KFOR FM 101.5 1240 AM KFOR FM 101.5 1240 AM Logo

Two More Covid-19 Deaths In Lincoln Thursday

February 3, 2022 5:20PM CST
Share
Two More Covid-19 Deaths In Lincoln Thursday

Lincoln, NE (February 3, 2022) The City-County health department reported two more deaths from Covid 19 today.  They included a man in his 30’s and a woman in her 70’s. The pandemic has so far taken 397 lives in Lancaster County. 693 new cases were also confirmed today.

COMPLETE DAILY INFORMATION SUMMARY

Lab-confirmed cases reported today: 693 (Today’s case total includes data that wasn’t received yesterday due to technical difficulties at the state).

Total cases: 67,361

Deaths reported today: 2, a man in his 30s who was not hospitalized, and a woman in her 70s who was hospitalized. Both were unvaccinated.

Total number of deaths: 397

Hospitalizations for COVID-19 patients: 128 with 91 from Lancaster County (6 on ventilators) and 37 from other communities (4 on ventilators). Note: The hospitalization number includes patients who no longer test positive for COVID-19 but continue to be hospitalized.

Risk Dial: red – risk of COVID-19 spread and impact in the community is severe

Directed Health Measure:  The DHM is effective through February 11 and includes a mask requirement for all individuals ages 2 and older regardless of vaccination status. More information on the health measure and masks is available at lincoln.ne.gov/DHM and lincoln.ne.gov/mask.

Vaccinations administered:

  • Initiated vaccinations (first doses): 225,573
  • Completed vaccinations (second doses and J&J vaccine): 209,566
  • Lancaster County residents who are fully vaccinated: 65.7%

Variant update:

Omicron – The omicron variant continues to spread in Lancaster County. Omicron details include:

  • Omicron cases increase more rapidly than earlier forms of the virus.
  • Those who are vaccinated will need a booster dose to protect themselves and others from omicron.
  • Those who are unvaccinated are at greater risk of contracting the omicron variant.
  • Those who have previously had COVID-19 do not have a natural immunity that prevents them from being infected with omicron.

Delta – The delta variant continues to circulate in Lancaster County and impacts the number of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths.

Coronavirus samples are regularly sent to the Nebraska Public Health Laboratory for variant testing. For more information about variants, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/variants/index.html.

Vaccinations:

The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department (LLCHD) is now focusing on fully vaccinating 75% of the entire population of Lancaster County. Those experiencing some of the most severe outcomes from COVID-19 are unvaccinated. LLCHD strongly urges everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated. Vaccination helps prevent severe illness, saves lives, and slows further spread of the virus.

Residents age 5 and older are eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccine. Find a clinic near you at COVID19.lincoln.ne.gov. Walk-ins are welcome or schedule an appointment. Residents can also find a local pharmacy offering vaccinations at vaccines.gov or by texting their ZIP code to 438829. Those who do not have online access or who need assistance with registration or scheduling may call LLCHD at 402-441-4200 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

Upcoming vaccination clinics (schedule subject to change; walk-ins welcome at all locations)

  • Friday, February 4, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., LLCHD, 3131 “O” St.
  • Saturday, February 5, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Culler Middle School, 5201 Vine St.
  • Sunday, February 6, 9 a.m. to noon, Culler Middle School
  • Monday, February 7, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., LLCHD

All clinics will offer first and second doses for age 5 and older, Pfizer booster doses for age 12 and older, and Moderna booster doses for age 18 and older.

Booster doses

The CDC has approved booster doses for the Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccines. LLCHD is currently providing booster doses to anyone who falls within the current CDC recommendations.

CDC booster recommendations:

  • Pfizer: Pfizer booster doses are recommended at five months after a second dose for those age 12 and older.
  • Moderna: Moderna booster doses are recommended at five months after a second dose for those age 18 and older.
  • Johnson and Johnson: Booster doses of the J&J vaccine are recommended two or more months after the initial dose for those age 18 and older.

Several local pharmacies provide booster doses and many offer all three types of COVID-19 vaccines. You can find a pharmacy near you at vaccines.gov or by texting your zip code to 438829. CDC recommendations also allow people to choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. Some may prefer to get the same type of vaccine that they originally received, and others may prefer to get a different booster.

Testing: The process begins with a free online risk assessment available at BryanHealth.com and CHIHealth.com. Testing is available from:

  • Bryan Health: All rapid COVID-19 testing will be done at Bryan’s NorthPointe Urgent Care location at 5901 N. 27th St. Appointments are required and can be scheduled by visiting bryanhealth.org/covid-testing. PCR testing continues to be available at Bryan’s two other urgent care locations – Lifepointe, 7501 S. 27th St. and Southeast, 4333 S. 86th St. Appointments are required and can be scheduled by visiting bryanurgentcare.org.
  • CHI Health: Walk-in testing is available at three priority care locations: Antelope Creek, 2510 S. 40th St., Suite 100; Southwest, 1240 Aries Drive; and Stevens Creek, 1601 N. 86th St. For drive up testing, virtual quick care is available 24/7 at CHIHealth.com to chat with a provider and schedule a testing appointment.
  • Nomi Health: Drive-thru testing is available at Gateway Mall. Appointments are required. Register at testing.nomihealth.com/signup/ne.
  • LLCHD/TotalWellness: Drive-thru testing is available 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday at 1918 “O” St. Appointments are required. Visit totalwellnesshealth.com/lincoln to schedule an appointment.
  • Local pharmacies including CVS, HyVee and Walgreens, health care provider offices and urgent care clinics also offer testing. Those uninsured or underinsured can call the LLCHD COVID-19 hotline at 402-441-8006 to be connected to testing resources.

At-home tests: Every household in the U.S. is eligible to receive four free at-home COVID-19 tests from the federal government. Visit covidtests.gov to place an order.

For more information, visit COVID19.lincoln.ne.gov or call the LLCHD hotline at 402-441-8006.

Lincoln News