Wednesday Nov. 10 COVID-19 update: Douglas County reports more than 200 cases, unvaccinated death

(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.

Lincoln-Lancaster County update

The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department on Wednesday reported a COVID-19 death: a vaccinated man in his 80s is the community’s 321st death.

LLCHD also confirmed 180 additional cases of COVID-19, bringing the community total to 42,519 cases since the start of the pandemic.

Currently, 83 people in the health district are hospitalized with COVID-19, 13 of them on ventilators.

Adjusted to now include all residents ages 5 and older, the health district also reports that 61% of the eligible public are fully vaccinated.

Nebraska data snapshot

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

CASES: DHHS reported an additional 5,645 cases — 328 of them delta variants — of COVID-19 since last week, bringing the total number of verified cases for the state to 292,990, including 6,404 variant cases.

As of Monday, the state’s positivity had risen to 11.4%, up from 10.3% last week, 9.4% two weeks ago, and 8.6% reported the week prior. The state reported nearly 9,150 more COVID-19 tests administered in the past week — a total of 62,732 for the week — compared to the week before, when 53,583 tests were administered.

DEATHS: DHHS reported 48 COVID-19 deaths since the week prior, bringing the state’s COVID-19 death toll to 2,556. Last week, 39 COVID-19 deaths were reported across the state; the week before, there were eight; and about a month ago, the state reported no COVID-19 deaths.

HOSPITALIZATIONS: The state’s health department reported two fewer COVID-19 hospitalizations this week. At 415 patients, it’s the same number of hospitalizations reported about a month ago. As of Wednesday, there were 275 adult COVID-19 patients, up from 240 reported last week; 134 of them in ICUs, which is two fewer than last week. The state also reported six pediatric COVID-19 patients, down one from the previous week.

Overall hospital occupancy, which is based on staffing levels, worsened this week. Last week, DHHS reported 77% of 3,174 adult beds are occupied, while 78% of 189 pediatric beds are filled. As of Tuesday, 78% of 3,208 adult beds were occupied, white 80% of 229 pediatric beds were filled.

More ICU beds were available this week, with 87% (of 482) adult beds were filled, compared with 89% (of 482) adult beds occupied; and 73% (of 190) pediatric ICU beds available, compared with 78% (of 160) pediatric beds filled last week.

VACCINATIONS: Currently, 69% of Nebraskans ages 12 and older are fully vaccinated — a 0.3% increase from last week.

VACCINATION BREAKTHROUGHS: No new breakthrough data was available this week.

Pottawattamie County data snapshot

Iowa Department of Public Health updated its county-by-county data this week. As of data reported Wednesday, Pottawattie County had a 16.6% positivity rate, up from 14% the week prior; with 200 positive tests confirmed in the last seven days; by comparison, the state’s seven-day positivity rate is 9.4%.

The county was showing a 55.5% vaccination rate among those ages 12 and older, according to IDPH data. That amounts to 47% of the county’s total population.

Of the 21 COVID-19 patients in county hospitals, three were fully vaccinated. Of those five, two were 70-79 years old, one was age 80 or older. Ages 50-59 were the largest group of hospitalizations, and none of those six patients were vaccinated.

As of Tuesday, there were 10 COVID-19 patients in county ICUs. At that time, there were 13% of hospital beds available: 26 in-patient beds and three ICU beds.

The county has lost three more people to COVID-19 in the past week, bringing the death toll to 205.

Douglas County update

DCHD reported an additional COVID-19 death Wednesday: The death of an unvaccinated man in his 60s brought the local COVID-19 death toll now to 840.

DCHD also reported 218 new positive COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, bringing the accumulated number of local COVID-19 cases reported to date to 89,267. The new cases also pulled the rolling seven-day average up to 195 cases, an increase from 190 cases on Tuesday and 171 on Monday.

Local hospital capacity stats are updated daily according to staffing levels. As of Tuesday afternoon, local hospitals were 90% full with 135 beds available, down from 177 available on Monday and 243 the day prior; ICUs were 94% full with 18 beds available, down from 30 ICU beds available on Monday and 35 a day earlier.

DCHD also reported a decrease in the number of COVID-19 patients. As of Monday afternoon, local hospitals were caring for 188 COVID-19 patients — three less than the day prior. Five of those patients were pediatric patients, up from four on Monday. Staff were caring for 65 COVID-19 patients in ICUs, one fewer ICU patient than Monday, but up from 51 reported a day earlier. Of those, 34 were on ventilators, down three from the previous day.

According to the county’s COVID-19 dashboard on Wednesday, the county met its goal of having 70% of residents ages 12 and older fully vaccinated. That amounts to 58.3% of the total Douglas County population.

The health department said no report would be issued Thursday as the office is closed in observance of Veterans Day.

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

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 scheduled for this week, including child vaccination clinics at area schools:

WEDNESDAY

• drive-through clinic from 1-6 p.m. at CHI Health Center, off Abbott Drive – All three vaccines available.

THURSDAY

No clinics are planned because of the Veterans Day holiday.

FRIDAY

• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Douglas County Health Department, located at 1111 S. 41st St. – All three vaccines available.
• 4-7 p.m. at Millard North Middle School, located at 2828 S. 139th St. – Pfizer vaccines available.

SATURDAY

• drive-through clinic from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at CHI Health Center, off Abbott Drive – All three vaccines available.
• Noon-4 p.m. at Mount Moriah Baptist Church, located at 2602 N. 24th St. – Pfizer and J&J vaccines available.

View the above schedule in Spanish.

FRIDAY

• 4-7 p.m. at Millard North Middle School, located at 2828 S. 139th St. – This clinic will offer vaccinations for ages 5 and older, including adults.

MONDAY NOV. 15

• 4-7 p.m. at Andersen Middle School, located at 15404 Adams St. – Pfizer vaccines available.

TUESDAY NOV. 16

• Noon to 4 p.m. at the Douglas County Health Department, located at 1111 S. 41st St. – All three vaccines available.
• 4-7 p.m. at Millard Central Middle School, located at 12801 L. St. – Pfizer vaccines available.

WEDNESDAY NOV. 17

• 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. at Clair Memorial United Methodist Church, located at 5544 Ames Ave. – Pfizer and Moderna vaccines available.
• 1-6 p.m. drive-through clinic at CHI Health Center arena’s Lot D, located off Abbott Drive – All three vaccines available.

THURSDAY NOV. 18

• 4-7 p.m. at Beadle Middle School, located at 18201 Jefferson St. – Pfizer vaccines available.
• 4-7 p.m. in the cafeteria at DC West High School, located at 401 S. Pine St. in Valley, Neb. – Pfizer vaccines available.

FRIDAY NOV. 19

• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Douglas County Health Department clinic, located at 1111 S. 41st St. – All three vaccines available.
• 4-7 p.m. at Kiewett Middle School, located at 15650 Howard St. – Pfizer vaccines available.
• 4-7 p.m. at George Russell Middle School, 5304 S. 172nd St. – Pfizer vaccines available.

SATURDAY NOV. 20

• 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. drive-through clinic at CHI Health Center arena’s Lot D, located off Abbott Drive – All three vaccines available.
• 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Westside Middle School, located at 8601 Arbor St. – Pfizer vaccines available.

Health department officials said they are planning additional clinics at schools throughout the county in coming weeks, according to the DCHD release. State health officials said Wednesday that they’re expecting 64,200 initial doses of children’s vaccine — enough to cover nearly 35% of Nebraska children in the 5-11 age range.

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.

DCHD booster plan

All Douglas County Health Department pop-up clinics will offer only Pfizer COVID-19 booster vaccinations, but once Moderna and Johnson & Johnson boosters are authorized, the health department plans to have all three available at its in-house and drive-through clinics.

Booster shots are recommended for people who received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine and are:

• ages 65 and older
• anyone age 18 and older who lives in a long-term care setting
• anyone age 18 and older who has underlying medical conditions
• anyone age 18 and older who lives or works in a high-risk setting

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

Boosters are also recommended for those who received the J&J vaccine at least two months ago, according to the health department.

Those with questions about boosters, particularly those with questions about underlying medical conditions or being in a high-risk setting, are advised to contact their healthcare providers or call the DCHD Information Line at 402-444-3400.

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 “high-risk” 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.

OneWorld child vaccination clinics

OneWorld is offering pediatric COVID-19 vaccinations, for children ages 5-11, at the following clinics:

• Livestock Building, located at 4920 S. 30th St. in south Omaha
• In Bellevue, at 2207 Georgia Ave.
• In northwest Omaha at 4229 N. 90th St.
• In Plattsmouth at 122 S. Sixth St.

OneWorld will also offer children’s COVID-19 vaccinations at school health centers:

• Bryan High School, located at 4700 Giles Road
• Indian Hill Elementary, located at 3121 U St.
• Liberty Elementary, located at 2021 St. Mary’s Ave.
• Spring Lake Elementary, located at 4215 S. 20th St.

Walk-ins are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis; or you can call 402-734-4110 to make an appointment.

Children’s Hospital

Children’s Hospital is planning to offer dedicated COVID-19 vaccination clinics for about a month, starting by Thursday, Nov. 11 — or sooner, if they are supplied the doses before that.

• 5-7 p.m. Thursdays at West Village Pointe and Spring Valley offices
• 8 a.m.-noon Saturdays at West Village Pointe and Spring Valley offices

After Saturday, Dec. 11, pediatric COVID-19 vaccinations will be available by appointment at any Children’s Hospital location.

• 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.

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.

Sarpy/Cass child vaccination clinics

The Sarpy/Cass Health Department has scheduled vaccination clinics for all COVID-19 vaccine doses, including pediatric doses:

WEDNESDAY

• 4-7 p.m. at Weeping Water Public Schools, located at 204 West O St.

FRIDAY

• 4-6 p.m. at Gretna Middle School, located at 11705 South 216th St.

MONDAY

• 3-5 p.m. at Springfield Community Center, located at 104 Main St.
• 4-7 p.m. at Bellevue Lied Activity Center, 2700 Arboretum Drive

TUESDAY

• 4-7 p.m. at Papillion-LaVista South High School, located at 10799 NE-370 in Papillion

MONDAY, NOV. 22

• 1-3 p.m. at Louisville Public Schools, located at 202 W. 3rd St.

Appointments are recommended but not required.

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 first and second doses of Pfizer and Modern vaccines, Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) single doses, and booster doses of all three vaccines.

Sarpy/Cass boosters

The Sarpy/Cass Health Department has three clinics planned for the coming weeks, with first and second vaccinations and booster doses — Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson. Appointments are encouraged, but not required.

• Saturday, Oct. 30: The clinic will run from 9-11 a.m. at the Cass County Fairgrounds Exposition Building, 8420 144th St. in Weeping Water.
• Monday, Nov. 1: The clinic will run from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Plattsmouth Senior Center, 308 S. 18th St.
• Friday, Nov. 5: The clinic will run from 10 a.m.-noon at Bellevue Senior Center, 109 W. 22nd Ave.

Three Rivers health district

• In Dodge County, the Three Rivers Fremont location, at 2400 N. Lincoln Ave., is open for walk-ins from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday; and noon to 3:30 p.m. Friday.
• In Saunders County, the Three Rivers clinic in Lake Wanahoo, at 1320 E. 31st St., is open to walk-ins from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on the first and third 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.

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 Hospital | 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 | Nebraska | Iowa | Worldwide

School info: Omaha Public Schools | Millard Public Schools | Bellevue Public Schools | Westside Community Schools | Gretna Public Schools | Elkhorn Public Schools | Council Bluffs Community Schools | Lincoln Public Schools | UNL | UNO | Midland University

COVID-19 risk dials: Lincoln-Lancaster County

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