Fremont Community Releases Update Regarding COVID-19
City of Fremont, Fremont Public Schools, Midland University, Archbishop Bergan Catholic Schools, Trinity Lutheran School, Metropolitan Community College, Fremont Family YMCA, Three Rivers Public Health Department, Methodist Fremont Health, Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce & Dodge County
Fremont, Neb. – (Mar. 26, 2021) Recently, representatives from 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 Family YMCA, Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce and Dodge County met to share updates and to discuss the local response to COVID-19.
Mayor Joey Spellerberg opened the meeting by thanking the community partners, local businesses, and all of Fremont for their efforts in minimizing the effects of the COVID-19 virus. Thanks to everyone’s efforts, including abiding by the Board of Health’s mask mandate, many lives were spared from the deadly virus. He reminded everyone that the current Directed Health Measure that requires the wearing of face coverings expires on March 31, 2021, at midnight. He said, “citizens should not view the expiration of the mask mandate as a sign that the threat of COVID-19 no longer exists, but rather it is an opportunity for the community to demonstrate our ability to act responsibly and to continue to protect ourselves and others from this deadly virus. I will continue to work with Three Rivers Health Department (Three Rivers) to monitor the spread of virus and if the risk dial begins to trend upward or if a surge develops in our community, I will work with Three Rivers Board and the Fremont Board of Health to take the necessary steps to curb the surge. I am proud of the efforts Fremont and the surrounding communities have made to control the virus and now, with an increase in vaccines available, our job should be to educate and encourage everyone to get vaccinated. Only then, can we truly defeat the COVID-19 virus.”
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.
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. The City of Fremont is planning to open Splash Station and Ronin Pool this summer. The Parks and Recreation Department is also planning their full line-up of summer activities.
Fremont Public Schools, Trinity Lutheran School and Archbishop Bergan Catholic Schools
- Schools will continue to follow their respective protocols – masks will be required through the end of the school year.
- The school districts will continue to monitor COVID-19 activity within the schools and follow guidance from Three Rivers relative to changes in operations.
- Spring activity guidelines have been announced by NSAA and plans have been developed for involvement in sports and activities – the most noted change: outside activities will still require masks upon entry and then may be removed during the event as long as social distancing can be maintained.
- Fremont High School and Archbishop Bergan High School will both host their respective Proms and will again work together to provide a Post-Prom event for the students.
- Fremont High School Graduation ceremonies will be held at the Wikert Event Center on the Midland campus on May 15. Protocol for the ceremony will be communicated to the members of the Class of 2021 and their families – the event will not be open to the public.
- Archbishop Bergan’s Graduation ceremony will be held at Saint Patrick Catholic Church on Saturday, May 15 at 6:30pm. Protocol for the ceremony will be communicated to the graduating class and their families. Commencement ceremony public attendance information will be communicated by April 30.
- Trinity’s 8th grade graduation service will be held in person, as scheduled, on Thursday, May 20th in the sanctuary.
Midland University
- Midland continues to hold in-person classes with safety protocols in place.
- Commencement is Saturday, May 8, 2021 and will be in-person with safety protocols in place.
- As part of our continued effort to help limit the spread of the coronavirus, Midland University will continue to require masks while on campus. All students, faculty and staff, and visitors are required to wear masks while on campus, whether inside or outside. Social distancing, regular hand washing, and other proven safety measures are being encouraged until further notice.
- 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.
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
To date approximately 250 local residents have been hospitalized with COVID-19 at Methodist Fremont Health and hundreds more have sought care in our Emergency Department. While these numbers have decreased in recent weeks, Methodist Fremont Health continues to care for patients with COVID-19 on a daily basis in both the inpatient and emergency department settings. Methodist Fremont Health is also assisting Three Rivers Health Department in its vaccination efforts having now administered more than 6,000 doses to Dodge County residents since late January. “I am very proud of the work of our almost 1,000 local team members in caring for our patients and community throughout this pandemic. They have bravely modeled the ‘Meaning of Care’ and are true heroes,” says Brett Richmond, President/CEO. “And while we are collectively making great progress as a community, the pandemic is certainly not over and we encourage individuals to continue practicing preventative measures as appropriate.”
Chamber of Commerce
- The Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce wants to thank all of our businesses for continuing to protect their employees with proper PPP equipment and social distancing practices.
- Business is starting to pick up for a number of the retail and restaurants in the Fremont community.
- Mask wearing and sanitization are encouraged at most locations. We urge the citizens of Fremont to continue to eat, drink and shop local to ensure our businesses have the best year yet!
“We are fortunate in Fremont to have a community that supports each other and works together. We truly appreciate the leadership demonstrated by Mayor Joey Spellerberg and Three Rivers Public Health Director Terra Uhing – they continue to lead us through these challenging times,” stated Mark Shepard, Superintendent of Fremont Public Schools.
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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
City 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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