Monday Jan. 23 COVID-19 update: No deaths reported in Douglas County

Today's COVID update shows numbers are getting better, but people are still being hospitalized and still dying.
Published: Jan. 23, 2023 at 8:38 PM CST
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(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 updated its COVID-19 summary at 8 a.m. Friday; that summary includes numbers that are also posted on the CDC COVID data tracker, which is updated on Thursdays.

CASES: The health department was reporting 97 active cases as of Friday morning: 86 in Sarpy County, and 11 in Cass County. That’s down from 154 cases reported last reported about a week ago in Sarpy County; and 37 in Cass County. No demographic or cumulative data is available for COVID cases.

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 9% among 614 tests, down from 16% reported among 41 tests about a week ago; and 12.1% in Cass County among 75 tests, down from 18.2% among 61 tests the week prior.

The case rates per 100,000 people are 45.9 cases for Sarpy County, down from 82.3 about a week ago; and 41.9 cases for Cass County, down from 91.4 cases reported last week.

HOSPITALIZATIONS: The CDC shows 15 COVID-19 hospitalizations in Sarpy County in the past week, down two from about a week ago; and two in Cass County, the same it’s been for a few weeks. The new admissions per 100,000 people in the past seven days was at 8, down from 9.1, for both counties.

HOSPITAL CAPACITY: COVID-19 patients accounted for 5.8% of patients in both counties, down from 9.1% reported last week. COVID-19 hospitalizations currently account for 3.7% of staffed ICU beds for the three counties, down from 4%.

VACCINATIONS: According to the CDC COVID tracker, vaccination rates remained static at 69.4% in Sarpy County and 64.5% in Cass County.

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 27 active cases of COVID-19 in Dodge County, down from 38 cases reported about a week ago; still fewer than 10 in Saunders County, same as recent weeks; and 15 in Washington County — one more than reported about a week ago.

The case rates per 100,000 people are 73.8 for Dodge County, down from 103.8 reported about a week ago; 37.1 cases for Saunders County, down from 41.7 a week ago; and 72.4 cases for Washington County, up from 67.5 cases about 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 Friday was at 10.1% for Dodge County among 184 tests, down from 12.8% about a week ago among 185 tests; 5% in Saunders County among 41 tests, down from 17% a week ago among 64 tests; and 11.5% for Washington County among 75 tests, down from 11.8% about a week ago among 83 tests.

HOSPITALIZATIONS: The CDC is reporting three new COVID-19 hospitalizations in Dodge County, two in Saunders County, and two in Washington County in the past week. New COVID-19 patient admissions per 100,000 people in all three of the counties accounted for 9.1% of admissions, up from 7.8% last week.

HOSPITAL CAPACITY: All three counties were reporting 6.6% of hospital beds were occupied by COVID patients, up slightly from 6.3% the week prior; and 4.8% of ICU beds were occupied by COVID patients, down slightly from 5% the week prior.

VACCINATIONS: According to the CDC COVID tracker, vaccination rates increased slightly to 56% in Dodge County, but remained static at 54.9% 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: The local health department reported Monday that Douglas County’s COVID-19 death toll stands at 1,263 people. It’s the first DCHD report without a death since Dec. 15.

CASES: DCHD also reported Monday that 133 new COVID-19 cases had been confirmed since Thursday’s report.

The most recent case numbers lowered the seven-day average from 44 cases to 41, the lowest it’s been since April 21. The DCHD dashboard indicated the rolling seven-day average per 100,000 people was at 47.4 cases as of Sunday, down from 54.3 cases reported last week. A year ago, DCHD was reporting that level had increased slightly from days prior but ultimately was on its way down, falling from its pandemic record-high of 2,023.4 cases to 1,720.2 cases.

The latest recent cases bring the local pandemic total to 179,286 cases. The Douglas County COVID-19 dashboard also indicates that the number of reinfections for a rotating seven days ending Saturday, Jan. 21 was 52 cases, down from 73 reported a week prior.

A year ago, DCHD was reporting 565 new cases.

POSITIVITY RATE: The DCHD dashboard on Monday indicated the community level remained at “low.”

The DCHD COVID-19 dashboard indicates the local positivity rate fell from an adjusted 11% to 10.3% as of Saturday, compared to 11.7% two weeks ago. That percentage comes from a total of 2,290 tests processed, down from 3,369 a week ago and significantly fewer than the more than 8,000 tests performed about five weeks ago.

About a month ago, positivity was 18.2%; about two months ago, it was 12.5%. About a year ago, it was 26.7%.

HOSPITALIZATIONS: As of Sunday, area hospitals were caring for 117 COVID-19 patients. Of the current patients, four were in pediatrics, nine adults were in ICUs, and three patients were on ventilators.

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

A year ago, DCHD was reporting 430 area COVID-19 hospitalizations.

HOSPITAL CAPACITY: Area hospital capacity fluctuates according to staffing levels. As of Sunday, hospitals were 83% full with 302 beds available, down from 310 reported Thursday. Area ICUs were 85% full with 43 beds available, down from 48 reported Thursday. Pediatric ICUs were 72% full with 13 beds available, down three from Thursday’s report. A year ago, local hospitals were 86% full with 206 beds available; ICUs were 86% full with 42 beds available; and pediatric ICUs were 80% full with 26 beds available.

VACCINATIONS: The data on the DCHD dashboard showed a slight increase in vaccination data. To date, 11,078 pediatric doses — for ages 6 months to 4 years — have been administered in the county, resulting in 11.1% of Douglas County children in that age group being fully vaccinated.

Vaccination numbers among other age groups mostly remained mostly static: 69% of all Douglas County residents are vaccinated with 62% of eligible residents, ages 12 and older, receiving their booster or additional doses. Of youth ages 5-11, 42.8% are vaccinated; and 70.6% of county youth ages 12-17 are 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.

The Douglas County health department is asking residents to report any home-test result using a...

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:

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:

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