COVID-19 Resources

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new coronavirus that had not been previously identified by global health experts prior to 2019. We know that COVID-19 seems to be spreading easily and sustainably in the community (“community spread”) and this is especially true in some geographic areas. The virus that causes COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly from person to person – mainly through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes – and can affect some individuals much more severely than others.

 

There is much information that we now know about the virus and more seems to be developing daily. The Great Plains IDeA-CTR Network wants to assist communities and healthcare providers in any way that we can. For this reason, a repository of resources concerning symptoms and management of the virus has been developed to help communicate the existing information out in the world. Resources from a variety of different agencies, organizations, and health partners have been compiled here. These links have been arranged by user: community member and healthcare provider. At the bottom of this page, you will find an interactive map developed by John Hopkins University which updates in real-time and displays the prevalence of the virus. This is by no means a comprehensive list but we will continually update this repository as new resources and information become known.

For Community Members

  • Vaccines
    • Vaccine Spotter combs through data from pharmacy websites to find open vaccine appointment spots in your state.
    • Vaccine Finder can also provide you with a link to schedule the appointment through the location’s website or with a phone number to call to make an appointment.
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
    • The CDC offers GUIDANCE on how best to protect yourself and others from contracting the disease.
    • If you are sick with COVID-19 or think you might have COVID-19, follow THESE STEPS to care for yourself and to help protect other people in your home and community.
  • The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
    • OSHA has provided several TIPS AND PROCEDURES to protect employees who are still working outside of their homes including guidance on how to prepare workplaces to prevent the spread.
    • Multiple outbreaks of COVID-19 among meat and poultry processing facility workers have occurred in the United States recently. For this reason, OSHA and the CDC have updated GUIDANCE to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in meat and poultry processing facilities.
  • The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
    • The DHHS offers UPDATES AND ADVICE from a public health perspective.
    • As part of the Technical Resources, Assistance Center, and Information Exchange (TRACIE), the DHHS has provided a REPOSITORY of resources to help healthcare providers, caregivers, and the general population prepare for and manage the negative behavioral effects that can accompany a public health emergency.
    • UNMC has helped the Nebraska DHHS curate a RESOURCE page for healthcare providers and related audiences. Here you will find information related to the clinical care of COVID-19 patients, personal protective equipment (PPE) use, contact tracing, and more.
  • The Department of Labor (DoL)
    • The DoL has provide a RESOURCE PAGE for workers affected by COVID-19. Information concerning workplace safety, wages and leave, unemployment, and other support is offered.
  • World Health Organization (WHO)
    • WHO provides a global perspective and resources. Find ADVICE for basic preventive measures, travel, and healthy parenting as well as live updates on the pandemic.
  • The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
    • The FDA provides ANSWERS to frequently asked questions concerning the safe handling of food and animals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Nebraska Medicine
    • Nebraska Medicine, a global leader in treatment and training for infectious disease, has provided a list of GUIDANCE AND RESOURCES for community members including advice for immunocompromised people and advice for a successful self-quarantine.
  • University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC)
    • Based on the latest CDC guidance, UNMC offers a RESOURCE PAGE for UNMC and community stakeholders which includes travel guidance and wellness resources.
    • Hosted by the UNMC Wellness Council, experts from UNMC and Nebraska Medicine shared resilience-building skills in a seminar entitled “Handling Stress in Uncertain Times” on April 9th, 2020. The SEMINAR has been made public to help folks better understand signs of anxiety and distress and to offer practical, concrete skills they can use to promote their well-being, including a personalized well-being roadmap.
    • This GUIDE is intended to provide best practices and recommendations for K-12 schools to minimize the risk that COVID-19 presents to employees, students, and the community and to reduce disruptions to education.
    • This document outlines a PROPOSED CHECKLIST as a tool to guide the pre-kindergarten through grade 12 (PK-12) for COVID-19 recovery management strategies and facilitate readiness during three steps that are based on disease prevalence and stability of available school and community resources.
  • Feeding America
    • The Feeding America nationwide network of food banks secures and distributes 4.3 billion meals each year through food pantries and meal programs throughout the United States and leads the nation to engage in the fight against hunger. Find locations in your area HERE.
  • The Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
    • The FTC is a great source of information to help consumers AVOID SCAMS related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • CVS Caremark
    • CVS has created a COVID-19 resource website that has some helpful information on COVID-19 (including testing and vaccination). Although the COVID-19 vaccine is not yet available at pharmacies in Nebraska, THIS WEBSITE will be continuously updated as vaccines become available for the general population.
  • COVID Exit Strategy
    • Want to know how we’re trending nationally and by-state? A collaboration from individuals across agencies, “COVID Exit Strategy” is a continuously updated resource for reporting each state’s progress towards stopping the spread of COVID-19.

For Healthcare Providers

  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
    • The CDC is a valuable resource for healthcare providers by offering GUIDANCE on preserving supplies, caring for patients, and protecting workers.
  • The American Medical Association (AMA)
    • The AMA published a list of RESOURCES to support healthcare workers during the pandemic. Several services and policies (e.g. meal delivery, PPE use, emotional support) have been specifically made available – some at no cost – for healthcare workers.
  • World Health Organization (WHO)
    • WHO provides a global perspective and resources. Find TECHNICAL GUIDANCE concerning clinical care, mental health considerations, and right and responsibilities of health workers.
  • The National Consortium of Telehealth Resource Centers (TRC)
    • TRCs have been established to provide ASSISTANCE, education, and information to organizations and individuals who are actively providing or interested in providing health care at a distance.
    • HERE you will find a short video highlighting some of the best practices for healthcare providers when using telehealth to provide services.
  • The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
  • University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC)
  • Nebraska Medicine
    • Nebraska Medicine, a global leader in treatment and training for infectious disease, has provided a RESOURCE PAGE for providers which includes updates, PPE use, protocols and checklists, and guidance in the treatment of COVID-19.
  • The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
    • The DHHS has provided GUIDANCE for healthcare providers to ensure HIPAA rules are followed while conducting telehealth for patients.
    • As part of the Technical Resources, Assistance Center, and Information Exchange (TRACIE), the DHHS has provided a REPOSITORY of resources to help healthcare providers, caregivers, and the general population prepare for and manage the negative behavioral effects that can accompany a public health emergency.
    • UNMC has helped the Nebraska DHHS curate a RESOURCE page for healthcare providers and related audiences. Here you will find information related to the clinical care of COVID-19 patients, personal protective equipment (PPE) use, contact tracing, and more.
  • Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
    • CMS recently released a TOOLKIT specifically for those providing telehealth or telemedicine services for long-term care nursing facilities.
  • National Institute of Health (NIH)
    • The NIH also provides UPDATES on COVID-19 from a research and funding perspective. Be sure to scroll down to the “Healthcare Resources” tab to view the NIH repository of clinical care advice and procedures, based on CDC guidance.
    • The COVID-19 pandemic presents unique challenges for people with substance use disorders and in recovery. The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) has provided a RESOURCE PAGE for providers treating addiction and substance use disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Epidemiological organizations

  • Johns Hopkins University Dashboard

  • The Nebraska Health Information Initiative (NEHII) provides detailed local resources on the COVID-19 response here.