Monday June 14 COVID-19 update: Health department calls for end to ‘mask stigma’

(WOWT) - Below are today’s vaccination updates as well as data reports on new cases and other COVID-19 stats reported by health officials across Nebraska and Iowa.

There were no updates posted over the weekend.

Keep scrolling to find helpful links and other information, including phone numbers to call for help getting signed up for your vaccine.

DCHD: ‘End the mask stigma’

In its update on Monday, DCHD also asked the community to remember that “there are many good reasons for people to continue mask-wearing, so please be kind.”

“It has come to the attention of the Douglas County Health Department (DCHD) that some individuals who are still wearing face coverings or masks are being singled out for negative attention. This is never good,” the release states.

DCHD asks for understanding that those with compromised immune systems or underlying conditions — or with family members who fit this description — may need to wear a mask. Organ transplant recipients and those who are too young to be vaccinated may also need to continue wearing facemasks.

Vaccination not required for blood donations

The Nebraska-Iowa regional office for the American Red Cross is emphasizing that unvaccinated individuals who want to donate blood absolutely can do so.

“We are currently seeing a shortage in blood donations... so it is important that anyone who is eligible and able to give, do so,” a spokesman told 6 News on Monday.

The Red Cross has updated its safety protocols according to CDC and OSHA recommendations, requiring unvaccinated donors to wear masks and socially distance; vaccinated staff and donors no longer need to do either.

Douglas County cases update

The Douglas County Health Department confirmed 25 new cases since its last report Friday, bringing the local total of positive cases to 72,017. The rolling seven-day average is again 11 cases.

The local COVID-19 death toll stands at 729.

The DCHD COVID-19 dashboard no longer reports COVID-19 recoveries.

The health department also reported Monday that local hospitals are 76% full, with 348 beds available; ICU beds are 68% full with 109 beds available. Of those patients, 22 are hospitalized with COVID-19, eight of them receiving ICU care, and five of them on ventilators. Additionally, two patients are being monitored for COVID-19.

Douglas County reminder about library clinics

The Douglas County Health Department said Friday that additional Omaha Public libraries will be hosting Douglas County Health Department COVID-19 vaccination clinics in the next two weeks. The full schedule is as follows:

• Milton Abrahams Library will host its clinic from 9-11 a.m. Tuesday.
• South Omaha Library will host its clinic from 2-4 p.m. Tuesday.
• Dale Clarke Library will host its clinic from 9-11 a.m. Wednesday.
• Benson Library will host its clinic from 3-5 p.m. Thursday.
• Washington Library will host its clinic from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 22.
• Sorensen Library will host its clinic from 1-3 p.m. Wednesday, June 23.
• Swanson Library will host its clinic from 5-7 pm. Thursday, June 24.

Vaccination clinics

Nebraska DHHS

Federal Retail Pharmacy Program: Pharmacies in and near the Omaha-metro area currently participating in the program include:

• Medicine Man Pharmacy, 15615 Pacific St. Suite 8, Omaha NE 668118
• Think Aksarben Pharmacy LLC, 710 W. Center Road, Omaha NE 68106
• ViaRx, 825 N. 90th St., Omaha NE 68114
• Walmart, 3010 E. 23rd St., Fremont NE 68025

Retail pharmacy vaccine sign-ups: Baker’s | CVS | Hy-Vee | Kohll’s | Kubat | Sam’s Club | Walmart

Douglas County

Douglas County COVID-19 vaccination clinics for eligible residents — including youth ages 12 and older — are offered walk-in or by appointment at the following locations for a short while longer:

• CHI Immanuel Medical Center, located at 6404 N. 73rd Plaza near 72nd Street and Sorensen Parkway, will be open for another week, offering vaccinations through Thursday, June 17.
• Methodist Health System, located at 720 N. 114th St. in the Miracle Hills Plaza, will close Saturday, June 26.
• Nebraska Medicine Testing & Vaccination Clinic, located at 5710 S. 144th St. near 144th Street and Millard Avenue, will offer first doses through June 26; and second doses through July 18.
• Douglas County Health Department vaccination site – South Omaha, 3505 L St. (former Hy-Vee location). The site replaced the clinic formerly available at the Kroc Center and has been designated as a site for youth vaccinations. (Minors who wish to be vaccinated must be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian in order to obtain the shot.) DCHD is working to finalize plans to close this clinic as well.

At the library

Several Omaha Public libraries are hosting Douglas County Health Department COVID-19 vaccination clinics in coming weeks.

• Milton Abrahams Library will host its clinic from 9-11 a.m. Tuesday.
• South Omaha Library will host its clinic from 2-4 p.m. Tuesday.
• Dale Clarke Library will host its clinic from 9-11 a.m. Wednesday.
• Benson Library will host its clinic from 3-5 p.m. Thursday.
• Washington Library will host its clinic from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 22.
• Sorensen Library will host its clinic from 1-3 p.m. Wednesday, June 23.
• Swanson Library will host its clinic from 5-7 pm. Thursday, June 24.

Around Omaha

DOWNTOWN CLINIC: TotalWellness Health and the Metropolitan Community Church, located at 819 S. 22nd St., are hosting a COVID-19 vaccination clinic from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.

CHURCH CLINIC: Metropolitan Community Chuch of Omaha will host a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination clinic from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. No ID is required, but a parent or guardian must be present at the clinic with teens ages 12-18.

DRIVE-THROUGH YOUTH CLINIC: Children’s Hospital is opening a drive-through clinic to get youth ages 12-16 their COVID-19 vaccinations. Those wanting to schedule a vaccination there should call their Children’s Physicians pediatrician; or call 402-955-SHOT. Appointments will be available between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

STOCKYARDS PLAZA WALK-IN CLINIC: COVID-19 vaccinations will be available to walk-ins — no appointment needed — from 3:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at the clinic in the Stockyards Plaza, located at 35th and L streets. Other clinics may also take walk-ins during the week as they’re able.

MCC FORT OMAHA: Vaccinations also will be distributed Mondays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Metropolitan Community College’s Fort Omaha campus, 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 a vaccination clinic from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

VETERANS: Any eligible veterans can go to the Omaha VA Medical Center’s COVID-19 vaccination clinics’ walk-in hours from 9 a.m. to noon weekdays and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays at the new Ambulatory Care Center.

Three Rivers health district

• In Dodge County, the Three Rivers Fremont location will be open for walk-ins from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday; and 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday.
• In Saunders County, the Three Rivers clinic in Lake Wanahoo is open to walk-ins from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of the month.
• In Washington County, the clinic at First Lutheran Church in Blair is open to walk-ins from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month.

Off-line help

NEBRASKA VACCINE HOTLINE: Gov. Pete Ricketts has asked Nebraskans to call 402-552-6645 or toll-free at 833-998-2275 for more information on the Nebraska COVID-19 vaccination process. DO NOT call your local health department.

DOUGLAS COUNTY HELPLINE: Local COVID-19 information, in Spanish and English, is available from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, except for holidays. Call 402-444-3400 for assistance.

TEST NEBRASKA HOTLINE: To get answers about Test Nebraska tests, results, communications, etc., call 402-207-9377.

IOWA VACCINE HOTLINE: Older or home-bound Iowans looking for help scheduling a COVID-19 vaccination appointment can call 1-866-468-7887 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday; or contact Connections Area Agency on Aging at 712-328-2540 or 1-800-432-9209.

REFERENCE NOTE -- 6 News pulls data from Nebraska and Iowa COVID-19 dashboards at 6 p.m. daily. Other reports in this post come from official news releases from area health departments and other authorities as stated.

Resource links

Vaccine sign-up: Douglas County | Sarpy/Cass | Three Rivers | Nebraska

Retail pharmacy vaccine sign-ups: Hy-Vee | Walmart | Sam’s Club | Kohll’s

Vaccine dashboard: Nebraska | Iowa

Vaccine information: Douglas County | Douglas County clinics | Nebraska | Nebraska FAQ | Nebraska timeline | Nebraska Phase 1A tiers | Nebraska Phase 1B tiers || Iowa | Pottawattamie County | Mills County | Fremont County

COVID-19 dashboards: Douglas County | Sarpy County | Three Rivers Health District | Lancaster County | Nebraska | Iowa | Worldwide

School dashboards: Omaha Public Schools | Millard Public Schools | Bellevue Public Schools | Westside Community Schools | Gretna Public Schools | Elkhorn Public Schools | Lincoln Public Schools | UNL | Midland University

COVID-19 risk dials: Omaha-Douglas County | Lincoln-Lancaster County

WOWT.com quick search: COVID-19 | Coronavirus | Vaccine

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