Monday Dec. 19 COVID-19 update: Douglas County reports 5 deaths, one of them pediatric

(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.

Douglas County update

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

DEATHS: The local health department reported five COVID-19 deaths including one pediatric death on Monday.

“A young woman under 18 with multiple underlying conditions has become the county’s third pediatric COVID-19 death. She had been vaccinated,” the DCHD release states.

The other deaths reported were older than age 60.

“One man and three women over the age of 60 have died. All of them had been vaccinated, but their current vaccination status is not known,” the release states.

Douglas County’s COVID-19 death toll now stands at 1,238 people.

CASES: DCHD reported Monday that 491 new COVID-19 cases had been confirmed since Thursday’s report.

The DCHD dashboard indicated the rolling seven-day average per 100,000 people was at 326.1 cases as of Sunday, but that also included a backlog of several months’ worth of confirmed cases reported Thursday.

The latest recent cases bring the local pandemic total to 176,812 cases.

POSITIVITY RATE: The DCHD COVID-19 dashboard indicates the local positivity rate shot up to 24.6% as of Saturday, compared to 14.4% reported a week prior. That percentage comes from a total of 8,034 tests processed, up from about 6,400 tests recorded in each of the two weeks prior.

About a month ago, positivity was 11.4%; about two months ago, it was 10.2%. About a year ago, it was 10.3%.

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

HOSPITALIZATIONS: As of Sunday, area hospitals were caring for 166 adult COVID-19 patients, up from 158 reported Thursday. Of the current patients, seven were in pediatrics and nine adults were in ICUs; no patients were on ventilators.

Additionally, five adult patients were awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test.

About a year ago, DCHD was reporting 288 area COVID-19 hospitalizations.

HOSPITAL CAPACITY: Area hospital capacity fluctuates according to staffing levels. As of Sunday, hospitals were 84% full with 170 beds available, up from 144 reported Thursday. Area ICUs were 75% full with 74 beds available, up from 66 reported Thursday. Pediatric ICUs were 88% full with seven beds available, one more than reported Thursday. About a year ago, local hospitals were 85% full with 208 beds available, and ICUs were 92% full with 25 beds available.

VACCINATIONS: The data on the DCHD dashboard show minimal to no increases in vaccination rates. To date, 10,309 pediatric doses — for ages 6 months to 4 years — have been administered in the county, resulting in 10.1% of Douglas County children in that age group being fully vaccinated.

Vaccination numbers among other age groups are at 68.8% of all Douglas County residents are vaccinated with 61.7% of eligible residents, ages 12 and older, receiving their booster or additional doses. Of youth ages 5-11, 42.4% are vaccinated; and 70.4% of county youth ages 12-17 are fully vaccinated.

Sarpy/Cass data snapshot

The Sarpy/Cass Health Department no longer publishes its COVID-19 dashboard. Instead, the health department posts a COVID-19 summary, which was last updated at 8:35 a.m. Monday, pulling numbers from the CDC COVID data tracker.

DEATHS: To date, the Sarpy/Cass Health Department has reported 320 COVID-19 deaths in Sarpy County and 48 deaths in Cass County. The dashboard does not provide any information about their age ranges or pre-existing conditions.

CASES: As of Monday, the dashboard was still reporting 313 active cases of COVID-19 in Sarpy County and 42 in Cass County in the past seven days. The health district no longer provides demographic information for cases, and it doesn’t provide cumulative totals.

POSITIVITY RATE: The CDC COVID data tracker is showing “low” community levels for both Sarpy and Cass counties. According to the dashboard, the positivity rate for Sarpy County is 15.3%, down from 15.7% the week prior; and 14.2% in Cass County, down from 17.2% the week prior. Two weeks ago, it was 17.7% across the health district.

The case rates per 100,000 people are 167.2 for Sarpy County, up from 163.5 last week; and remained at 160 for Cass County.

HOSPITALIZATIONS: The Sarpy/Cass Health Department is still reporting 17 COVID-19 hospitalizations in Sarpy County and two in Cass County. The new admissions per 100,000 people were at 8.8 for both counties, down from 9.2 the week prior.

VACCINATIONS: According to the CDC COVID tracker, vaccination rates remained at 69.2% in Sarpy County, and 64.3% in Cass County.

Three Rivers data snapshot

Here’s the latest data reported by the CDC COVID data tracker.

CASES: As of Monday, the tracker was reporting that for the week ending Dec. 14, there were 68 active cases of COVID-19 in Dodge County, 14 in Saunders County, and 21 in Washington County.

POSITIVITY RATE: The CDC COVID data tracker is showing “low” community levels for both Dodge, Saunders, and Washington counties. According to the data, the positivity rate is at 16.5% for Dodge County, down from 20% reported a week ago; 14% in Saunders County, down slightly from 14.5% a week ago; and 25% for Washington County.

The case rates per 100,000 people are 786.8 for Dodge County, up from 186 reported a week ago and 303.6 two weeks ago; 64.8 for Saunders County, down from 97.3 a week prior; and 511.9 for Washington County, up from 241.2 a week ago.

HOSPITALIZATIONS: The CDC is reporting COVID-19 hospitalizations in the health district account for 7.1% of all hospitalizations in the three counties, with new COVID-19 patient admissions per 100,000 people accounting for 8.8%, down from 9.3%. COVID-19 hospitalizations currently account for 5.6% of staffed ICU beds for the three counties.

VACCINATIONS: According to the CDC COVID tracker, vaccination rates remained at 55.8% in Dodge County, 54.8% in Saunders County, and 57.9% in Washington County.

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.

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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