Monday Oct. 3 COVID-19 update: Sarpy/Cass health department reports 6 deaths

Douglas County also reported 1 COVID-19 death
The Douglas County Health Department says numbers are improving to levels we haven't seen since the beginning of the omicron surge.
Published: Oct. 3, 2022 at 3:51 PM CDT
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(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 in the health district recorded six COVID-19 deaths since last week. The death toll now stands at 359 people.

The dashboard no longer specifies in which county those deaths have occurred. The dashboard also does not provide any information about their age ranges or pre-existing conditions.

CASES: As of Monday, the dashboard reported that were 197 active cases of COVID-19 in Sarpy County, down from 265 indicated on the dashboard a week ago; and 21 in Cass County, down from 34 last week. To date, Sarpy/Cass has confirmed 55,739 cases of COVID-19 in Sarpy County, which is 111 more than reported last week; and 6,753 in Cass County, an increase of eight cases since last week.

Of the health district’s current active cases, most are in their 50s, with 41 cases reported in that age range. There are also 27 active cases among youth ages 14 and younger, down from 39 cases reported a week ago. Eleven of those active pediatric cases — eight fewer than reported about a week ago — are 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 10.9% as of Saturday, up slightly from the 10.6% rate recorded a week prior. A month ago, it was 17.8%; about two months ago, it was 24.8%. The lab ran 104 tests in the week ending Saturday, compared to 121 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 increases in vaccination rates among residents this week compared to last week, standing at 67.8% in Sarpy County, and 63.5% in Cass County.

Douglas County update

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

DEATHS: The health department reported one recent COVID-19 death on Monday.

“An unvaccinated man over 70 has died,” the release states.

The local COVID-19 pandemic death toll now stands at 1,190 people.

CASES: DCHD also reported Monday that 158 new COVID-19 cases had been confirmed since Thursday’s report. About a year ago, DCHD was reporting that 356 cases had been confirmed over the previous weekend.

The most recent case numbers lowered the seven-day average to 45 cases — the lowest it’s been since May 3. The DCHD dashboard indicated the rolling seven-day average per 100,000 people decreased from 62.5 cases to 55.7 cases as of Saturday.

The latest recent cases bring the local pandemic total to 169,809 cases. The Douglas County COVID-19 dashboard also indicates that the last recorded number of reinfections for a rotating seven days ending was 70 cases as of Saturday, down from 84 reported last week.

POSITIVITY RATE: The DCHD COVID-19 dashboard indicates the local positivity rate was at 9% as of Saturday, down from an adjusted 9.7% reported the week prior. About a month ago, it was 17.3%; about two months ago, it was 22%. About a year ago, it was 7.4%.

The DCHD dashboard on Monday indicated the community level remained “low.”

HOSPITALIZATIONS: As of late Sunday, area hospitals were caring for 106 adult COVID-19 patients, down from 108 patients reported Thursday. Of those patients, 19 adults were in ICUs, and seven were on ventilators. Additionally, five adult patients were awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test.

About a year ago, DCHD was reporting 195 area COVID-19 hospitalizations.

HOSPITAL CAPACITY: Area hospital capacity fluctuates according to staffing levels. As of late Sunday, hospitals were 82% full with 245 beds available, up from 162 reported Thursday. Area ICUs were 88% full with 35 beds available, down from 45 reported Thursday. Pediatric ICUs were 79% full with 28 beds available — four more than reported Thursday. About a year ago, local hospitals were 82% full with 241 beds available, and ICUs were 82% full with 53 beds available.

VACCINATIONS: The county’s COVID-19 dashboard indicated slight increases in some vaccination data since Thursday.

To date, 6,884 pediatric doses — for ages 6 months to 4 years — have been administered in the county, resulting in 6.3% of Douglas County children in that age group being fully vaccinated.

Vaccination numbers among other age groups showed very small changes from recent reports. To date, 67.8% of all Douglas County residents are vaccinated with 57.7% of eligible residents, fully vaccinated residents ages 5 and older, receiving their booster or third dose. Of youth ages 5-11, 41.3% are vaccinated; and 69.7% of county youth ages 12-17 are fully vaccinated.

VACCINATION CLINICS

Retail pharmacies

Vaccine sign-ups: Baker’s | CVS | Hy-Vee | Kohll’s | Kubat | Medicine Man Pharmacy | Sam’s Club | ViaRx | 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, 1111 S. 41st. St. – Primary series for ages 6 months & older; boosters for ages 5-11

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.

The Douglas County health department is asking residents to report any home-test result using...

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 and boosters for ages 5 and older at the following clinics:

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 vaccinations by appointment at:

For those looking for walk-in appointments, Pfizer vaccinations will be available at these outpatient pharmacies:

  • Bellevue Health Center, located at 25th Street and Highway 370, will offer vaccinations from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; and from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturdays
  • Durham Outpatient Center, located at 45th and Emile streets, will offer vaccinations from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. weekdays; and from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the weekends

Novavax vaccinations are available at these outpatient pharmacies:

  • Lauritzen Outpatient Center, located at 40th and Leavenworth streets, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays
  • UNL Health Center, located at 550 N. 19th St. in Lincoln, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m.-noon

Pfizer vaccinations for children ages 6-12 are available at Lauritzen Outpatient Center, located at 40th and Leavenworth streets, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays.

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 Church 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 lists scheduled vaccination clinics for all COVID-19 vaccine doses, including pediatric and infant doses, in its health district, noting that most are by appointment.

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.

The health department offers immunization clinics at Midlands Medical Building One, located at 11109 S 84th St, Suite 1820, in Papillion, NE 68046

  • 4-7 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month
  • 9 a.m.-noon on the second, third, and fourth Thursdays of the month

Pottawattamie County

The Pottawattamie County Public Health Department no longer hosts COVID-19 vaccination clinics, instead urging residents to receive their shots at area pharmacies.

Free take-home test kits are available at:

  • Pottawattamie County Public Health Department office, located at 600 S. Fourth St., Suite 100, in Council Bluffs
  • All Care Health Center, located at 902 S. Sixth St. in Council Bluffs
  • Super Saver Pharmacy, located at 1411 N Broadway in Council Bluffs
  • CHI Health Clinics
  • Methodist Health Clinics
  • Avoca Journal-Herald Newspaper
  • City Halls in Carson, Carter Lake, Macedonia, Oakland, Treynor, Underwood, and Walnut

Three Rivers health district

Three Rivers Public Health Department has walk-in COVID-19 vaccination clinics at:

  • Children ages 6 months to 4 years: From 9-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays at the Three Rivers office at 2400 N. Lincoln Ave. in Fremont.
  • Ages 5 and older: From 1-4 p.m. Tuesdays at the Three Rivers office at 2400 N. Lincoln Ave. in Fremont.
  • In Wahoo: 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.

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