Sarpy County and the Omaha area’s Covid-19 cases go down, most recent data shows

Emma MillerSeptember 20, 2022

Omaha, Nebraska – 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.

DEATHS: The latest update to the Sarpy/Cass Health Department COVID-19 dashboard shows the pandemic death toll in the health district stands at 353 people.

The dashboard no longer indicates 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 328 active cases of COVID-19 in Sarpy County, down from 413 indicated on the dashboard a week ago; and 34 in Cass County, down from 68 reported last week. To date, Sarpy/Cass has confirmed 55,507 cases of COVID-19 in Sarpy County, which is 232 more than reported last week; and 6,727 in Cass County, an increase of 26 cases since last week.

Of the health district’s current active cases, most are in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s: 51 cases in their 20s, 48 in their 30s and another 48 in their 40s, and 54 in their 50s. There are also 76 active cases among youth ages 14 and younger, down from 98 cases reported about a week ago; with 39 of those active pediatric cases — 13 more than reported about a week ago — 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 14.6% as of Saturday, down from an adjusted 16.6% a week prior. About a month ago it was 22.4%; about two months ago, it was 25.3%. The lab ran 169 tests in the week ending Saturday, compared to 116 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 almost no change in vaccination rates among residents this week compared to last week, standing at 67.5% in Sarpy County, and 63.2% in Cass County.

Three Rivers risk levels remain low

Three Rivers Public Health Department replaced its COVID-19 dashboard with links to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services COVID-19 information page and the CDC, as well as a link to the CDC dropdown widget, which lets users find the risk level for their county.

As of Monday, the widget was still showing the risk levels for Dodge, Saunders, and Washington counties as “low.” About two weeks ago, it was at “medium.”

Douglas County update

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

DEATHS: The health department reported two recent COVID-19 deaths on Monday.

“An unvaccinated man in his 60s has died and a vaccinated man in his 70s also has died,” the release states.

The local COVID-19 pandemic death toll now stands at 1,183 people.

CASES: DCHD also reported Monday that 200 new COVID-19 cases had been confirmed since Thursday’s report. About a year ago, DCHD was reporting that 358 cases had been confirmed over the previous weekend.

The most recent case numbers lowered the seven-day average from 79 cases on Thursday to 67 cases — the lowest it’s been since May 9. The DCHD dashboard indicated Thursday that the rolling seven-day average per 100,000 people decreased from 97 cases as of Wednesday to 82.3 cases as of Thursday.

The latest recent cases bring the local pandemic total to 169,101 cases. The Douglas County COVID-19 dashboard also indicates that the last recorded number of reinfections for a rotating seven days ending was 117 cases.

POSITIVITY RATE: The DCHD COVID-19 dashboard indicates the local positivity rate was at 11.9% as of Saturday, down from an adjusted 15.7% reported the week prior. About a month ago, it was 17.4%; about two months ago, it was 21.7%. About a year ago, it was 7.7%.

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

HOSPITALIZATIONS: As of late Sunday, area hospitals were caring for 134 COVID-19 patients, down from 143 patients reported Thursday. Of those patients, four were pediatric patients; 18 adult patients were in ICUs; and five people were on ventilators. Additionally, three adult patients were awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test.

About a year ago, DCHD was reporting 185 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 174 reported Thursday. Area ICUs were 87% full with 37 beds available, up from 20 reported Thursday. Pediatric ICUs were 90% full with 13 beds available — four fewer than reported Thursday. About a year ago, local hospitals were 83% full with 236 beds available, and ICUs were 80% full with 51 beds available.

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

To date, 6,167 pediatric doses — for ages 6 months to 4 years — have been administered in the county, resulting in 5.4% of Douglas County children in that age group being fully vaccinated.

Vaccination numbers among other age groups showed slight increases from last week. To date, 67.6% of all Douglas County residents are vaccinated. Of youth ages 5-11, 41.1% are vaccinated; and 69.6% of county youth ages 12-17 are fully vaccinated.

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

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 Clair Memorial United Methodist Church, 5544 Ames Ave. – COVID boosters for ages 12+
9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Douglas County Health Department, 1111 S. 41st. St. – Pediatric series for ages 6 months and older & boosters for ages 5-11
10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Millard North High School, 1010 S. 144th St. – COVID boosters for ages 12+
Drive-through clinic from 4-7 p.m. at the Salem Baptist, located at 3131 Lake St. – COVID boosters for ages 12+
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.”

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 is planning to offer dedicated COVID-19 vaccination clinics for about a month, starting by Thursday, Nov. 11 — or sooner, if they are supplied the doses before that.

5-7 p.m. Thursdays at West Village Pointe and Spring Valley offices
8 a.m.-noon Saturdays at West Village Pointe and Spring Valley offices

After Saturday, Dec. 11, pediatric COVID-19 vaccinations will be available by appointment at any Children’s Hospital location.

Tuesday and Thursday appointments available at the Mission Village location, 16909 Q St. Call 402-955-7575 or 402-955-SHOT (7468) for available times.
Thursday and Friday appointments available at the Dundee location, 4825 Dodge St. Call 402-955-7676 or 402-955-SHOT (7468) for available times.
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 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 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

Vaccine information: Douglas County | Douglas County clinics | Nebraska || Iowa | Pottawattamie County | Mills County | Fremont County

COVID-19 risk dials: Douglas County | Lincoln-Lancaster County

WOWT.com quick search: COVID-19 | Coronavirus | Vaccine

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 has increased by three people in the past week. The death toll for the health district is now 353 people; the dashboard no longer indicates in which county those deaths have occurred.

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

CASES: As of Tuesday, the dashboard reported that were 413 active cases of COVID-19 in Sarpy County, down from 473 reported about a week ago; and 68 in Cass County, down from 91 indicated on the dashboard last week. To date, Sarpy/Cass has confirmed 55,275 cases of COVID-19 in Sarpy County, which is 99 more than reported last week; and 6,701 in Cass County, an increase of nine cases since last week.

Of the health district’s current active cases, most are in their 20s, 40s, and 50s: 73 cases in their 20s, 66 in their 40s, and 69 in their 50s. There are also 76 active cases among youth ages 14 and younger, down from 98 cases reported about a week ago; with 26 of those active pediatric cases — 11 fewer more than reported about a week ago — among children ages 4 or younger, the age group most recently approved for COVID-19 vaccination.

Emma MillerSeptember 20, 2022