Tuesday Oct. 11 COVID-19 update: Positivity falls in Douglas County, Sarpy/Cass health districts

(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 stands at 359 people.

The dashboard does not specify in which county those deaths have occurred, nor does it provide any information about their age ranges or pre-existing conditions.

CASES: As of Tuesday, the dashboard reported that were 179 active cases of COVID-19 in Sarpy County, down from 197 indicated on the dashboard about a week ago; and 23 in Cass County, up from 21 last week. To date, Sarpy/Cass has confirmed 55,842 cases of COVID-19 in Sarpy County, which is 103 more than reported last week; and 6,770 in Cass County, an increase of 17 cases since last week.

Of the health district’s current active cases, most are in their 50s, with 31 cases reported in that age range. There are also 22 active cases among youth ages 14 and younger, down from 27 cases reported a week ago. Six of those active pediatric cases — five 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 9.3% as of Saturday, down from the adjusted rate of 11.3% recorded a week prior. A month ago, it was 17.8%; about two months ago, it was 24.8%. About a year ago, it was 10%.

The lab ran 100 tests in the week ending Saturday, compared to 104 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 no 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. Because of the Monday holiday this week, that update was shared on Tuesday.

DEATHS: The local COVID-19 pandemic death toll stands at 1,194 people.

CASES: DCHD also reported Tuesday that 178 new COVID-19 cases had been confirmed since Thursday’s report. About a year ago, DCHD was reporting that 462 cases had been confirmed during the previous three days.

The most recent case numbers increased the seven-day average to 47 cases. The DCHD dashboard indicated the rolling seven-day average per 100,000 people was at 53.7 cases as of Thursday.

The latest recent cases bring the local pandemic total to 170,127 cases.

POSITIVITY RATE: The DCHD COVID-19 dashboard indicates the local positivity rate was at 8.6% as of Saturday, Oct. 1, down from an adjusted 10.4% reported the week prior. That’s from 356 tests, down from 473 tests recorded a week prior.

About a month ago, positivity was 17.6%; about two months ago, it was 22.3%. About a year ago, it was 7.8%.

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

HOSPITALIZATIONS: As of Monday, area hospitals were caring for 100 adult COVID-19 patients, 11 fewer than reported Thursday and the lowest number reported since June 23. Of those patients, 16 adults were in ICUs, and three were on ventilators. Additionally, two adult patients were awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test.

A year ago, DCHD was reporting 202 area COVID-19 hospitalizations.

HOSPITAL CAPACITY: Area hospital capacity fluctuates according to staffing levels. As of Monday, hospitals were 88% full with 169 beds available, down from 245 reported Thursday. Area ICUs were 91% full with 27 beds available, down from 35 reported Thursday. Pediatric ICUs were 85% full with 19 beds available, down from 28 reported Thursday. About a year ago, local hospitals were 85% full with 202 beds available, and ICUs were 83% full with 49 beds available.

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

To date, 7,059 pediatric doses — for ages 6 months to 4 years — have been administered in the county, resulting in 6.4% of Douglas County children in that age group being fully vaccinated.

Vaccination numbers among other age groups showed no changes from recent reports. To date, 67.9% 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, 41.4% are vaccinated; and 69.7% of county youth ages 12-17 are fully vaccinated.

VACCINATIONS

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.

WEDNESDAY

• 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Clair Memorial United Methodist Church, located at 5544 Ames Ave. – Pfizer bivalent boosters for ages 12 and older

FRIDAY

• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Douglas County Health Department, located at 1111 S. 41st. St. – Primary series for ages 6 months & older; boosters for ages 5-11, and Pfizer bivalent boosters for ages 12 and older

SATURDAY

• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the American Red Cross, 2912 S. 84th Ave. – Pfizer bivalent boosters for ages 12 and older

FRIDAY, OCT. 21

• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Douglas County Health Department, located at 1111 S. 41st. St. – Primary series for ages 6 months & older; boosters for ages 5-11, and Pfizer bivalent boosters for ages 12 and older

SATURDAY, OCT. 22

• 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Girls Inc., located at 2811 N. 45th St. – Pfizer bivalent boosters for ages 12 and older

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 and boosters for ages 5 and older 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.

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:

• 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, 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

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