Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a new coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China.

Get the latest information through CDC’s Situation Summary

Check out CDC’s “Frequently Asked Questions” for:

• Basics
• How it Spreads
• How to Protect Yourself
• Symptoms & Testing
• and More

The best way to protect yourself and your family is to avoid being exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19.

Prevent exposure and spread:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, and use at least 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are unavailable
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
• Making and using cloth face coverings (including DIY instructions)
  • Recommendations
  • Frequently Asked Questions

Watch for symptoms:

Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.

The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

Help support preventing the spread of disease in your community

• Funeral Guidance during COVID-19 Memo (GPTCHB)
• Funeral Guidance during COVID-19 brochure (GPTCHB)
• Social Distancing, Quarantine, and Isolation (CDC)

Take steps to protect others.

If you are sick:

• Stay home and isolate as much as possible
• Wear a face mask when around others
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash
• Clean your hands often by washing or using hand sanitizer
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces, and avoid sharing personal household items
• Keep an eye on your symptoms
• If visiting your health provider or seeking care, call ahead

Great Plains Tribal Epidemiology Center is engaged in a variety of efforts to contribute to preparedness for, monitoring of, and response to Coronavirus, including:

• Providing information, including culturally- and locally-tailored information when possible
• Bringing federal, state, tribal, and other partners together to support coordination and alignment
• Responding to Coronavirus-related requests for support 

State Health Departments in the Great Plains Area are actively monitoring and responding to COVID-19 within their respective areas, and offer a variety of state and national resources via their dedicated pages.

• Iowa Department of Public Health
• Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services – COVID-19 hotline: 1-402-552-6645
• North Dakota Department of Health
• South Dakota Department of Health – COVID-19 hotline: 1-800-997-2880

As the situation evolves rapidly, the best way to track cases, outcomes, and other information is to check out existing resources available online from the CDC and others, which are updated frequently.

• Situation Summary (CDC)
• Cases and outcomes in the United States (CDC)
• Cases and outcomes around the world (Johns Hopkins)
• Broader in-depth public health data/analysis (Our World In Data)

For Healthcare Facilities

• Steps Healthcare Facilities Can Take
• Interim Guidance for Healthcare Facilities
• Preventing COVID-19 in Long-Term Care Facilities
• Hospital Preparedness Assessment Tool
• Infection Control
• Mitigating Staff Shortages

For Providers

• What Healthcare Providers Should Know
• Persons Under Investigation (PUI), clinical care, infection control, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and home care guidance
  • CDC Healthcare Supply of PPE
  • CDC PPE Burn Rate Calculator
• FAQs for Healthcare Providers

Laboratory Information

• Testing in the United States
  • For providers requesting testing from South Dakota Department of Health – 1-800-592-1861
• Requests for Diagnostic Tools and Virus
• FAQs for Laboratories

For Pharmacies

For First Responders

Get your household ready

Caring for Children

• Talking with Children During an Infectious Disease Outbreak (SAMHSA)
• Talking with Children about COVID-19 (CDC)

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Considerations for Older Adults

Considerations for People with Disabilities

Animals and COVID-19

Caring for Someone at Home

Other Resources

• South Dakota helpline center – check out their COVID-19 page, or call 2-1-1
  • Closures and cancellations
  • Program restrictions
  • Food and other basic needs information and availability

It is important for businesses and employers to be prepared for the Coronavirus in terms of its potential impact on employees, services, and operations.

Discuss Coronavirus with your Employees and Create a Response Plan

• Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers (CDC)
• Preparation for Small Businesses (CDC)

Cleaning Guidelines for Facilitates with Suspected/Confirmed Coronavirus Disease

• Cleaning and Disinfection

Travel Policies

Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Health Board passed a Coronavirus-related Temporary Suspension of Nonessential Business Travel on March 11, 2020. 

If you are interested in taking similar action, please see GPTCHB’s policy memo as a possible example.

If you have additional questions…

• Check out CDC’s Frequently Asked Questions and Answers page
• Contact your State Health Department
  • Iowa Department of Public Health
  • Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services COVID-19 hotline: 1-402-552-6645
  • North Dakota Department of Health
  • South Dakota Department of Health COVID-19 hotline: 1-800-997-2880
• Contact us at Great Plains Tribal Epidemiology Center
• Contact the CDC at 800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636) or TTY (888) 232-6348
  • Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. ET (English and Spanish)
  • CORONAVIRUS ONLY – Saturday – Sunday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET (English)