Blood drive worker tests positive for COVID-19
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April 16, 2020
A worker at a Red Cross blood drive, held April 1 in Atkinson, has tested positive for COVID-19.
The North Central District Health Department announced the investigation April 9 and initiated contact investigations with the Red Cross, Central District Health Department and Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, to assess risk of donors and volunteers who attended the drive.
On April 10, 14 potential close contacts were identified and contacted by Red Cross officials.
All the individuals are asymptomatic and are quarantining and self-monitoring at this time.
NCDHD believes this case is low exposure as the worker stated she wore a mask the entire time while working. Red Cross workers are given face masks to wear voluntarily at blood drives.
The window of exposure was set to end April 15, and additional risk for COVID-19 to the community remains extremely low, according to DHHS.
“Following the issuance of new CDC guidance last week, all Red Cross workers will wear face masks at future events. Nebraskans have helped in the COVID-19 response by giving enough blood to meet current blood needs, practicing social distancing and following other recommendations that continue to help flatten the curve in the state,” DHHS reported in a statement released April 13.
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