Employee at Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center in Kearney Tests Positive for COVID-19

The Department of Health and Human Services confirmed Thursday evening an employee at the Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center in Kearney has tested positive for COVID-19.

The person contacted DHHS after developing symptoms and has not worked since becoming symptomatic. The Department is currently pursuing a contact investigation.

In a statement, officials outlined some details of various pandemic plans at the state's youth and adult care facilities.

Spaces within facilities have been allocated for possible quarantine or isolation areas. Centers began logging temperatures of staff daily on March 19, and initiated checks for residents on the 25th.

Visitors were also screened for symptoms starting March 14th. Physical visitations were cancelled indefinitely on the 23rd.

“We have continued to assess the needs of our YRTCs and other 24-hour facilities in anticipation of possible community spread of COVID-19," said CEO Dannette R. Smith. "We did not take suspending physical visitation lightly, but we know that we must protect our youth in our care."

Any staff member arriving at work is examined before entering the facility and is not allowed inside if they present any symptoms.

The employee who tested positive has been away from their duties for 5 days, and will not resume work until a medical professor grants them a clean bill of health.

For latest updates, visit netnebraska.org/coronavirus.