department and the Winnebago Tribe to test any Winnebago resident that wanted to be tested. The goal was to dramatically increase the rate of COVID-19 testing on the Winnebago Reservation to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. A total of 228 individuals were tested in four hours, and of those tests only one person from Winnebago was confirmed positive with COVID-19. 

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness with no known cure or vaccine. Winnebago community members experiencing shortness of breath, sore throat, runny nose, and cough are urged to call the COVID-19 Hotline at (402) 922-1508. Per Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, it is recommended that individuals stay home except to get necessary medical care. Individuals with underlying conditions, such as diabetes or those with compromised immune systems are the most high-risk for contracting the virus.

Winnebago Comprehensive Healthcare System is operated by the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska and consists of two divisions. Twelve Clans Unity Hospital is a 13-bed state-of-the-art healthcare facility that serves an estimated 10,000 Native Americans who live on the Winnebago Reservation and in the surrounding region. Health care services provided by the hospital include an ambulatory care clinic, inpatient care, express care clinic, pharmacy, radiology, emergency care, medical laboratory, physical therapy, social services, and more. The Winnebago Public Health Department strives to create and maintain a healthy community by providing a wide range of total health and wellness programs. These programs include physical, mental, safety, and social services that benefit the Winnebago community.

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