Thursday March 23 COVID-19 update: Wastewater data shows spike in Douglas County
DCHD vaccination clinic planned during Saturday event
(WOWT) - Below are today’s updates from data reports on new cases and other COVID-19 stats reported by health officials across Nebraska and western Iowa.
Keep scrolling to find a vaccination clinic near you.
Douglas County update
The Douglas County Health Department reports COVID-19 data twice weekly, issuing updated stats on Mondays and Thursdays.
DEATHS: DCHD reported an additional COVID-19 death on Thursday.
“A woman over 75 who had been vaccinated has died,” the release states.
Douglas County’s COVID-19 death toll now stands at 1,309 people.
CASES: DCHD also reported Thursday that 201 new COVID-19 cases had been confirmed since Monday’s report. About a year ago, DCHD was reporting 85 new cases.
The most recent case numbers keeps the seven-day average at 58 people. The DCHD dashboard indicated the rolling seven-day average per 100,000 people was at 71.2 cases, compared to 71.4 cases recorded Monday.
About a year ago, DCHD was reporting 28.2 cases per 100,000 people after a pandemic record-high of 2,023.9 cases about three months earlier, which caused the health director to implement a mask mandate in Omaha.
The latest recent cases bring the local pandemic total to 182,389 cases.
WASTEWATER DATA: As of 4:15 p.m. Thursday, CDC wastewater surveillance data indicated the virus level in Douglas County had jumped to 90.8%, based on population, compared to 80.6% reported a week ago.
Data from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services shows 60% of cases reported across the state during the week ending Saturday are the Omicron subvariant XBB 1.5.
HOSPITALIZATIONS: As of Wednesday, area hospitals were caring for 122 COVID-19 patients, compared to 119 reported Monday. The latest hospitalizations count is the highest level it’s been since Jan. 21. Of the current patients, five are in pediatrics; and 14 were in ICUs, compared to 17 reported Monday. Five COVID-19 patients were on a ventilator, compared to four reported Monday.
Additionally, seven patients were awaiting the result of a COVID-19 test.
About a year ago, DCHD was reporting 79 area COVID-19 hospitalizations.
HOSPITAL CAPACITY: Area hospital capacity fluctuates according to staffing levels. As of Wednesday, hospitals were 86% full with 242 beds available, compared to 299 reported Monday. Area ICUs were 86% full with 41 beds available, compared to 37 reported Monday. Pediatric ICUs were 75% full with 14 beds available, compared to 15 reported Monday.
About a year ago local hospitals were 79% full with 291 beds available; ICUs were 78% full with 68 beds available; and pediatric ICUs were 86% full with 18 beds available.
VACCINATIONS: The DCHD dashboard showed an increase in vaccinations. To date, 11,329 pediatric doses — for ages 6 months to 4 years — have been administered in the county, resulting in 10.8% of Douglas County children in that age group being fully vaccinated.
Vaccination numbers among other age groups remained mostly static: 69.1% of all Douglas County residents are vaccinated with 62.4% of eligible residents, ages 12 and older, receiving their booster or additional doses. Of youth ages 5-11, 43.2% are vaccinated; and 70.8% of county youth ages 12-17 are fully vaccinated.
About a year ago, DCHD was reporting that 66.9% of all Douglas County residents were vaccinated; youth ages 5-11 were 33.8% vaccinated; and 66.9% of county youth ages 12-17 were considered fully vaccinated.
VACCINATIONS
Retail pharmacies
Vaccine sign-ups: Baker’s | CVS | Hy-Vee | Kohll’s | Kubat | Medicine Man Pharmacy | Sam’s Club | ViaRx | Walmart
Douglas County
Douglas County Health Department has a list of all available COVID-19 vaccination clinics on its website. All clinics are open to the public for any approved shot in the vaccination series as indicated. Those planning to get a booster shot should bring their vaccination card.
FRIDAYS
9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Douglas County Health Department, located at 1111 S. 41st St. – Primary & bivalent doses for ages 6 months and older; flu vaccinations also available
SATURDAY
8 a.m.-1 p.m. at Omaha North High School, located at 4410 N 36th St., during the Black Family Health Wellness Association’s Annual Health Fair – Bivalent doses for ages 5 years and older; flu vaccinations also available
About Text Nebraska
The Douglas County Health Department is encouraging residents who test positive for COVID-19 to cooperate with Text Nebraska in order to help prevent further spread of the virus.
If you are age 19 or older, have recently tested positive for COVID-19, and provided a cell number when registering for your test, you will likely receive a text message from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services phone number 1-844-774-7604 that prompts you to take a survey. Adding that number to your phone’s directory will assure that your phone or provider doesn’t mark it as a spam call.
“It is not spam and is safe to respond,” DCHD said in a Thursday news release, noting that the survey is completely digital and doesn’t require you to speak with anyone.
“Text Nebraska is the next step in contact tracing, and this is where you can help,” Health Director Dr. Lindsay Huse said in the release. “Your response is needed as the number of cases makes it impossible for our staff to keep up with the demand.”
Did you take an at-home test?
Self-report your at-home test result
Fill out the Douglas County Health Department form to assist with virus activity data and contact tracing.
Report home test results
Douglas County Health Department on Monday urged residents to report the results of their home COVID-19 tests to them online at douglascountyhealth.com.
“Look for the blue box labeled ‘Report A COVID-19 Home Test,’ then follow the instructions,” the health department requests.
In-home appointments
DCHD is helping those homebound to get vaccinated, scheduling in-home appointments for all three adult vaccination varieties, for any shot in the series.
To arrange this, call the DCHD information helpline at 402-444-3400.
OneWorld child vaccination clinics
OneWorld offers COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for ages 5 and older at the following clinics:
- In south Omaha at the Livestock Building, located at 4920 S. 30th St.
- In Bellevue, at 2207 Georgia Ave.
- In northwest Omaha, at 4229 N. 90th St.
- In Plattsmouth, at 122 S. Sixth St.
Walk-ins are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis; or you can call 402-734-4110 to make an appointment.
Children’s Hospital
Children’s Hospital offers COVID-19 vaccinations for its patients via Children’s Connect Health Portal.
“Families of non-Children’s patients can schedule by calling 402-955-SHOT,” according to the hospital’s website.
Nebraska Medicine
Nebraska Medicine is offering COVID-19 vaccinations at clinics in several retail pharmacies and health centers around the Omaha-metro.
NebMed will provide vaccinations by appointment at:
- Eagle Run Health Center, located at 132nd Street and West Maple Road
- Fontenelle Health Center, located at 50th Street and Ames Avenue
- Girls Inc. Health Center, located at 45th Street and West Maple Road
- Old Market Health Center, located at 13th and Leavenworth streets
- Village Pointe Health Center, located at 175th and Burke streets
For those looking for walk-in appointments, Pfizer vaccinations will be available at these outpatient pharmacies:
- Bellevue Health Center, located at 25th Street and Highway 370, will offer vaccinations from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; and from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturdays
- Durham Outpatient Center, located at 45th and Emile streets, will offer vaccinations from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. weekdays; and from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the weekends
Novavax vaccinations are available at these outpatient pharmacies:
- Lauritzen Outpatient Center, located at 40th and Leavenworth streets, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays
- UNL Health Center, located at 550 N. 19th St. in Lincoln, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m.-noon
Pfizer vaccinations for children ages 6-12 are available at Lauritzen Outpatient Center, located at 40th and Leavenworth streets, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays.
Around Omaha
SOUTH OMAHA: Testing and vaccinations are available at OneWorld, located at 4920 S. 30th St. Call 402-734-4110 to make an appointment for vaccinating anyone age 12 and older.
CHARLES DREW HEALTH CENTER: Call 402-451-3553 to schedule an appointment.
CHURCH CLINIC: Metropolitan Community Church of Omaha hosts walk-in COVID-19 vaccination clinics periodically on Saturdays. No ID is required, but a parent or guardian must be present at the clinic with teens ages 12-18. The church also distributes at-home test kits.
MCC FORT OMAHA: Metropolitan Community College’s Fort Omaha campus is located at 5300 N. 30th St. Appointments will be made through the county’s vaccination registry.
TOTAL WELLNESS: DCHD has been working with Total Wellness, located at 9320 H Court, to establish regular vaccination clinics on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
VETERANS: Any eligible veterans can obtain COVID-19 vaccinations or boosters at the Omaha VA Medical Center’s COVID-19 vaccination clinics by appointment only. Appointments can be scheduled online.
Sarpy/Cass health district
The Sarpy/Cass Health Department offers the first and second doses of Pfizer and Modern vaccines, Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) single doses, pediatric and infant doses, and booster doses of all three vaccines.
To make an appointment, call 833-998-2275 or 531-249-1873.
The health department offers immunization clinics at Midlands Medical Building One, located at 11109 S 84th St, Suite 1820, in Papillion, NE 68046
- 4-7 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month
- 9 a.m.-noon on the second, third, and fourth Thursdays of the month
Pottawattamie County
The Pottawattamie County Public Health Department no longer hosts COVID-19 vaccination clinics, instead urging residents to receive their shots at area pharmacies.
Free take-home test kits are available at:
- Pottawattamie County Public Health Department office, located at 600 S. Fourth St., Suite 100, in Council Bluffs
- All Care Health Center, located at 902 S. Sixth St. in Council Bluffs
- Super Saver Pharmacy, located at 1411 N Broadway in Council Bluffs
- CHI Health Clinics
- Methodist Health Clinics
- Avoca Journal-Herald Newspaper
- City Halls in Carson, Carter Lake, Macedonia, Oakland, Treynor, Underwood, and Walnut
Three Rivers health district
Three Rivers Public Health Department provides COVID-19 vaccinations during its regular walk-in clinic hours. While the health department does have access to Pfizer and Moderna doses, it’s recommended that you call ahead to make sure they have a current stock of the vaccine formula you’re looking for.
The health department suggests you print and fill out paperwork ahead of your arrival.
Vaccinations are offered during the following Fremont clinic hours at 2400 N. Lincoln Ave.:
- 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays-Wednesdays
- 8-11:30 a.m. and 1-6:30 p.m. Thursdays
- 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Fridays
The Three Rivers clinic, located at 1320 E. 31st St. across from Lake Wanahoo, is open to walk-ins from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of the month.
Off-line help
METHODIST HEALTH INFORMATION: The vaccine is available at most Methodist Physicians Clinic locations. Appointments for the vaccine are recommended and can be made by calling 402-354-CARE.
NEBRASKA VACCINE HOTLINE: Nebraskans can call 531-249-1873 or toll-free at 833-998-2275 for more information on the state’s COVID-19 vaccination process and to get assistance with signing up for a vaccination appointment.
DOUGLAS COUNTY HELPLINE: Local COVID-19 information, in Spanish and English, is available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays, except for holidays. Call 402-444-3400 for assistance.
IOWA VACCINE HOTLINE: Iowans who need help to find a vaccine appointment can call 211 for assistance or 1-800-244-7431. Older or home-bound Iowans can contact Connections Area Agency on Aging at 712-328-2540 or 1-800-432-9209. For multilingual assistance, call 1-877-558-2609.
NATIONAL HOTLINE: To check vaccine availability in your community, call the national COVID-19 hotline at 1-800-232-0233.
Resource links
Where to get a test: Douglas County
Vaccine sign-up: Douglas County | Sarpy/Cass | Three Rivers | Nebraska
Vaccinations at hospitals: Nebraska Medicine | Methodist Health System | Children’s Hospital
Retail pharmacy vaccine sign-ups: Hy-Vee | Walmart | Sam’s Club | Baker’s | Kohll’s | CVS | Kubat
Vaccine information: Douglas County | Douglas County clinics | Nebraska || Iowa | Pottawattamie County | Mills County | Fremont County
COVID-19 dashboards: Douglas County | Sarpy County | Three Rivers Health District | Lancaster County | Bryan Health | Nebraska | Iowa | Worldwide
COVID-19 risk dials: Douglas County | Lincoln-Lancaster County
WOWT.com quick search: COVID-19 | Coronavirus | Vaccine
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