Residents and staff of Kearney’s Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center were tested for COVID-19 last Sunday after two employees were confirmed positive last week.

DHHS and YRTC staff were supported by the Nebraska National Guard and the Two Rivers Health Department in conducting the tests.

“We are taking decisive action to coordinate testing to ensure the safety and well-being of our residents and staff,” DHHS CEO Dannette Smith said. “The testing process was very efficient and we appreciate the rapid response from the Guard and Two Rivers.”

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An employee of the Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center in Kearney has tested positive for COVID-19.

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services announced the positive test last Thursday evening. The employee contacted the YRTC facility and did not return to work. A contact investigation was underway.

“The Department of Health and Human Services was and continues to be proactive in its efforts to deal with this pandemic,” the department said in a news release. “Each of our youth and adult care facilities developed a pandemic plan that outlines preparations and actions the facility will take to detect and contain COVID-19, while maintaining operations and meeting the basic needs of the facility.”

Quarantine and isolation areas for residents have been identified, and staff are checked daily for fever. Physical visitation has been suspended since March 23. Residents have been monitored for symptoms since March 25.

The employee hadn’t been to work since the previous week and will not return until a full recovery is documented. DHHS is working closely with the local county health department to determine next steps for screening staff and the youth at the Kearney center.

“We have continued to assess the needs of our YRTCs and other 24-hour facilities in anticipation of possible community spread of COVID-19,” DHHS CEO Dannette R. Smith said in a statement. “I wish for a speedy recovery of our teammate.”