Thursday July 28 COVID-19 update: 2 deaths in Douglas County, 1 in Pottawattamie County
(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 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, though no new data was posted last week. Those updates no longer include data on COVID-19 hospitalizations or deaths, hospital capacity, or vaccinations.
CASES & POSITIVITY: Testing numbers across the state remained about the same the past two weeks as several weeks prior, but positive test numbers and positivity continued to increase. Among 22,267 and 20,557 tests conducted, respectively, in the past two weeks ending July 16 and 23, the state lab confirmed 3,893 and 3,886 positive cases. Those results brought Nebraska’s positivity rate from an adjusted 17.8% on July 9 to 17.56% on July 16 and 18.9% as of Saturday.
One month ago, it was 15.5%; two months ago, it was 11%. The highest recorded positivity rates during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic have been 23.2% at the end of April 2020 and 23.4% in mid-January 2022.
RSV and influenza numbers, also available on the dashboard, remain at low rates in Nebraska.
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 an additional COVID-19 death was reported in the county. The death toll there now stands at 322 people; IDPH provides no demographic information about COVID-19 deaths on its dashboard.
The website also indicates the state recorded 64 COVID-19 deaths in the past week, bringing the pandemic death toll to 9,782 people.
CASES: IDPH data shows that 184 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Pottawattamie County in the past week, up from 169 from cases reported a week ago. The county’s totals are now 29,648 positive tests and 25,600 cases.
The website also shows that the average per 100,000 people in the county is 198.5 cases, up from 181.3 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.
Three Rivers data snapshot
Three Rivers Public Health Department COVID-19 dashboard usually updates its data on Mondays, but this week posted its update later in the week. The health district covers Dodge, Saunders, and Washington counties.
DEATHS: Three Rivers is still reporting 221 COVID-19 deaths to date.
The dashboard does not provide any detailed information about deaths or pre-existing conditions.
CASES: 3RPHD data on Thursday indicated 285 cases had been confirmed since last week. The health department does not include data on the locations of those cases.
The health district has reported 19,746 people infected with COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic.
3RPHD also reported the seven-day rolling average at 19 cases per 100,000 people this week, down slightly from an average of 19.7 cases last week.
POSITIVITY RATE: Recent data reports show an increase in positivity in Dodge and Saunders counties.
As of Sunday, July 17, 3RPHD was reporting a positivity rate among Dodge County residents of 13.5%, up from an adjusted 10.15% a week earlier. About a month ago, the rate was 14.7%. The dashboard showed 94 tests were conducted in Dodge County during the week ending July 17.
In Saunders County, 3RPHD reported a positivity rate of 23.4% as of July 17, up from an adjusted 14.3% a week earlier. About a month ago, the rate was 10%. The dashboard showed 39 tests were conducted in the county during the week ending July 17.
In the same timeframe, the positivity rate among Washington County residents was 20.5% on July 17, down from an adjusted 26.5% a week earlier. About a month ago, the rate was 25.2%. The dashboard showed 50 tests were conducted in the county during the week ending July 17.
HOSPITALIZATIONS: The health district’s hospital data is provided by Douglas County, according to its dashboard. The latest update can be found below.
VACCINATIONS: 3RPHD was reporting slightly higher vaccination rates this week compared to last week. Dodge County was reporting a 65.3% vaccination rate among residents ages 5 and older, 60.5% for Saunders County, and 62% for Washington County as of Thursday. That amounts to 60.8% of all Dodge County residents, 58% of all Saunders County residents, and 62.1% of all Washington County residents.
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 health department reported two COVID-19 deaths on Thursday.
“Two women over 80 have died, and both were vaccinated,” the DCHD release states.
The local pandemic death toll now stands at 1,142 people.
CASES: DCHD reported Monday that 592 new COVID-19 cases had been confirmed since Monday. A year ago, DCHD was reporting 100 cases had been confirmed in the span of one day.
The latest recent cases bring the local pandemic total to 162,813 cases. The number of reinfections for the seven days ending Saturday, July 23, was 269 cases, up from 246 cases the week prior.
The most recent case numbers bring the seven-day average to 195 cases, down from 206 cases on Monday. According to the Douglas County COVID-19 dashboard, the rolling seven-day average per 100,000 people was 246.3 cases as of Thursday, up from 243 cases reported last Tuesday.
HOSPITALIZATIONS: As of late Wednesday, area hospitals were caring for 154 COVID-19 patients — the highest number of local hospitalizations since March 4 — up from 145 reported Monday. Of those patients, four were in pediatrics, 17 adult patients were in ICUs, and eight people were on ventilators. Additionally, three patients were awaiting results of a COVID-19 test.
A year ago, DCHD was reporting 59 area COVID-19 hospitalizations.
HOSPITAL CAPACITY: Area hospital capacity fluctuates according to staffing levels. As of late Wednesday, hospitals were 86% full with 190 beds available, up from 187 reported Monday. Area ICUs were 90% full with 29 beds available, down from 34 reported Monday. Pediatric ICUs remained 91% full with 12 beds available. A year ago, local hospitals were 79% full, and ICUs were 74% full.
VACCINATIONS: Local vaccination numbers were about the same as last week. To date, 66.8% of all Douglas County residents are vaccinated. Of youth ages 5-11, 39.5% are vaccinated; 68.6% of county youth ages 12-17 are fully vaccinated. DCHD is also reporting that 58.8% of those eligible, fully vaccinated residents ages 12 and older, have received their third shot or booster vaccination.
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
- Noon-3 p.m. at Girls Inc., located at 2811 N. 45th St. – Pfizer & Moderna for all ages
THURSDAY AUG. 4
- Noon-3 p.m. at LCCOSO, located at 2302 M St. – Pfizer & Moderna for all ages
FRIDAY AUG. 5
- 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Douglas County Health Department, located at 1111 S. 41st St. – All vaccines available 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 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 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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