Thursday Oct. 21 COVID-19 update: Douglas County reports 1 death, 228 cases

(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 western Iowa.

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

Nebraska data snapshot

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services on Thursday updated its data on hospital capacity as well as COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and vaccinations.

CASES: DHHS reported an additional 4,722 cases — 263 of them delta variants — of COVID-19 since Oct. 13, bringing the total number of verified cases for the state to 278,976, and 5,371 of those are variant cases.

As of Oct. 17, the state’s positivity rate fell back down to 8.6% from 9.3% reported last week, with 63,364 COVID-19 tests administered in the past week.

DEATHS: DHHS reported 30 COVID-19 deaths since the week prior, bringing the state’s COVID-19 death toll to 2,461.

HOSPITALIZATIONS: The state’s health department reported 46 fewer COVID-19 hospitalizations this week; at 369, it’s 59 fewer than three weeks ago. As of Wednesday, there were 257 adult COVID-19 patients, 119 of them in ICUs; and three pediatric patients, down from five reported last week.

Overall hospital occupancy, which is based on staffing levels, lessened this week. Last week, DHHS reported 77% of 3,096 adult beds are full, while 87% of 178 pediatric beds were occupied. As of Wednesday, 76% of 3,109 adult beds were full, while 80% of 182 pediatric beds were occupied.

More ICU beds are also full this week, with 86% (or 484) adult beds occupied, compared with 84% (of 464) reported last week; and 77% (of 155) pediatric ICU beds are available, compared with 81% (of 156) pediatric beds filled last week.

VACCINATIONS: Currently, 68.2% of Nebraskans ages 12 and older are fully vaccinated — a 0.5% increase from last week.

No new data about vaccination breakthroughs was available.

Douglas County update

The Douglas County Health Department on Thursday reported one COVID-19 death: a vaccinated man in his 80s with underlying conditions has died.

The local death toll now stands at 825.

DCHD also reported that 228 cases had been confirmed since Wednesday, bringing the total of confirmed positive local cases to 86,248 since the start of the pandemic in March 2020. The new positive cases bring the seven-day rolling average up from 118 to 123 cases.

Local hospitalization data fluctuates daily according to staffing levels. As of Wednesday afternoon, local hospitals were at 88% capacity, with 168 beds available, down from 219 on Tuesday. ICUs were 92% full, with 23 beds available, down from 33 on Tuesday. Of those patients, 177 were hospitalized with COVID-19, six less than the day before; two of them were in pediatrics. The latest report also says there are still 69 COVID-19 patients in ICUs, 27 of whom are on ventilators.

Additionally, five adult patients are awaiting COVID-19 tests.

Bryan Health update

Bryan Health in Lincoln reported Thursday that it was caring for 54 COVID-19 patients, with eight patients on ventilators.

The health system also reported it was still caring for six pediatric patients, one of whom has a pending COVID-19 test.

Is it allergies or COVID-19? 🤧
Dr. Christie Barnes compares symptoms to help determine the difference. https://t.co/VB0qyNFEKd
— University of Nebraska Medical Center (@unmc) October 19, 2021

Have questions about COVID-19 vaccines? With CDC’s new American Sign Language (#ASL) video, you can share information...
Posted by CDC on Thursday, October 21, 2021

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, 7100 W. Center Road, Omaha NE 68106
ViaRx, 825 N. 90th St., Omaha NE 68114
Walmart, 3010 E. 23rd St., Fremont NE 68025

Douglas County

Douglas County COVID-19 vaccination clinics are scheduled at several local schools and events this week:

WEDNESDAY

10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Clair Memorial United Methodist Church, located at 5544 Ames Ave.
11 a.m.-2 p.m. at UNO’s Criss Library, located at 6401 University Drive N (park in Lot E)
1-6 p.m. at CHI Health Center Arena, Lot D off of Abbot Drive, at 455 N. 10th St.

FRIDAY

4-6 p.m. at the Omaha Children’s Museum, located at 500 S. 20th St.
9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Douglas County Health Department, 1111 S. 41st St.

SATURDAY

9 a.m.-2 p.m. at CHI Health Center Arena, Lot D off of Abbot Drive, at 455 N. 10th St.
11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Dia de Los Muertos event at Plaza de la Raza, located at 24th and N streets
Noon-3 p.m. at the Northstar Family Event (with UNMC), located at 4242 N. 49th Ave.

Today's #Covid19 Update is right here: https://www.douglascountyhealth.com/latest-news #Omaha #NECOVID19 #inthistogether
Posted by Douglas County Health Department on Wednesday, October 20, 2021

WEDNESDAY OCT. 27

DCHD is having a drive-through clinic from 1-6 p.m. at CHI Health Center Arena

SATURDAY OCT. 30

DCHD is having a drive-through clinic from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at CHI Health Center Arena

Pfizer boosters

The Douglas County Health Department is distributing Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination boosters at its clinics to those in certain groups:

Adults ages 65 and older
Long-term care facility residents
Adults ages 50-64 with underlying medical conditions that make put them at high risk of severe COVID-19
Adults ages 18-49 with certain conditions listed above, or who are otherwise at risk of severe COVID-19
Adults ages 18-64 whose jobs put them at high risk for COVID-19

The CDC is recommending booster doses be administered six months after receiving your second dose. Anyone with questions is advised to contact their healthcare provider for further guidance.

Underlying medical conditions that qualify for boosters include: cancer; chronic kidney disease; chronic lung diseases like COPD, moderate to severe asthma, interstitial lung disease, damaged or scarred lung tissue, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, etc.; certain neurological conditions like dementia, Alzheimer’s, etc.; diabetes; Down syndrome; certain heart conditions such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies, hypertension; HIV/AIDS or others in immunocompromised states; liver disease like cirrhosis, liver scarring, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, etc.; those who are overweight or obese; pregnant and recently pregnant people who are 42 or more days past the end of their pregnancy; certain hemoglobin disorders like sickle cell disease, thalassemia, etc.; current or former smokers; recipients of organ, blood stem cell, or bone marrow transplants; cerebrovascular disease like stroke, etc.; and substance use disorders including alcohol, opioid, cocaine use disorders, etc.

Those occupations qualifying for boosters include: first-responders such as healthcare workers, firefighters, police, and congregate care staff; education staff such as teachers, support staff, daycare workers; food and agricultural workers; manufacturing workers; corrections workers; U.S. Postal workers; public transit workers; grocery store workers; and residents of homeless shelters or correctional facilities.

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 Pfizer 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, single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccinations will be available at these pharmacies:

Outpatient Pharmacy at Bellevue Health Center, located at 25th Street and Highway 370, will offer J&J vaccinations from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday; and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.
Outpatient Pharmacy at Durham Outpatient Center, located at 45th and Emile streets, will offer J&J vaccinations from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays; and from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the weekends.

Children’s Hospital

Tuesday and Thursday appointments available at the Mission Village location, 16909 Q St. Call 402-955-7575 or 402-955-SHOT (7468) for available times.
Thursday and Friday appointments available at the Dundee location, 4825 Dodge St. Call 402-955-7676 or 402-955-SHOT (7468) for available times.

Around Omaha

SOUTH OMAHA: Testing and vaccinations 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 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.

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.

Sarpy/Cass health district

The Sarpy/Cass Health Department offers COVID-19 vaccinations at its offices, located at 701 Olson Drive in Papillion:

Tuesdays: 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Wednesdays: 1-6 p.m.

The health department offers the following vaccines at its clinics:

First and second doses of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines
Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) single doses
Additional doses of Pfizer and Moderna for immunocompromised people
Pfizer booster

Three Rivers health district

In Dodge County, the Three Rivers Fremont location is 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 Mondays of the month.

Off-line help

CHI HEALTH VACCINE INFORMATION: The info line is available at 402-717-1255 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily in August.

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.

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.

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.