Thursday Feb. 9 COVID-19 update: Douglas County reports 1 death

(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.

Nebraska data snapshot

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services provides COVID-19 data updates generally each week via its Respiratory Illness Dashboard, found on the Nebraska Public Health Atlas. That dashboard does not include data on COVID-19 hospitalizations or deaths, hospital capacity, or vaccinations.

DEATHS: The CDC data tracker reported 19 COVID-19 deaths in Nebraska for the week ending Feb. 1.

The state had reported 4,765 COVID-19 deaths as of Feb. 1, with a death rate of 246 deaths per 100,000 people.

CASES: The CDC data tracker reported 911 COVID-19 cases in Nebraska in the week ending Feb. 1; and a case rate of 47.1 cases per 100,000 people, up from 41.4 reported a week ago, but down from 76.6 cases reported about a month ago.

The state has recorded 560,621 COVID-19 cases since the start of the pandemic.

POSITIVITY: Testing numbers across the state were about the same this week compared to last week. The week ending Saturday showed 10,070 tests conducted — about 450 fewer than the previous week’s adjusted total. In the same time period, positivity rates rose from 8% to 9.5% — about 1.5% lower than the same time last year, but more than 6% what it was in mid-February 2021.

About a month ago, it was 9.3%; two months ago, it was 13.3%. The highest recorded positivity rates during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic have been 23.2% at the end of April 2020 and 23.4% in mid-January 2022.

HOSPITALIZATIONS: According to CDC data, 91 Nebraskans were hospitalized with COVID-19 in the week ending Feb. 1, down from 110 the week prior. About a year ago, Nebraska hospitals were caring for 617 COVID-19 patients — the second-highest number of COVID-19 patients since the start of the pandemic.

The highest spike in COVID-19 hospitalizations in the state was 922 patients recorded on Nov. 18, 2020.

VACCINATIONS: CDC data indicates that 66.2% of Nebraskans have been vaccinated.

Also, 16.3% of Nebraskans have received their COVID-19 vaccination booster; and that 17.5% have received their bivalent dose.

Update on state flu & RSV trends

Influenza numbers, also available on the state DHHS dashboard, continued to decline in the past week, as did the number of tests conducted. The positivity rate as of Saturday, Feb. 4, was 3.9% among 3,402 tests, down from an adjusted 3.6% among an adjusted 3,542 tests the week prior. That trend was the opposite a year ago, when more than 8,000 tests showed a 4.8% positivity rate.

RSV positivity fell from an adjusted 3.7% to 2.7% in the past week among a decreasing number of tests. Last week, 2,188 tests were conducted compared to an adjusted 2,459 tests conducted the week before.

Pottawattamie County data snapshot

The Iowa Department of Public Health website recently removed its COVID-19 data tracking. The CDC data tracker states that it is updated on Thursdays.

DEATHS: The CDC website indicates an additional local COVID-19 death in the past week, bringing the pandemic death toll is now 349 people. The health department does not provide any demographic information or vaccination status for COVID-19 deaths.

The website also shows the pandemic death toll for all of Iowa is 10,538 people, an increase of 30 people in the past week.

CASES & POSITIVITY: The CDC data indicates 35 cases were reported in the past week ending Wednesday. CDC data showed that transmission is low in Pottawattamie County; but no positivity rate data for the county or all of Iowa has been updated since mid-January 2022.

The state reported a total of 1,517 cases in the past week.

The website also shows that the average per 100,000 people in the county is 37.5 cases, up from 26.8 cases reported a couple weeks ago. That metric for all of Iowa is 48 cases.

HOSPITALIZATIONS: The CDC data as of Tuesday shows hospitals across Iowa admitted 23 new COVID-19 patients in the past week, four of them in Pottawattamie County. The data also shows 1.8% of hospitalized patients have COVID-19, down from 1.8% about a week ago; and 4.3% of ICU patients have COVID-19, up from 4% a couple weeks ago.

VACCINATIONS: Vaccination data available from the CDC has remained stagnant, showing 60.7% of the county’s population have received their primary vaccination series. Iowa vaccination data from the CDC indicates that 64.3% of Iowans have been vaccinated; and that 18.9% of the state’s population has received the bivalent booster.

Douglas County update

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

DEATHS: The local health department reported one COVID-19 death on Monday.

“A man over the age of 75 who had been vaccinated has died,” the DCHD report states.

Douglas County’s COVID-19 death toll now stands at 1,278 people.

CASES: DCHD also reported Thursday that 202 new COVID-19 cases had been confirmed since Monday’s report. A year ago, DCHD was reporting 299 new cases.

The most recent case numbers raised the seven-day average from 37 cases to 50, the highest it’s been in about a month. The DCHD dashboard indicated the rolling seven-day average per 100,000 people was at 60.9 cases as of Wednesday, up from 45.5 cases recorded Monday.

A year ago, DCHD was reporting 346.9 cases per 100,000 people — a comparatively high level but on its way down from the pandemic record-high of 2,023.9 cases about a month prior, which caused the health director to implement a mask mandate. A year ago, that mandate was ordered to remain in place.

The latest recent cases bring the local pandemic total to 179,950 cases. The Douglas County COVID-19 dashboard also indicates that the number of reinfections for a rotating seven days ending Saturday, Feb. 4, was 81 cases, up from 71 reported a week prior.

HOSPITALIZATIONS: As of Wednesday, area hospitals were caring for 90 COVID-19 patients, up from 78 reported Monday. Of the current patients, one was in pediatrics, five patients were in ICUs, and no patients were on ventilators.

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

A year ago, DCHD was reporting 342 area COVID-19 hospitalizations.

HOSPITAL CAPACITY: Area hospital capacity fluctuates according to staffing levels. As of Wednesday, hospitals were 86% full with 243 beds available, down from 306 reported Monday. Area ICUs were still 87% full with 34 beds available, the same as reported Monday. Pediatric ICUs were 79% full with 10 beds available, one fewer than Monday’s report.

A year ago, local hospitals were 88% full with 210 beds available; ICUs were 89% full with 40 beds available; and pediatric ICUs were 89% full with 15 beds available.

VACCINATIONS: The data on the DCHD dashboard showed no change in vaccination data. To date, 10,761 pediatric doses — for ages 6 months to 4 years — have been administered in the county, resulting in 10% of Douglas County children in that age group being fully vaccinated.

Vaccination numbers among other age groups increased slightly: 69% of all Douglas County residents are vaccinated with 62.1% of eligible residents, ages 12 and older, receiving their booster or additional doses. Of youth ages 5-11, 42.9% are vaccinated; and 70.7% of county youth ages 12-17 are fully vaccinated.

Update on local flu

Also on Thursday, a Douglas County Health Department spokesman said in an email that there had been 14 local flu-related deaths reported this season, including one pediatric death.

Noting the recent decline in flu cases across the country, the spokesman said 50 confirmed local flu cases were reported last week.

“The total number of (local) confirmed cases for the current flu season now is 7,086, the highest in a decade,” the DCHD spokesman said.

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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