Fremont Community Navigates through the Next Wave of COVID
City of Fremont, Fremont Public Schools, Midland University, Archbishop Bergan Catholic Schools, Trinity Lutheran School, Metropolitan Community College, Three Rivers Public Health Department, Methodist Fremont Health, Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce & Dodge County
Fremont, Neb. – (Nov. 6, 2020) The City of Fremont, Three Rivers Public Health Department, Methodist Fremont Health, Fremont Public Schools, Midland University, Archbishop Bergan Catholic Schools, Trinity Lutheran School, Metropolitan Community College, Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce, Dodge County, Fremont Mayor-Elect Joey Spellerberg and Senator Lynne Walz met to discuss the local response to COVID-19. The following entities are providing an update regarding the status of current prevention measures as well as the announcements of availability of facilities, events, and activities in Fremont.
“We are seeing a large increase in the number of COVID-19 cases and I am pleading with the community to protect themselves and others, by wearing masks and social distancing. I cannot stress how dire the situation is right now.” said Terra Uhing, Executive Director of Three Rivers Public Health Department. The following are vital recommendations from Three Rivers Public Health Department:
- Make sure you are following the Directed Health Measures (DHMs) from the State of Nebraska.
- Wash your hands frequently
- Avoid touching your face and wear a mask
- Wear a clean mask every day
- Stay home if you feel sick
- If you are waiting for COVID-19 test results, stay home
- Take personal responsibility for implementing social distancing in order to not infect others.
- If you are a business owner or supervisor ensure that you have a process in place to screen employees so that sick individuals are not coming into the workplace. (This can be done by having employees take temperatures daily and monitor for COVID-19 symptoms)
Please continue to follow Nebraska’s campaign to help slow the spread of COVID-19, the 3 Cs. Families should avoid crowded places, close contact with others and confined spaces. Remembering to avoid the 3 Cs can help keep you safe and slow the spread in our community. Please visit https://threeriverspublichealth.org for more information.
Fremont Public Schools, Trinity Lutheran School and Archbishop Bergan Catholic Schools
- November 4th Fremont Public Schools, Trinity Lutheran School and Archbishop Bergan Catholic Schools announced a change to their protocols according to the level of risk associated with the Three Rivers Public Health Department Risk Dial. In accordance with guidance from Three Rivers, the schools will plan to keep students in class as much and for as long as possible even in late Orange or Red levels.
- The school districts will continue to monitor COVID-19 activity within the schools and follow guidance from Three Rivers relative to changes in operations.
- Winter activity guidelines have been announced by NSAA and plans are being developed for involvement in sports and activities.
Midland University
- Midland’s final day of in-person classes will be Tuesday, November 24th prior to the Thanksgiving break. Students will complete final exams online December 1-4 with the holiday break to follow.
- To further support our community and help meet the needs of our local healthcare system, Midland and Nebraska Methodist College are partnering to offer free Certified Nursing Assistant training to 100 students. For more information, visit methodistcollege.edu/CNA100.
- Please visit www.midlandu.edu/coronavirus for more information.
Metropolitan Community College
- MCC continues to offer a blend of in-person and online courses, including dual-credit courses in area high schools. Classes offered in-person are limited to hands-on learning curriculum in lab settings. For information regarding student resources, visit mccneb.edu/coronavirus-update.
City of Fremont
All City buildings are open to the public, but precautions have been put in place to protect city employees and the public as they interact with one another. Please note that all social distancing requirements and State Directed Health Measures must be followed in all City buildings and at all City meetings. Mayor-elect, Joey Spellerberg, joined the meeting for the first time. He said, “It is great to see all of the collaboration going on between the different entities within our community. Having everyone on the same page creates consistency throughout Fremont and provides assurance to the public that we are working together to keep everyone safe.”
Dodge County
The Dodge County Courthouse will remain open, with all services available. Masks and hand sanitizer are available at the entrance and encouraged for all patrons to use.
Methodist Fremont Health
Methodist Fremont Health is experiencing record numbers of COVID-19 patients in the hospital and emergency department. To date more than 100 local residents have been hospitalized with COVID-19 with 12-24 COVID-19 patients now receiving care in our emergency department each day. Based on current community case rates Methodist Fremont Health anticipates volumes to more than double in the coming weeks, challenging the organization’s ability to care for the community. “Our COVID-19 patients are very staff and resource intensive and, when combined with other hospital patients, are placing a significant strain on the organization and specifically our care providers. Without increased diligence in the community, we anticipate this situation getting worse before it gets better.” says Brett Richmond, President/CEO.
Chamber of Commerce ZOOM Presentation – COVID-19 Update
On Tuesday, November 10, at 2:00 pm the Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a ZOOM presentation entitled Navigating Through the Next Wave of Covid. The purpose of this important event is to provide updated information in regards to the status of the virus currently in our community, insight into the current trajectory of the virus, possible implications and offer suggestions for keeping our businesses viable throughout the pandemic. Speakers will include Mayor Scott Getszchman, Three Rivers Executive Director Terra Uhing, Methodist Fremont Health President/CEO Brett Richmond, Methodist Fremont Health Infectious Disease Control Specialist Dr. Angela Sukstorf, Chamber Of Commerce Board Chair Dr. Brad Dahl and District 15 Senator Lynne Walz. To register for this event please go to the Chamber website fremontne.org or call the Chamber at 402-721-2641. You can also view the event live on the Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce Facebook page. If you are unable to attend this live event a recorded version will also be posted to the Chamber’s Facebook page.
District 15 Senator Lynne Walz commented, “The relationship between all of the entities represented today and truly throughout the pandemic have allowed Fremont to continue to prosper during these challenging times. It’s refreshing to see the leadership of each of these entities continue to problem solve and find ways to meet the needs of our families and community.”
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Hope Pierce
Coordinator of Communications & Public Relations
Fremont Public Schools
hope.pierce@fpsmail.org
402-727-3088
Merritt Nelson
Vice President of Enrollment Management & Marketing
Midland University
nelson@midlandu.edu
402-380-0187
Dan Koenig
Principal
Archbishop Bergan Catholic School
dan.koenig@berganknights.org
402-721-9683
Greg Rathke
Principal
Trinity Lutheran School
greg.rathke@trinityfremont.org
402-721-5959
Todd Hansen
Executive Director, Fremont Area Center
Metropolitan Community College
thansen@mccneb.edu
531-622-3001
Brian Newton
Administrator
City of Fremont
Brian.Newton@fremontne.gov
402-727-2630
Thomas Smith
Emergency Manager
Dodge County
402-727-2785
Terra Uhing
Executive Director
Three Rivers Public Health Department
terra@3rphd.org
402-727-5396 X103
Tara Lea
Executive Director
Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce
tara@fremontne.org
402-721-2641
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