Monday Aug. 22 COVID-19 update: 8 deaths in Douglas 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.

Sarpy/Cass data snapshot

DEATHS: The latest update to the Sarpy/Cass Health Department COVID-19 dashboard shows the pandemic death toll there stands at 350 people.

The dashboard does not provide any information about their age ranges or pre-existing conditions.

CASES: As of Monday, the dashboard reported that were 560 active cases of COVID-19 in Sarpy County, 20 fewer than reported a week ago; and 74 in Cass County, 16 fewer cases than the dashboard indicated a week prior. To date, Sarpy/Cass has confirmed 54,572 cases of COVID-19 in Sarpy County, which is 315 more than reported a week ago; and 6,588 in Cass County, an increase of 32 cases.

Of the health district’s active cases, most are in their 20s, 30s, and 40s: 87 cases in their 20s, 95 in their 30s, and 85 in their 40s. There are also 93 active cases among youth ages 14 and younger, up nine cases since Thursday; with 42 of those active pediatric cases among children ages 4 or younger — the age group most recently approved for COVID-19 vaccination.

POSITIVITY RATE: The health department reported a test positivity rate of 22.7% as of Saturday, down from an adjusted 24.6% a week prior. About a month ago it was 25.4%; about two months ago, it was 21.3%. The lab ran 329 tests in the week ending Saturday, compared to 369 tests in the week prior.

HOSPITALIZATIONS: The Sarpy/Cass Health Department’s hospital data is provided by Douglas County, according to its dashboard. That information is available in the Douglas County update below.

VACCINATIONS: The health department reported an increase in the vaccination rate among residents in the past week: 67.3% in Sarpy County, and 63% in Cass County.

Three Rivers data snapshot

Three Rivers Public Health Department COVID-19 dashboard usually updates its data on Mondays, but no new data was available at the beginning of last week. The health district covers Dodge, Saunders, and Washington counties.

DEATHS: Since our last 3RPHD update on Thursday, Aug. 11, Three Rivers is still reporting 221 COVID-19 deaths to date — the same number it has been reporting for months. The dashboard does not provide any detailed information about deaths or pre-existing conditions.

CASES: 3RPHD data on Monday indicated 102 cases had been confirmed in the past seven days. That’s down from 112 reported the week of Aug. 11. The health department does not include data on the locations of those cases.

The health district has reported 20,196 people infected with COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic; that’s 222 more cases than reported Aug. 11.

3RPHD also reported the seven-day rolling average was at 18.5 cases per 100,000 people this week, down from 20.3 cases reported Aug. 11.

POSITIVITY RATE: Recent data reports show an increase in positivity in Dodge and Saunders counties.

As of Sunday, Aug. 14, 3RPHD was reporting a positivity rate among Dodge County residents of 19.3%, down from 20.3% reported a week earlier. About a month ago, the rate was 16.7%. The dashboard showed 89 tests were conducted in Dodge County during the week ending Aug. 14.

In Saunders County, 3RPHD reported a positivity rate of 16.4% as of Aug. 14, down from 21.7% a week earlier. About a month ago, the rate was 10.3%. The dashboard showed 27 tests were conducted in the county during the week ending Aug. 14.

Data for Washington County residents showed positivity at 22% on Aug. 14, down from 37.1% a week earlier. About a month ago, the rate was 29.2%. The dashboard showed 73 tests were conducted in the county during the week ending Aug. 14.

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 65.6% vaccination rate among residents ages 5 and older, 60.8% for Saunders County, and 62.3% for Washington County as of Thursday. That amounts to 61% of all Dodge County residents, 58.5% of all Saunders County residents, and 60.3% of all Washington County residents.

CHI Health: Take more than one test

Douglas County update

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

DEATHS: DCHD reported eight COVID-19 deaths on Monday, most elderly and vaccinated.

“Six people 80 and older have died; four of them were vaccinated, and two were not,” the DCHD release states. “Four of these individuals were men. Two unvaccinated men between the ages of 55 and 65 also have died.”

The local COVID-19 pandemic death toll now stands at 1,162 people. About a year ago, the death toll was 744 people.

CASES: DCHD reported Thursday that 416 new COVID-19 cases had been confirmed since Thursday. About a year ago, DCHD was reporting that 418 cases had been confirmed during the previous weekend.

The latest recent cases bring the local pandemic total to 166,312 cases. The number of reinfections for the seven days ending Saturday, Aug. 20, was 137 cases, down from 177 cases the week prior.

The most recent case numbers lowered the seven-day average to 110 cases as of Monday, down from 117 cases on Thursday. According to the Douglas County COVID-19 dashboard, the rolling seven-day average per 100,000 people was 134.6 cases as of Sunday, down from 143.5 cases reported Thursday.

POSITIVITY RATE: The DCHD COVID-19 dashboard indicates the local positivity rate was at 17.4% as of Saturday, down from 19.3% reported the week prior. About a month ago, it was 23.4%; about two months ago, it was 18.4%. About a year ago, it was 8.6%.

HOSPITALIZATIONS: As of late Sunday, area hospitals were caring for 143 COVID-19 patients, down from 152 reported Thursday. Of those patients, nine were in pediatrics — four fewer than reported Thursday; 18 adult patients were in ICUs; and three people were on ventilators.

About a year ago, DCHD was reporting 145 area COVID-19 hospitalizations.

HOSPITAL CAPACITY: Area hospital capacity fluctuates according to staffing levels. As of late Sunday, hospitals were 81% full with 253 beds available, up from 124 reported Thursday. Area ICUs were 82% full with 53 beds available, up from 22 reported Thursday. Pediatric ICUs were 89% full with still 14 beds available. About a year ago, local hospitals were 77% full with 331 beds available, and ICUs were 76% full with 80 beds available.

VACCINATIONS: DCHD updated its COVID-19 dashboard in recent weeks and now includes vaccination data for ages 6 months to 4 years. To date, 3,869 pediatric doses have been administered in the county, resulting in 3.3% of Douglas County children in that age group being fully vaccinated.

Other vaccination numbers showed very slight increases from last week. To date, 67.3% of all Douglas County residents are vaccinated with 56.8% of eligible residents, fully vaccinated residents ages 5 and older, receiving their third dose. Of youth ages 5-11, 40.3% are vaccinated; and 69.1% of county youth ages 12-17 are fully vaccinated.

Lincoln-Lancaster County update

The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department reported 101 COVID-19 cases over the weekend, and 40 cases on Monday, bringing the community total there to 78,317 cases.

To date, LLCHD has reported 450 COVID-19 deaths. The most recent death was reported Thursday night: a man in his 60s who was unvaccinated and not hospitalized, according to the LLCHD new release.

Local hospitals there are caring for 46 COVID-19 patients, three of them on ventilators.

LLCHD reports that 132,667 booster doses have been administered and that 68.2% of the county’s population is fully vaccinated.

Novavax vaccine approved for ages 12-17

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.-3 p.m. at the Douglas County Health Department, located at 1111 S. 41st St. – All vaccines available for all ages

FRIDAY SEPT. 2

• 9 a.m.-3 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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