Thursday July 21 COVID-19 update: Omaha-area hospitalizations at highest point since March

(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.

Nebraska wastewater surveillance data snapshot

The BA.5 variant became the dominant COVID-19 omicron variant in the state in July, according to the latest Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services genomic surveillance report.

According to the latest chart, that specific variant was first detected in early May. By early June, it accounted for 11% of test results; and by early July, it was 46%. As of the most recent data, dated July 16, it’s now 59% of test results.

Nebraska data snapshot

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services provides COVID-19 data updates generally each week via its Respiratory Illness Dashboard on the Nebraska Public Health Atlas. Those updates no longer include data on COVID-19 hospitalizations or deaths, hospital capacity, or vaccinations.

However, no new data has been posted to the dashboard yet; the most recent data available at noon Thursday was dated July 9.

Pottawattamie County data snapshot

The following information is from data dated Tuesday on the Iowa Department of Public Health website, which no longer includes hospitalization and hospital capacity data.

DEATHS: IDPH data indicates the county’s death toll stands at 321 people. The website also indicates the state recorded 41 COVID-19 deaths in the past week, bringing the pandemic death toll to 9,718 people.

CASES: IDPH says it has confirmed 169 cases of COVID-19 in Pottawattamie County in the past week, up one from cases reported a week ago. The county’s totals are now 29,408 positive tests and 25,416 cases.

The website also shows that the average per 100,000 people in the county is 181.3 cases, up from 180.25 cases reported a week ago.

VACCINATIONS: According to IDPH data, vaccination data showed no change in the past week. The latest data shows Pottawattamie County was reporting a 56.5% vaccination rate among those ages 5 and older, compared to a 63% vaccination rate for the same age group in all of Iowa. That amounts to 53% of the county’s total population, compared to the 59.1% vaccination rate for the state.

The state website does not yet include vaccination data for children younger than age 5.

Douglas County update

The Douglas County Health Department has been reporting COVID-19 data twice weekly, issuing updated stats on Mondays and Thursdays.

DEATHS: The local pandemic death toll stands at 1,140 people.

CASES: DCHD reported Thursday that 667 new COVID-19 cases had been confirmed since Monday. On this date last year, DCHD was reporting 37 cases.

The latest recent cases bring the local pandemic total to 161,468 cases. The number of reinfections for the last seven days ending Saturday, July 16, was 244 cases, up from 191 cases the week prior.

The most recent case numbers bring the seven-day average to 202 cases, up from 191 cases Monday. According to the Douglas County COVID-19 dashboard, the rolling seven-day average per 100,000 people was 243 cases as of Tuesday, down from 245.4 cases reported last Thursday.

POSITIVITY RATE: The DCHD COVID-19 dashboard indicates the local positivity rate was at 23.% as of Saturday, July 2, the most recent data point available. About a year ago, it was 6.4%.

HOSPITALIZATIONS: As of late Wednesday, area hospitals were caring for 142 COVID-19 patients — the highest number of local hospitalizations since March 7 — up from 119 reported Monday. Of those patients, five were in pediatrics, and 13 adult patients were in ICUs.

“The good news is only three people are on ventilators,” a DCHD spokesman said in Thursday’s news release. “So, there is not as much severe illness at this time.”

A year ago, DCHD was reporting 34 area COVID-19 hospitalizations.

HOSPITAL CAPACITY: Area hospital capacity fluctuates according to staffing levels. As of late Wednesday, hospitals were 89% full with 148 beds available, up from 220 reported Monday. Area ICUs were 89% full with 38 beds available, up from 50 reported Monday. Pediatric ICUs were 90% full with 13 beds available — three fewer than reported Monday. A year ago, local hospitals were 77% full, and ICUs were 69% full.

VACCINATIONS: Local vaccination numbers were slightly higher than earlier this week. To date, 66.8% of all Douglas County residents are vaccinated. Of youth ages 5-11, 39.3% are vaccinated; 68.6% of county youth ages 12-17 are fully vaccinated. DCHD is also reporting that 58.6% of those eligible, fully vaccinated residents ages 12 and older, have received their third shot or booster vaccination.

DCHD director expects waves not spikes

In her briefing to the Douglas County Board of Health on Wednesday morning, county Health Director Dr. Lindsay Huse said she doesn’t expect to see a repeat of large spikes in cases of COVID-19 in the near future.

“But I think this is kind of what we’re going to start to see, is these small waves that come and go over time and hopefully as we move further out from the main pandemic itself, those waves get further and further apart. But I think what we’re going to see is these waves instead of those spikes,” Dr. Huse told the board.

The trends will all depend, of course, on what the virus does with mutations and how virulent they will be, she said.

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
• 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

Below is a list of the Douglas County COVID-19 vaccination clinics scheduled for this week, including child vaccination clinics at area schools. All clinics are open to the public for any approved shot in the vaccination series as indicated below. Those planning to get a booster shot should bring their vaccination card.

FRIDAY

• 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Douglas County Health Department, located at 1111 S. 41st St. – All vaccines available for all ages

SATURDAY

• 9 a.m.-noon at Kroc Center Omaha, located at 2825 Y St. – Pfizer & Moderna for all ages
• Noon-3 p.m. at Girls Inc., located at 2811 N. 45th St. – Pfizer & Moderna for all ages

TUESDAY

• Noon-6:30 p.m. at the Douglas County Health Department, located at 1111 S. 41st St. – All vaccines available for all ages

FRIDAY JULY 29

• 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Douglas County Health Department, located at 1111 S. 41st St. – All vaccines available for all ages

SATURDAY JULY 30

• Noon-3 p.m. at Girls Inc., located at 2811 N. 45th St. – Pfizer & Moderna for all ages

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 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.

OneWorld also offers 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-served 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.

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 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 obtain COVID-19 vaccinations or boosters at the Omaha VA Medical Center’s COVID-19 vaccination clinics’ walk-in hours from 8 a.m.-2:45 p.m. weekdays. Appointments can also be scheduled online.

Sarpy/Cass health district

The Sarpy/Cass Health Department has scheduled vaccination clinics for all COVID-19 vaccine doses, including pediatric doses, at its offices, located at 701 Olson Drive in Papillion:

• Tuesdays: 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Wednesdays: 1-4:30 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.

To make an appointment, call 833-998-2275 or 531-249-1873.

Pottawattamie County

The Pottawattamie County Public Health Department urges residents to take advantage of free drive-through COVID-19 testing at:

• Hy-Vee Pharmacy on West Broadway
• Nomi Health at 1751 Madison Ave.
• Any Walgreens pharmacy location

Free take-home test kits are available at:

• All Care Health Center, located at 902 S. Sixth St., in Council Bluffs
• Pottawattamie County Public Health Department office, located at 600 S. Fourth St., Suite 100, in Council Bluffs

Walk-ins can receive COVID-19 vaccinations at the health department office at:

• 4-6 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays
• 8 a.m.-noon Saturdays

Vaccinations are also available from 8 a.m. to noon at the Veterans Affairs Building, located at 623 Sixth Ave. in Council Bluffs.

Three Rivers health district

Three Rivers Public Health Department is giving out boosters to those in certain risk categories who have had Pfizer vaccinations. It is also working with area businesses and schools to provide plan more COVID-19 vaccination clinics.

The health department has the necessary forms posted on their website, for minors and adults, for those who would like to fill them out ahead of their visit.

3RPHD’s regular clinic hours:

• In Dodge County, the Three Rivers clinic at 2400 N. Lincoln Ave. in Fremont, is open for walk-ins from 4-7 p.m. Tuesdays.
• In Saunders County, the Three Rivers clinic in Lake Wanahoo, located at 1320 E. 31st St., is open to walk-ins from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of the month.

Those who are home-bound or require special accommodations but need a COVID-19 test or vaccine can contact the health district at 402-704-2245 to make arrangements.

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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