Delta COVID variant identified at Eustis festival

    Two additional cases of the B.1.617 strain of COVID-19, also known as the Delta variant, have been identified in the Southwest Nebraska Public Health Department.
     After an epidemiological investigation, SWNPHD staff determined that there was likely transmission of the Delta variant at the Wurst Tag Festival in Eustis the weekend of June 11-13.
    At least one person there has been confirmed to have been infected with the variant while at the festival.
     Health department director Myra Stoney encourages people at the festival on any of these dates and who becomes ill to self-isolate immediately, call their healthcare provider and get tested for COVID-19.
    It’s also recommended that other individuals in contact with up to 48 hours before symptoms started be contacted, so they can self-quarantine and seek medical attention if necessary.
    This will help reduce the spread of this highly contagious strain of COVID-19, Stoney said. Symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure.
    Symptoms can include: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea,  vomiting and diarrhea.