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

The Sarpy/Cass Health Department no longer publishes its COVID-19 dashboard. Instead, the health department posts a COVID-19 summary, which was last updated at 10:15 a.m. Tuesday, pulling numbers from the CDC COVID data tracker recorded through Dec. 21.

DEATHS: To date, the Sarpy/Cass Health Department has reported 320 COVID-19 deaths in Sarpy County and 48 deaths in Cass County. The dashboard does not provide any information about their age ranges or pre-existing conditions.

CASES: The dashboard was still reporting 261 active cases of COVID-19 for the past seven days in Sarpy County, down from 313 reported about a week ago; and 34 in Cass County, down from 42 as of last week. The health district no longer provides demographic information for cases, and it doesn’t provide cumulative totals.

POSITIVITY RATE: The CDC COVID data tracker is showing “medium” community levels for both Sarpy and Cass counties. According to the dashboard, the positivity rate for Sarpy County is 16% among 1,043 tests, up from 15.3% the week prior; and 12.2% in Cass County among 48 tests, down from 14.2% the week prior. Two weeks ago, it was 15.7% in Sarpy County and 17.2% in Cass County.

The case rates per 100,000 people are 139.4 cases for Sarpy County, down from 167.2 about a week ago; and 129.5 cases for Cass County, down from 160 cases last week.

HOSPITALIZATIONS: The Sarpy/Cass Health Department is reporting 25 COVID-19 hospitalizations in Sarpy County, down from 17 reported about a week ago; and three in Cass County, up from two about a week ago. The new admissions per 100,000 people were at 13.3 for both counties, up from 8.8 the week prior.

VACCINATIONS: According to the CDC COVID tracker, vaccination rates nudged up to 69.3% in Sarpy County, and 64.4% in Cass County.

Three Rivers data snapshot

Here’s the latest data reported by the CDC COVID data tracker.

CASES: As of Tuesday, the tracker was reporting that for the week ending Dec. 21, there were 105 active cases of COVID-19 in Dodge County, up from 68 cases about a week ago; 21 in Saunders County, up from 14 about a week ago; and 38 in Washington County, up from 21 about a week ago.

POSITIVITY RATE: The CDC COVID data tracker is showing “high” community levels for Dodge County, and “medium” for Saunders and Washington counties. According to the data, the positivity rate is at 14.4% for Dodge County among 412 tests, down from 16.5% about a week ago and 20% reported two weeks ago; 14% in Saunders County among 67 tests, down slightly from 14.5% a week ago; and 14.2% for Washington County among 141 tests, down from 25% about a week ago.

The case rates per 100,000 people are 287.2 for Dodge County, down from 786.8 reported about a week ago but up from 186 cases about two weeks ago; 97.3 cases for Saunders County, up from 64.8 a week prior but about the same level reported two weeks ago; and 183.3 cases for Washington County, down from 511.9 cases about a week ago and 241.2 about two weeks ago.

HOSPITALIZATIONS: The CDC is reporting COVID-19 hospitalizations in the health district account for 7.2% of all hospitalizations in the three counties, up slightly from 7.1% reported about a week ago; with new COVID-19 patient admissions per 100,000 people accounting for 51.3% of admissions, up from 8.8% last week and 9.3% two weeks ago. COVID-19 hospitalizations currently account for 4.8% of staffed ICU beds for the three counties, down from 5.6%.

VACCINATIONS: According to the CDC COVID tracker, vaccination rates increased slightly to 55.9% in Dodge County, 54.8% in Saunders County, and 58% 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 weather and holiday schedule changes in recent days, Thursday’s report was filed on Friday, and Monday’s report was filed on Tuesday.

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

“Two men and a woman all over the age of 75 have died. One of the men had not been vaccinated. The other two individuals had been vaccinated, but their current vaccination status is not known,” the DCHD release states.

Douglas County’s COVID-19 death toll now stands at 1,246 people.

CASES: DCHD reported Monday that 207 new COVID-19 cases had been confirmed since Friday’s report.

The most recent case numbers caused a decline in the seven-day average since Friday, falling to 147 cases from 164 cases, which was the highest average reported since July 7. The DCHD dashboard indicated the rolling seven-day average per 100,000 people was at 152.8 cases as of Monday, but that also included a backlog of several months’ worth of confirmed cases reported Dec. 14.

The latest recent cases bring the local pandemic total to 177,816 cases.

POSITIVITY RATE: The DCHD dashboard on Friday indicated the community level is now at “high,” which mirrors wastewater data reported by the county earlier this month.

The DCHD COVID-19 dashboard indicates the local positivity rate fell to 18.2% as of Saturday, compared to 24.6% reported a week prior and 14.4% two weeks ago. That percentage comes from a total of 6,057 tests processed, down from about 8,000 tests recorded last week, but only about 300 less than the test totals reported in each of the two weeks prior.

About a month ago, positivity was 12.5%; about two months ago, it was 9.1%. About a year ago, it was 11.7%.

HOSPITALIZATIONS: As of Monday, area hospitals were caring for 123 adult COVID-19 patients, down from 155 reported Friday. Of the current patients, five were in pediatrics, 11 adults were in ICUs, and two patients were on ventilators.

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

A year ago, DCHD was reporting 256 area COVID-19 hospitalizations.

HOSPITAL CAPACITY: Area hospital capacity fluctuates according to staffing levels. As of Monday, hospitals were 72% full with 479 beds available, up from 302 reported Friday. Area ICUs were 70% full with 88 beds available, up from 52 reported Friday. Pediatric ICUs were 76% full with 11 beds available, up from seven reported on Friday. A year ago, local hospitals were 75% full with 352 beds available, ICUs were 92% full with 25 beds available, and pediatric ICUs were 86% full with 18 beds available.

VACCINATIONS: The data on the DCHD dashboard no changes in any vaccination data. To date, 10,309 pediatric doses — for ages 6 months to 4 years — have been administered in the county, resulting in 10.1% of Douglas County children in that age group being fully vaccinated.

Vaccination numbers among other age groups are at 68.8% of all Douglas County residents are vaccinated with 61.7% of eligible residents, ages 12 and older, receiving their booster or additional doses. Of youth ages 5-11, 42.4% are vaccinated; and 70.4% of county youth ages 12-17 are fully vaccinated.

VACCINATIONS

Retail pharmacies

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.

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?

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:

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.