Monday March 6 COVID-19 update: 8 deaths reported in Douglas County

(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.

Sarpy/Cass data snapshot

The most recent COVID-19 summary from the Sarpy/Cass Health Department was recorded at 9:40 a.m. Thursday; that summary includes numbers that are also posted on the CDC COVID data tracker, which is updated on Thursdays.

DEATHS: SCHD recorded 13 COVID-19 deaths in Sarpy County since Feb. 21, bringing the death toll there to 347 people. Cass County’s COVID-19 death stands at 52 people.

CASES: For the week ending Thursday, SCHD showed the same case data reported last week by the CDC. Meanwhile, CDC data through Sunday showed 113 active cases in Sarpy County, as compared to 101 reported last week.; and 15 in Cass County, compared to 11 reported last week.

The CDC reported a case rate of 60.4 per 100,000 people in Sarpy County, compared to 54.5 reported last week; and 57.1 in Cass County, compared to 41.9 reported last week.

POSITIVITY RATE: The CDC COVID data tracker is still showing “low” community levels for both Sarpy and Cass counties. According to the data, the positivity rate for Sarpy County is 15.2% as of Friday, with 563 tests reported through last Monday; that compares to 13.1% among 513 tests reported a week earlier. CDC data indicated a 1.6% positivity rate in Cass County as of Friday, with 52 tests processed through last Monday; compared to 9.3% among 74 tests reported a week ago.

WASTEWATER DATA: CDC wastewater surveillance data posted at 4:37 p.m. Monday was indicating that 76.4% of recent samples collected in Sarpy County had found detectable virus levels, compared to 72.2% about a week prior.

HOSPITALIZATIONS: The CDC was reporting 15 new COVID-19 hospitalizations in the week ending last Saturday in Sarpy County compared to 13 last week; and still two in Cass County. The new admissions per 100,000 people in the past seven days was at eight in Sarpy County and 4.3 in Cass County, according to the CDC, compared to 4.5 for both counties reported a week ago.

HOSPITAL CAPACITY: COVID-19 patients accounted for 4.3% of patients in Sarpy and Cass counties, compared to 4.4% reported last week for both counties. COVID-19 hospitalizations currently account for 1.3% of staffed ICU beds in Sarpy and Cass counties, compared to 2.8% reported in both counties last week.

VACCINATIONS: According to the CDC COVID tracker, vaccination rates remained at 69.6% in Sarpy County and 64.6% in Cass County in the past week. The CDC’s booster vaccination data nudged up, showing 19.1% of Sarpy County residents and 18.2% of Cass County residents had received the bivalent booster.

Three Rivers data snapshot

Here’s the latest data reported by the CDC COVID data tracker, which is updated on Thursdays.

CASES: This week, the tracker was reporting that for the week ending Wednesday, there were 26 active cases of COVID-19 in Dodge County, compared to 18 cases reported about a week ago; 10 cases in Saunders County, compared to four about a week ago; and seven cases in Washington County, compared to 22 reported about a week ago.

The case rates per 100,000 people are 71.1 cases for Dodge County, compared to 49.2 reported about a week ago; 45.3 cases for Saunders County, compared to 18.5 a week ago; and 33.8 cases for Washington County, compared to 106.1 cases a week ago.

POSITIVITY RATE: The CDC data shows “low” community levels for all three counties. According to the data, the positivity rate as of about a week ago was at 15.6% for Dodge County, with 180 tests conducted through last Monday; that compares to 11.3% and 154 tests reported about a week ago. Saunders County had 17.2% positivity and 32 tests in the same timeframes, compared to 25% about a week ago with 20 tests the week prior. Washington County had 9.8% positivity with 63 tests conducted, 79 tests, compared to 9.8% and 70 tests.

WASTEWATER DATA: CDC wastewater data posted at 3:18 p.m. Monday was indicating that 64% of recent samples collected in Dodge County had detectable virus levels, compared to 64.2% reported about a week ago; and 63.3% of samples in Saunders County, compared to 54.3% reported last week. No wastewater data is available for Washington County.

HOSPITALIZATIONS: The CDC again reported three new COVID-19 hospitalizations for Dodge County for the week ending Saturday, amounting to eight admissions per 100,000 people — the same as in Saunders and Washington counties, which each reported two COVID-19 hospitalizations.

HOSPITAL CAPACITY: In all three counties, COVID-19 patients accounted for 4.3% of new admissions, compared to 4.4% reported the week prior; and 1.3% of ICU beds were occupied by COVID patients, compared to 1.5% the week prior.

VACCINATIONS: According to the CDC COVID tracker, vaccination rates remained at 56.1% in Dodge County, 55% in Saunders County, and 58.2% in Washington County. The CDC also added bivalent vaccination rates, noting that 16.6% of the population in Dodge County had received their bivalent doses, 16% in Saunders County had received it, and 17.9% in Washington County had received a bivalent COVID-19 booster.

Douglas County update

The Douglas County Health Department reports COVID-19 data twice weekly, issuing updated stats on Mondays and Thursdays.

DEATHS: DCHD reported Monday that eight COVID-19 deaths had been recorded in recent days.

“Six men between 60 and 90 years of age have died. Five of them had been vaccinated, but the vaccination status at the time of their death is not known,” the report states. “Two women have died. Both were age 75 or older and one of them had been vaccinated. Her vaccination status at the time of her death is not known.”

Douglas County’s COVID-19 death toll now stands at 1,300 people.

CASES: DCHD also reported Monday that 194 new COVID-19 cases had been confirmed since Thursday’s report. About a year ago, DCHD was reporting 84 new cases.

The most recent case numbers adjusted the seven-day average from 65 people to 64.

About a year ago, DCHD was reporting 53.2 cases per 100,000 people after a pandemic record-high of 2,023.9 cases recorded about two months prior, which caused the health director to implement a mask mandate in Omaha.

The latest recent cases bring the local pandemic total to 181,372 cases.

WASTEWATER DATA: As of 2:14 p.m. Monday, CDC wastewater surveillance data indicated the virus level in Douglas County was at 93%, based on population, compared to 87.8% reported Thursday. The data has been trending upward since Jan. 12 after it had been declining in the weeks prior.

HOSPITALIZATIONS: As of Sunday, area hospitals were caring for 103 COVID-19 patients, compared to 93 reported Thursday. Of the current patients, eight were in ICUs, compared to three reported Thursday. Two COVID-19 patients were on a ventilator.

Additionally, four patients were awaiting the result of a COVID-19 test.

About a year ago, DCHD was reporting 144 area COVID-19 hospitalizations.

HOSPITAL CAPACITY: Area hospital capacity fluctuates according to staffing levels. As of Sunday, hospitals were 83% full with 305 beds available, compared to 270 reported Thursday. Area ICUs were 83% full with 40 beds available, compared to 45 reported Thursday. Pediatric ICUs were 83% full with nine beds available, compared to eight reported Thursday.

About a year ago, local hospitals were 82% full with 262 beds available; ICUs were 78% full with 66 beds available; and pediatric ICUs were 83% full with 23 beds available.

VACCINATIONS: The DCHD dashboard showed an increase in vaccination data. To date, 11,100 pediatric doses — for ages 6 months to 4 years — have been administered in the county, resulting in 10.4% of Douglas County children in that age group being fully vaccinated.

Vaccination numbers among other age groups show a slight increase: 69.1% of all Douglas County residents are vaccinated with 62.3% of eligible residents, ages 12 and older, receiving their booster or additional doses. Of youth ages 5-11, 43.1% are vaccinated; and 70.8% of county youth ages 12-17 are fully vaccinated.

About a year ago, 66.6% of all Douglas County residents were vaccinated; youth ages 5-11 were 33.1% vaccinated; and 66.5% 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

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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