Monday Feb. 27 COVID-19 update: 4 deaths 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 Sarpy/Cass Health Department has not updated its COVID-19 summary since 8:15 a.m. Tuesday; that summary includes numbers that are also posted on the CDC COVID data tracker, which is updated on Thursdays.

CASES: For the past week ending Wednesday, CDC data showed 102 active cases in Sarpy County, as compared to 191 reported last week.; and 11 in Cass County, compared to 22 reported last week.

The CDC reported a case rate of 54.5 per 100,000 people in Sarpy County, compared to 48.6 reported last week; and 41.9 in Cass County, compared to 83.8 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 13.1% as of Friday, with 513 tests reported Tuesday; that compares to 10.9% among 759 tests reported a week earlier. CDC data indicated a 9.3% positivity rate in Cass County as of Friday, with 74 tests processed through Monday, Feb. 20; compared to 20.9% among 118 tests reported a week ago.

The case rates per 100,000 people were 271.6 cases for Sarpy County as of data submitted Tuesday, compared to 57.7 cases a week ago; and 282.1 cases for Cass County, compared to 30.5 cases reported Tuesday.

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 13 new COVID-19 hospitalizations in the week ending last Wednesday in Sarpy County compared to 10 last week; and two in Cass County compared to one last week. The new admissions per 100,000 people in the past seven days was at 7.1 for both counties, according to the CDC, compared to 4.5 for both counties reported a week ago.

HOSPITAL CAPACITY: COVID-19 patients accounted for 4.4% of patients in Sarpy and Cass counties, compared to 3.7% reported last week for both counties. COVID-19 hospitalizations currently account for 2.8% of staffed ICU beds in Sarpy and Cass counties, compared to 2% reported in both counties last week.

VACCINATIONS: According to the CDC COVID tracker, vaccination rates nudged up to 69.6% in Sarpy County but remained at 64.6% in Cass County in the past week. The CDC also added booster vaccination data showing 19% of Sarpy County residents and 18.1% 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 18 active cases of COVID-19 in Dodge County, compared to 23 cases reported about a week ago; four cases in Saunders County, compared to seven about a week ago; and 22 cases in Washington County, compared to 17 reported about a weeks ago.

The case rates per 100,000 people are 49.2 cases for Dodge County, compared to 62.9 reported about a week ago; 18.5 cases for Saunders County, compared to 32.4 a week ago; and 106.1 cases for Washington County, compared to 82 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 11.3% for Dodge County, with 154 tests conducted through Monday, Feb. 20; that compares to 8.7% and 187 tests reported about a week ago. Saunders County had 25% positivity and 20 tests in the same timeframes, compared to 13% about a week ago among 29 tests. Washington County had 9.8% positivity with 70 tests conducted, 79 tests, compared to 14.1% and 70 tests.

WASTEWATER DATA: CDC wastewater data posted at 4:37 p.m. Monday was indicating that 64.2% of recent samples collected in Dodge County had detectable virus levels, compared to 63.2% reported about a week ago; and 54.3% of samples in Saunders County, compared to 26.5% reported last week. No wastewater data is available for Washington County.

HOSPITALIZATIONS: The CDC reported three new COVID-19 hospitalizations for Dodge County for the week ending Wednesday, amounting to 4.4 admissions per 100,000 people; one in Saunders County, amounting to 7.2 per 100,000 people; and one in Washington County, amounted to 7.2 admissions per 100,000 people as well.

HOSPITAL CAPACITY: In all three counties, COVID-19 patients accounted for 4.4% of new admissions, compared to 3.7% reported the week prior; and 1.5% of ICU beds were occupied by COVID patients, compared to 2% the week prior.

VACCINATIONS: According to the CDC COVID tracker, vaccination rates remained at 56.1% in Dodge County, 55% in Saunders County, and 58.1% in Washington County.

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 four COVID-19 deaths had been recorded in recent days.

“An unvaccinated man over 75 and three women over 65 have died. Two of the women had been vaccinated, but their current vaccination status is not known,” the report states.

Douglas County’s COVID-19 death toll now stands at 1,290 people.

CASES: DCHD also reported Monday that 203 new COVID-19 cases had been confirmed since Tuesday’s report. About a year ago, DCHD was reporting 109 new cases.

The most recent case numbers lowered the seven-day average from 60 to 65 people. The DCHD dashboard indicated the rolling seven-day average per 100,000 people was at 76.7 cases as of Sunday, compared to 73.3 cases recorded Thursday.

About a year ago, DCHD was reporting 73.1 cases per 100,000 people after a pandemic record-high of 2,023.9 cases recorded about six weeks prior, which caused the health director to implement a mask mandate in Omaha.

The latest recent cases bring the local pandemic total to 180,939 cases.

WASTEWATER DATA: As of 4:37 p.m. Monday, CDC wastewater surveillance data indicated the virus level in Douglas County was at 87.8%, based on population, compared to 64.2% reported Friday. 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 100 COVID-19 patients, compared to 106 reported Thursday. Of the current patients, two were in ICUs, compared to five reported Thursday. No COVID-19 patients were on ventilators.

Additionally, one adult patient was awaiting the result of a COVID-19 test.

About a year ago, DCHD was reporting 207 area COVID-19 hospitalizations.

HOSPITAL CAPACITY: Area hospital capacity fluctuates according to staffing levels. As of Sunday, hospitals were 83% full with 292 beds available, compared to 318 reported Thursday. Area ICUs were 87% full with 38 beds available, compared to 47 reported Thursday. Pediatric ICUs were 76% full with 11 beds available, compared to eight reported Thursday.

About a year ago, local hospitals were 82% full with 254 beds available; ICUs were 81% full with 59 beds available; and pediatric ICUs were 90% full with 13 beds available.

VACCINATIONS: The DCHD dashboard showed a slight change in vaccination data. To date, 10,999 pediatric doses — for ages 6 months to 4 years — have been administered in the county, resulting in 10.2% of Douglas County children in that age group being fully vaccinated.

Vaccination numbers among other age groups remained static: 69% of all Douglas County residents are vaccinated with 62.2% of eligible residents, ages 12 and older, receiving their booster or additional doses. Of youth ages 5-11, 43% are vaccinated; and 70.7% of county youth ages 12-17 are fully vaccinated.

About a year ago, 66.5% of all Douglas County residents were vaccinated; youth ages 5-11 were 32.5% vaccinated; and 66.2% 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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