Important Information on COVID-19
Where to Find COVID Testing in Southwest Nebraska
Where to Find COVID Vaccine in Southwest Nebraska
COVID-19 Testing Now Available at SWNPHD McCook and Ogallala Locations
Sign up for an appointment at Register My Time - Events
FREE AT-HOME COVID-19 TESTS
COVID-19 home test kits are available at our McCook office and at locations across the health district.
To request kits by mail call 308-345-4223.
If you test positive with an at-home COVID test, follow the isolation and quarantine instructions below.
You do not need to notify the health department.
Update: The CDC has a new tool to help you decide what precautions are appropriate for the level of COVID-19 in your county, based on the latest data.
Practice good health habits and monitor public health information for changes in the situation.
Weekly COVID Data for Southwest Nebraska
UNMC Weekly Update on COVID-19 in Nebraska and the U.S.
PDF Printable Isolation Guidance
PDF Printable Quarantine Guidance
PDF Printable Vaccinated Exposure Guidance
Spanish Vaccinated Exposure Guidance
How long to stay home if you are sick or exposed to COVID-19
CDC Guidelines for Fully Vaccinated Individuals
CDC Guidance for Unvaccinated Individuals
DIY Contact Tracing Instructions
What To Do If You Think You Are Sick
- Stay home if you feel ill. Most individuals who become ill will have mild to moderate symptoms that can be treated at home with pain and fever reducers like acetaminophen (Tylenol). It is the most helpful to remain at home and avoid spreading the virus to others.
- Talk to your doctor. They will help you know if you should be tested for COVID-19. For those who experience more severe symptoms, call ahead to your medical provider before going in to their office.
- Severe symptoms means you have signs that there is not enough oxygen getting into your blood, such as bluish lips, confusion, difficulty breathing, or pain/pressure in the chest that doesn't go away.
- Know when it's ok to be around other people again. The CDC has provided the following guidance to know when to end home isolation and quarantine:
- Home isolation ends when it has been at least 10 days since symptoms first appeared AND no fever for at least 24 hours (without fever reducing medicine) AND all other symptoms have improved (e.g., cough has improved).
When and Where to Test
Contact your healthcare provider for instructions on testing if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.
Where to Get Tested for COVID in Southwest Nebraska (in Spanish)
Free COVID-19 testing at Mark's Pharmacy, Cambridge - Register Here
Tues-Fri, 1-2 pm CT
Dr. Deb's Express Medical Care, North Platte - 308-221-6068
Testing for symptomatic/asymptomatic/return to work/travel.
Banner Health in Ogallala and Nomi Health in Lincoln are doing drive-thru COVID testing.
Find a Testing Location Near You
Travelers: Testing for COVID-19 that will pass travel requirements can be done at Walgreens or CVS Pharmacies.
TestedandProtected.org: Free Testing for Congregate Settings - Schools, Corrections Facilities, Shelters, etc.
All COVID-19 tests have the potential to return false-negative results, meaning that someone has a coronavirus infection but the test results say they don't. That's more likely to happen earlier on in the infection, possibly before there are noticeable symptoms.
So coronavirus tests are most helpful when used to diagnose someone who has symptoms of the infection or for widespread frequent testing alongside other public health measures, like getting vaccinated, wearing masks, and social distancing. Even when you have a single negative COVID-19 test, it's still safest to continue using those other tools—especially at indoor events with lots of people.
Find tools to help you do your part to find and inform people you came in close contact with while you were contagious with the virus that causes COVID-19 at www.netracing.org.
EPA List of Disinfectant Cleaning Products for COVID-19 (includes Clorox and Lysol)
Daily Wipe-Down Checklist to Prevent Household Spread