Tuesday Jan. 17 COVID-19 update: Douglas County reports 3 deaths

(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

As of 1 p.m. Tuesday, the Sarpy/Cass Health Department had not updated its COVID-19 summary since Friday; that summary includes numbers that are also posted on the CDC COVID data tracker, which is updated on Thursdays.

CASES: The CDC data was reporting 154 active cases of COVID-19 for the past seven days in Sarpy County, up from 142 reported about a week ago; and 24 in Cass County, down from 37 reported last week. 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 16% among 41 tests, down slightly from 16.8% reported about a week ago; and 18.2% in Cass County among 61 tests, down from 27% the week prior. About two weeks ago, it was 14.7% in Sarpy County and 21.2% in Cass County.

The case rates per 100,000 people are 82.3 cases for Sarpy County, up from 75.9 about a week ago; and 91.4 cases for Cass County, down from 141 cases reported last week.

HOSPITALIZATIONS: The CDC shows 17 COVID-19 hospitalizations in Sarpy County in the past week, up from 15 reported by the health department about a week ago; and two in Cass County, the same as about a week ago. The new admissions per 100,000 people in the past seven days was at 9.1, up from 7.8, for both counties.

New COVID-19 patient admissions per 100,000 people in both counties accounted for 9.1% of admissions, up from 7.8% reported last week. COVID-19 hospitalizations currently account for 4% of staffed ICU beds for the three counties, down from 4.8%.

HOSPITAL CAPACITY: Both counties were reporting 8% of hospital beds were occupied by COVID patients, up from 6.2% reported last week; and 4.8% of ICU beds, down slightly from 5% reported last week.

VACCINATIONS: According to the CDC COVID tracker, vaccination rates increased slightly in the last week to 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 Jan. 4, there were 38 active cases of COVID-19 in Dodge County, down from 44 cases reported about a week ago; fewer than 10 in Saunders County, same as recent weeks; and 14 in Washington County — one fewer than reported about a week ago.

The case rates per 100,000 people are 103.8 for Dodge County, up from 72.4 reported about a week ago and 73.8 cases about two weeks ago; still 41.7 cases for Saunders County, up from 32.4 two weeks prior; and 67.5 cases for Washington County, down from 72.4 cases about a week ago but up from 62.7 about two weeks ago.

POSITIVITY RATE: The CDC data shows “low” community levels for all three counties. According to the data, the positivity rate as of Tuesday was at 12.8% for Dodge County among 185 tests, up from 13.6% about a week ago and 9.4% reported two weeks ago; 17% in Saunders County among 64 tests, up from 14% a week ago and 16.7% two weeks ago; and 11.8% for Washington County among 83 tests, down from 18.2% about a week ago but up slightly from 11.6% reported two weeks ago.

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 remained static at 55.9% in Dodge County, 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. Due to the holiday on Monday, this week’s first update was reported on Tuesday.

DEATHS: The local health department reported three COVID-19 deaths on Tuesday.

“A man in his 60s and a man and a woman, both over 75 have died. Only the younger man had been vaccinated,” the DCHD release states.

Douglas County’s COVID-19 death toll now stands at 1,262 people.

CASES: DCHD also reported Tuesday that 212 new COVID-19 cases had been confirmed since Thursday’s report.

The most recent case numbers lowered the seven-day average from 59 cases to 54, the lowest it’s been since Nov. 3. The DCHD dashboard indicated the rolling seven-day average per 100,000 people was at 58.8 cases as of Sunday, down from 71.9 cases reported last week. A year ago, DCHD was reporting that level was on its way down, falling from its pandemic record-high of 2,023.4 cases to 1,865.7.

The latest recent cases bring the local pandemic total to 179,064 cases.

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

The DCHD COVID-19 dashboard indicates the local positivity rate fell from an adjusted 11.7% to 10.9% as of Saturday, compared to 12.9% two weeks ago. That percentage comes from a total of 3,369 tests processed, down from 4,020 a week ago and significantly fewer than the more than 8,000 tests performed about a month ago.

About a month ago, positivity was 24.6%; about two months ago, it was 11.4%. About a year ago, it was 27.9%.

HOSPITALIZATIONS: As of Monday, area hospitals were still caring for 138 COVID-19 patients. Of the current patients, four were in pediatrics, 12 adults were in ICUs, and three patients were on ventilators.

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

A year ago, DCHD was reporting 395 area COVID-19 hospitalizations.

HOSPITAL CAPACITY: Area hospital capacity fluctuates according to staffing levels. As of Monday, hospitals were 87% full with 234 beds available, down slightly from 239 reported Thursday. Area ICUs were 94% full with 17 beds available, up two from Thursday. Pediatric ICUs were 73% full with 12 beds available, down one from Thursday’s report. A year ago, local hospitals were 89% full with 159 beds available; ICUs were 94% full with 17 beds available; and pediatric ICUs were 83% full with 23 beds available.

VACCINATIONS: The data on the DCHD dashboard showed a slight increase in vaccination data. To date, 10,963 pediatric doses — for ages 6 months to 4 years — have been administered in the county, resulting in 11% of Douglas County children in that age group being fully vaccinated.

Vaccination numbers among other age groups also remained static or increased slightly: 68.9% of all Douglas County residents are vaccinated with 61.9% of eligible residents, ages 12 and older, receiving their booster or additional doses. Of youth ages 5-11, 42.7% 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.

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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