COVID-19 testing planned Friday in O'Neill, Bloomfield

A one-time testing event will be held Friday, April 17, in O'Neill and Bloomfield.

North Central District Health Department will oversee the event, with assistance from the Nebraska National Guard.

According to a media released, received April 16, NCDHD stressed the presence of the National Guard and testing events are not due to a large number of COVID-19 cases in the district.

"The Nebraska National Guard has been in contact with local health departments across the state of Nebraska to set up these testing events to gain a clearer picture of the presence of COVID-19 in our state," NCDHD officials wrote in the release.

Testing events are not a voluntary testing opportunity for the general public.

NCDHD has been in contact with community partners throughout the district and persons in continued public exposure settings have been asked to participate in the testing and will be contacted for scheduling.

Participants have not been limited to having to reside in counties where testing events take place.

Test samples will be obtained from residents across the district. The Nebraska National Guard is prepared to test 100 individuals.

According to the press release, NCDHD will follow-up with individuals who participated in testing and address any potential positive results on next steps.

NCDHD reminds district residents the importance of the Six Rules to Follow to Keep Nebraska Healthy, issued last week by Gov. Pete Ricketts. The directive includes recommendations to:

•Stay home. No non-essential errands and no social gatherings. Respect the ten-person limit.

• Socially distance your work. Work from home or use the six-foot rule as much as possible in the workplace.

• Shop alone and only shop once a week. Do not take family with you.

• Help kids follow social distancing. Play at home. No group sports. And no playgrounds.

• Help seniors stay at home by shopping for them. Do not visit long-term care facilities.

• Exercise daily at home or with an appropriately socially-distanced activity.

"Every day our community members follow these guides helps flatten the curve," NCDHD officials said.