Thursday Dec. 29 COVID-19 update: 2 deaths in Douglas County, 1 in Pottawattamie

(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, found on the Nebraska Public Health Atlas. That dashboard does not include data on COVID-19 hospitalizations or deaths, hospital capacity, or vaccinations.

CASES & POSITIVITY: Testing numbers across the state continued to decline. The week ending Dec. 24 showed 14,895 tests conducted — about 7,000 fewer than the previous week. In the same time period, positivity rates fell slightly from an adjusted 13.3% to 13.1%. Positivity rates continued to be higher than they were at the same time this year in 2021 and 2020.

About a month ago, it was 14.4%; two months ago, it was 10.1%. 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.

Influenza numbers, also available on the dashboard, have declined in the past week — after several weeks of increases — but so have the number of tests conducted. The positivity rate as of Dec. 24 was 32.2% down from 36.2% among 6,268 tests conducted, down from 9,102 last week.

RSV numbers continued to decline. RSV positivity fell from an adjusted 7.5% to 7% in the past week among a decreasing number of tests. Last week, 3,984 tests were conducted compared to 5,539 tests conducted the week before.

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: The IDPH website indicates the county reported one COVID-19 death in the past week, bringing the pandemic death toll there to 347 people. The health department does not provide any demographic information or vaccination status for COVID-19 deaths.

The website also shows the pandemic death toll for all of Iowa is 10,423 people, an increase of 36 people in the past week.

CASES: The county’s pandemic totals are at 32,308 positive tests, an increase of 118 tests since last week; and 27,590 cases, an increase of 88 cases since last week.

The website also shows that the average per 100,000 people in the county is 88 cases; and that 82 positive tests were reported in the past seven days.

Douglas County update

The Douglas County Health Department reports COVID-19 data twice weekly, issuing updated stats on Mondays and Thursdays. Due to weather and holiday schedule changes in recent days, Thursday’s report was filed on Friday, and Monday’s report was filed on Tuesday.

DEATHS: The local health department reported two COVID-19 deaths on Thursday.

“A man and a woman, both over the age of 75, have died. Both had been vaccinated, but their current vaccination status is not known,” the DCHD release states.

Douglas County’s COVID-19 death toll now stands at 1,248 people.

CASES: DCHD reported Thursday that 218 new COVID-19 cases had been confirmed since Tuesday’s report.

The most recent case numbers caused a decline in the seven-day average since Friday, falling to 84 cases from 147 cases. The DCHD dashboard indicated the rolling seven-day average per 100,000 people was at 88.4 cases as of Wednesday.

The latest recent cases bring the local pandemic total to 178,046 cases.

POSITIVITY RATE: The DCHD dashboard on Thursday indicated the community level was still at “high.”

The DCHD COVID-19 dashboard indicates the local positivity rate fell to 18.2% as of Saturday, compared to 24.6% reported a week prior and 14.4% two weeks ago. That percentage comes from a total of 6,057 tests processed, down from about 8,000 tests recorded last week, but only about 300 less than the test totals reported in each of the two weeks prior.

About a month ago, positivity was 12.5%; about two months ago, it was 9.1%. About a year ago, it was 11.7%.

HOSPITALIZATIONS: As of Thursday, area hospitals were caring for 135 adult COVID-19 patients, up from 123 reported Tuesday. Of the current patients, nine were in pediatrics, 14 adults were in ICUs, and three patients were on ventilators.

Additionally, six adult patients and one pediatric patient were awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test.

A year ago, DCHD was reporting 296 area COVID-19 hospitalizations.

HOSPITAL CAPACITY: Area hospital capacity fluctuates according to staffing levels. As of Wednesday, hospitals were 82% full with 304 beds available, down from 479 reported Tuesday. Area ICUs were 75% full with 75 beds available, down from 88 reported Tuesday. Pediatric ICUs were 80% full with nine beds available, down from 11 reported on Tuesday. A year ago, local hospitals were 86% full with 164 beds available, ICUs were 88% full with 35 beds available, and pediatric ICUs were 90% full with 13 beds available.

VACCINATIONS: The data on the DCHD dashboard show some increases in vaccination data. To date, 10,515 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 61.8% of eligible residents, ages 12 and older, receiving their booster or additional doses. Of youth ages 5-11, 42.6% are vaccinated; and 70.5% 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

Douglas County Health Department has a list of all available COVID-19 vaccination clinics on its website. All clinics are open to the public for any approved shot in the vaccination series as indicated. 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 hosts walk-in COVID-19 vaccination clinics periodically on Saturdays. No ID is required, but a parent or guardian must be present at the clinic with teens ages 12-18. The church also distributes at-home test kits.

MCC FORT OMAHA: Metropolitan Community College’s Fort Omaha campus is 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 regular vaccination clinics on 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 by appointment only. Appointments can be scheduled online.

Sarpy/Cass health district

The Sarpy/Cass Health Department offers the first and second doses of Pfizer and Modern vaccines, Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) single doses, pediatric and infant 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 provides COVID-19 vaccinations during its regular walk-in clinic hours. While the health department does have access to Pfizer and Moderna doses, it’s recommended that you call ahead to make sure they have a current stock of the vaccine formula you’re looking for.

The health department suggests you print and fill out paperwork ahead of your arrival.

Vaccinations are offered during the following Fremont clinic hours at 2400 N. Lincoln Ave.:

• 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays-Wednesdays
• 8-11:30 a.m. and 1-6:30 p.m. Thursdays
• 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Fridays

The Three Rivers clinic, located at 1320 E. 31st St. across from Lake Wanahoo, 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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